Escort Immobiliser Nightmare (1.3L 1994)

[jdubya]

The immobiliser on my 1994 Ford Escort 1.3 is permanently on. Locking and un-locking the door will not switch it off and the alarm sounds every time I open the door. The AA recovery man disconnected the alarm so there is no audible alarm now but when you open the door you can hear the relay clicking and the engine fails to start with the key.

I have read on forums that removing the fuse from the relay board (not fuse board) allows you to start the car but affects the central locking. This didn't work for me, the engine will not turn over at all. Is there any way round this fault? Is it a key re-programming job or is there a simple(ish) work-around? I have some electronics knowledge.

Thanks very much,

JDubya

[mr.c]

Is it the chipped key model?

my L reg wasnt a chipped key.

If its not a chipped key ----

there is a black box behind the drivers side kick panel, which controls the alarm, the central locking and the immobilliser. sometimes you can unplug them then put them back and it will work. or you would have to replace it with another one from the scrapyard but it would have to be from the same model.

that said - you can bypass it (if plugging them back in doesnt work).

it could also be the fuse box - this is a common fault.

let me know if its the chipped key or not and i'll explain more

the last escort i had i bought cheap from the internet, this wouldnt turn over or start. i had to replace the fuse box and reset the fuel cut off switch - and it started.

Gaz

[jdubya]

Hi Gaz,

It's the one with the black key with the small red part in the corner.

Cheers,

Jason.

[mr.c]

If its the chipped key - to reset it you need the red master key.

or

find someone locally to bypass it for you.

[jdubya]

Hi,

I have the red master key, how does that work??

Thanks.

[jdubya]

If its the chipped key - to reset it you need the red master key.

or

find someone locally to bypass it for you.

Hi,

I have the red master key, how does that work??

Thanks.

[Purdy fpv]

Hi,

I have the red master key, how does that work??

Thanks.

The red key allows you to program or code keys to your car. (4 keys max) This key is refuerd to as a master key.

[jdubya]

So this key is only of use to a Ford dealer or auto locksmith to program new 'blank' keys?

There's nothing I can do with it to reset the immobiliser?

Thanks.

[Purdy fpv]

I have done some reading up for you.

It sounds like a fault with the passive anti theft system or patts module.

Its not recognizing your keys. It could have been caused by a number of things like a damaged key for example.

Your car has a 3 key system. Try to reprogram the keys. It should tell you how in your hand book.

If that does not work it could be the patts or water in the fuse box. If that's the case you will need a vehicle electrician. Have you had any other problems with the car?

P.S when you are not using the red key 2 program other keys it is just a normal key and you can drive with it. Ford tell you to keep it safe as if you loose it. It is expensive to replace.

[Purdy fpv]

Just hand another thought.

It could be the senor in the door lock. The sensor tells the alarm that the key has opened the door. If that sensor is not working when you turn the key the alarm will go off because it has not sensed the key being used.

to test this leave you windows open and lock the car. then reach through the window and open the door. if the sensor is broken the alarm will go off.

Then the car will not turn over as the alarm has run the battery flat.

[jdubya]

Thanks for your help.

The alarm goes off if I unlock the door from the drivers or passenger side. I already had the drivers side door panel off and manually turned the barrel to lock and unlock the door while holding the key on the inside hoping this would trigger a sensor but the alarm still went off every time. I thought it could be to do with a sensor around or near the door lock but that would mean it had failed on both sides.

I was going to bypass the immobiliser, I measured the voltage on the 3 wires on the ignition barrel. One was permanent live, one goes 12v at first key click an the last one I expected to go live at the point when the starter motor normally turns over but this voltage flicked too quickly for my meter to pick it up and it wasn't 12v. I was going to run this directly to the starter motor enable. I really need the wiring diagram for this but it seems incredibly hard to come by. People seem to think it will be used to steal cars but who's going to go to all that trouble for a 15 year old Escort?!?!?

Regards,

Jason.

[Purdy fpv]

Its a tricky one.

Try changing the fuse box in it. They are prone for water ingress.

If not it could the immobiliser control module.

Have you had any other problems with the car? like the fans running constantly, rev counter reading double the revs or sticking, wipers not working or the radio staying on?

I think that there is a wiring diagram in the Haynes manual for that manual.

[jdubya]

No other problems with the car, no rev counter as it's only a base model.

I had the immobiliser module out and took it apart last week, couldn't see any component failure so I just disabled the relay that sounds the alarm. I looked for one of these modules (think it's a 91AG-14A093, will check again) but couldn't find one anywhere. There was one on eBay but the auction had finished 2 days earlier!!

Thanks for your help.

[Purdy fpv]

If you don't have any luck on eBay. Try your local scrap yards for the part.

Also I have just remembered. If you cart find a Haynes manual with a wiring diagram in it. Try Ford etis.

www.etis.ford.com