Perimeter alarm not working; not sure since when

[TimmyB]

So, an owner was asking a question about how the alarm worked when using the Securicode keyless entry. Before I responded, I went out to my truck to double-check. Apparently, not at all was the answer.

I put my window down, then locked the door with the push-button panel. (Just to be safe and make sure it wasn't "reading" the nearby key, I put the key up on my deck, 25 feet away.) I reached in the truck and opened the door. Door opened. No alarm of any kind. Got the key from the deck, sat in the driver's seat, engine started. This can't be right.

Tried again, this time locking the door with the smart key. Went through the entire same thing. Exact same results!

To make sure the system actually was connected, I pressed the panic button on the smart key; lights and horns , as expected.

There is no setting for this that I can find in the menus. I have used Forscan in the past to set a few things but seriously, I am very conservative about that use. The only thing that is even close to this is the "double-honk" which I have disabled. This can't turn off the alarm system, can it???

Anyone have any experience with this? I'm all ears. It's very concerning to me as I am one who constantly leaves my key in the truck to go out for a run. Anyone breaks in, they not only have my truck, they have it with no sound to alert anyone nearby.

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[D Fresh]

Perimeter alarm is not a factory option as far as I know and is completely separate from the securicode keypad which simply locks the vehicle.

Sounds like you're confused as to what you have AND how to work it.

 

[AzScorpion]

Perimeter alarm is not a factory option as far as I know and is completely separate from the securicode keypad which simply locks the vehicle.

Sounds like you're confused as to what you have AND how to work it.

Psst...Sounds like you're confused and what you get from the factory. From my new window sticker. ?

 

[D Fresh]

Psst...Sounds like you're confused and what you get from the factory. From my new window sticker. ?

"As far as I know"

There is the shock sensing add on that many people have installed which is what I believe he is talking about.

Regardless, it is not the same thing as the keypad.

 

[D Fresh]

Op needs to buy the optional perimeter plus alarm to get what he wants I believe.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/ford-perimeter-plus-alarm-system.15376/

 

[TimmyB]

It should have the alarm system when I lock with the fob, regardless of the Securicode pad, though. I lock with the fob and get nothing.

 

[AzScorpion]

"As far as I know"

There is the shock sensing add on that many people have installed which is what I believe he is talking about.

Regardless, it is not the same thing as the keypad.

The perimeter alarm should still work with the keypad. I don't have one but if my window(s) are down and I reach in and try to unlock the door the alarm goes off. A keypad shouldn't override this and if it does somethings wrong.

 

[D Fresh]

It should have the alarm system when I lock with the fob, regardless of the Securicode pad, though. I lock with the fob and get nothing.

It's been determined by folks here that the factory "alarm" really doesn't do anything and that if you want coverage the perimeter plus add on is needed.

 

[TimmyB]

The perimeter alarm should still work with the keypad. I don't have one but if my window(s) are down and I reach in and try to unlock the door the alarm goes off. A keypad shouldn't override this and if it does somethings wrong.

It's not working with EITHER! That's why I'm pretty sure this is messed up.

 

[AzScorpion]

It's been determined by folks here that the factory "alarm" really doesn't do anything and that if you want coverage the perimeter plus add on is needed.

I think that's true but it should still set off the alarm when his windows are open and you reach it and try to unlock it. My '19 did and so does my '23.

 

[D Fresh]

The perimeter alarm should still work with the keypad. I don't have one but if my window(s) are down and I reach in and try to unlock the door the alarm goes off. A keypad shouldn't override this and if it does somethings wrong.

It's never worked like that on my Lariat.

 

[Ranger Lariat]

I’m confused too.


LARIAT / TREMOR - 501A

 

[D Fresh]

I think that's true but it should still set off the alarm when his windows are open and you reach it and try to unlock it. My '19 did and so does my '23.

Go double check.

That's not how my '20 Lariat with factory "alarm" operates.

 

[D Fresh]

I'm telling you guys the factory "alarm" doesn't do anything.

 

[TimmyB]

OK, so an update. I talked with the owner of my local Ford dealer and he suggested that there was a time setting built in that must be hit before the alarm is set. He didn't know if it was 5 minutes or 15 minutes or whatever but he said it's not like you lock the doors and boom, the system is "armed".

I came home and locked the doors with the fob then went to do other projects, including reading all of these messages on this thread. I just now walked outside and reached in and unlocked the doors. The alarm didn't go off but the dashboard had a message with a beeping sound saying something to the effect that the alarm had been triggered and I better start the car to stop it. Then the beeping got faster. Then it got really fast. Then, sure enough, the horn and lights went crazy!

I killed it with the fob then relocked the door, this time using the Securicode pad. I'll wait an hour and go back and hopefully get the same results.

So, apparently he was 100% correct. There is a time threshold that must be met before the alarm system is considered "armed". Kind of strange, to me. If this is the way it works, a thief would know that the best time to break in is right after you left your vehicle.

Thanks for all the replies. I'll let you know what I discover in the next test.

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