keyless entry pad problems - anyone know what's up?

[biodole]

OK so the keyless entry pad has been acting up. Sometimes not working at all, othertimes opening the doors by just TOUCHING it. I need some help.

Anyway so here is the exact problems summed up:

1. Keyless entry pad only works about 50-75% of the time.
2. When it does work, sometimes the first half of my code is enough to open the doors, othertimes it opens by just pressing the keypad (any digits).
3. A friend found out that 1,1,2,2,3,3 opens the doors - this is NOT in the manual as a reset code...and isn't even close to my code.
4. There is a strange grinding sound when the code is entered and the driver door is to be unlocked. The sound comes from behind the keypad around the drive door. The door does NOT unlock with the keypad, but will unlock with the key or remote.

What should I do? Replace the keyless entry? If so, how do I go about doing this and/or where can I get the part? Or is this a "bring it to ford and le them handle it" sort of thing?

My car is at around 90,000 all original miles, but not in the best shape (I really haven't had enough time to give the car as much attention as I should have). I'm hoping that within the next few months I'll have enough money to do everything it needs done - but this keyless entry issue is a big safety issue right now.

Thanks guys! :beer:

[RF Overlord]

Are you the original owner? If not, a PO may have programmed that code into the RKE system. Remove the door panel and look for a sticker on the module which will give you the factory-programmed code, then use the procedure outlined in the owner's manual to erase all owner-programmed codes (the factory code is not erasable). See if this clears the unwanted code and then re-add your desired code(s).

As for the erratic operation, it could be a defective keypad; they're easy to replace. It also could be the RKE module inside the door. I don't know if there's a specific troubleshooting procedure for these items...I'll check the service manual.

As for the grinding noise, that's probably a bad lock solenoid.

[biodole]

Are you the original owner? If not, a PO may have programmed that code into the RKE system. Remove the door panel and look for a sticker on the module which will give you the factory-programmed code, then use the procedure outlined in the owner's manual to erase all owner-programmed codes (the factory code is not erasable). See if this clears the unwanted code and then re-add your desired code(s).

As for the erratic operation, it could be a defective keypad; they're easy to replace. It also could be the RKE module inside the door. I don't know if there's a specific troubleshooting procedure for these items...I'll check the service manual.

As for the grinding noise, that's probably a bad lock solenoid.


hey there, thanks for the quick reply.

I am the original owner. Bought it in 2004 from Margate Lincoln mercury with around 40 miles on the odometer fresh off the showroom floor.

I have the "original" factory module code along with other owner information in my manual case. I used this code to program my original code. I will try to reset it and see if this helps.

If not, I will assume the part is bad...and will just replace it.

Any further help as far as the procedure for replacement would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[biodole]

hmm...reprogramming didn't work out...1,1,2,2,3,3 still opens the doors...it's not even close to the original factory code either....

[slickster]

So I got another strange problem my code won't work but 80 at the same time still locks the doors sometimes?

[RoyLPita]

I rebuilt mine using the inner part from a 2002 Explorer.