# When it's not a dead battery or starter but access denied? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** explorer, batteries, starters, ford\ **Created:** [January 16, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699 "2010-01-16T23:16:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sojourner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Sojourner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sojourner)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699/1 "2010-01-16T23:16:23Z")
Beautiful January day and I parked my car to volunteer for sled dog race help - when I got back in - nothing! Some clicking. Police tried to jump start. Finally towed to Sears and bought new battery - still nothing and they said it’s NOT the starter but possibly some entry or safety module that locks you out when your battery gets so low it’s drained. We have the key code and that opens the door fine. The lights are nice and bright. Is there some secret turn off switch we’re not finding? It has to go to the dealer - maybe they can help but are they going to try to replace some expensive module? Thanks if you can help! ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699/2 "2010-01-16T23:58:16Z")
This Ford truck uses Ford’s SecuriLock system, that requires a special coded key to enable the truck to be started. The way to tell if the SecuriLock system is having issues is found in the owner’s manual. Simply put, if the truck is off, the ‘Theft’ light should blink every 2 seconds. When you try to start the truck, the light should remain on and steady for 3 seconds. If it stays on longer than that, or if it blinks rapidly, the SecuriLock system is having problems and will not allow the truck to start. This may or may not be an expensive problem. But, it will not start until the system is fixed. ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 12:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699/3 "2010-01-17T00:06:16Z")
Busted Wins Nice post, Just in case I’ll leave my reply You need to clean the battery connections Step 1 Then clean and check Ground connection to the motor and positive cable connections to the starter, and or solenoid. Make sure there are no swollen spots in any of the cables, as that indicates poor conductivity and needs replacement. Many starter solenoids are incorporated into the motor, many are not, It does not have to go to the dealer if you do not wish. Maybe there is a reset someone knows of for the anti theft system. ---
**Author:** ![Sojourner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Sojourner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sojourner)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 12:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699/4 "2010-01-17T00:31:56Z")
Thanks Busted and Water - That gives me some clues especially on the Securilock system - yes I think that’s probably the right direction but will also check the cables, etc. At least I can go armed to the dealer’s with more knowledge and hopefully they will keep it simple. There’s no after-market anything except a remote start. But I read somewhere there are ways to reset the Securilock in some vehicles. I had no idea so didn’t look at the blinking lights, etc. There is always a red blinking light on top of the dash. ---
**Author:** ![karl-sieger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c77e96/32.png) [@karl-sieger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/karl-sieger)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 12:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699/5 "2010-01-17T00:41:25Z")
Just a shot in the dark, but remove the ignition key from your keychain (sometimes keys w/transponders in them get interference from other keys next to them.) stand outside the truck and lock and unlock the driver’s door. then see if it starts. If no good, try the front passenger door the same way. Can’t hurt to try & only takes a minute. ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 12:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699/6 "2010-01-17T00:44:43Z")
AHA!!! I hate to tell you, but there are numerous complaints about aftermarket remote start systems harming factory alarm systems, and SecuriLock is no different. The owner’s manual actually warns about adding a non-Ford remote starter as it could damage the system. I hope that’s not the problem, but the dealer will definitely blame it and want to pull it out. ---
**Author:** ![Sojourner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Sojourner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sojourner)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 1:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699/7 "2010-01-17T01:03:14Z")
Yeah I tried a little something like that - but will remove key just in case and give that a try. Seems like it wants me to reset everything. ---
**Author:** ![Sojourner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Sojourner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sojourner)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 1:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699/8 "2010-01-17T01:14:40Z")
Don’t see my reply so I will try again. Could it be that even tho I’ve had remote start since 2006? I wonder if I might have left the hatch open while gone, and that triggered the anti-theft. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699/9 "2010-01-17T01:46:41Z")
Self-inflicted injuries…You have paid good money to render your vehicle useless… ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 6:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699/10 "2010-01-17T06:17:58Z")
Did you try jumping the neutral safety switch ? ---
**Author:** ![Sojourner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Sojourner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sojourner)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 12:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699/11 "2010-01-17T12:22:49Z")
Don’t know what that is but i’m game - can you explain? ---
**Author:** ![karl-sieger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c77e96/32.png) [@karl-sieger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/karl-sieger)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 7:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699/12 "2010-01-18T07:16:04Z")
If you have an automatic transmission, sit in the car with your foot firmly down on the brake. Turn the key all the way while jiggling the gearshift lever. If the car then starts, it’s (1) a mis-adjusted shift cable, (2) a problem with the shift interlock system, or (3) a worn or mis-adjusted neutral safety switch, or combination of all three. If you have standard transmission, find somebody with a strong left foot. Put this guy in the driver’s seat. With e-brake on and shifter in neutral, have this person turn the key all the way Then have him push the clutch pedal down to the floor as hard and as fast as he/she can. Smack it right down to the floor, fast. (Unless he’s Hulk Hogan) If the Ford starts, it’s a worn or mis-adjusted starting safety switch. (Similar to the neutral safety switch on an automatic) Also, to bypass items 1 through 3, (Automatic) or to bypass the starting safety switch (standard) you can electrically jump from the big terminal on the starter solenoid to the smaller terminal on the solenoid. If you don’t mess with cars, don’t even attempt it, though. Maybe there’s a guy down the street who does some work on his own car, etc, who could help you, or, if the starter is easy to get to, your mechanic could probably do it for free. BEFORE YOU DO THIS OPERATION,YOU MUST HAVE THE FORD IN PARK (AUTOMATIC) OR NEUTRAL (STANDARD) AND YOU MUST HAVE THE E-BRAKE ALL THE WAY ENGAGED BEFORE YOU TRY THIS. ALSO HAVE SOMEONE IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT WITH THEIR FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. With the person in the car, foot on brake, and key turned only to “on” (not “all the way”) the other person under the hood jumps (electrically) from the big terminal on the starter solenoid to the small terminal. If Ford starts, it’s item 1, 2, or 3, or combination thereof, (automatic); or worn or mis-adjusted starting safety switch (standard). Remember to be safe like I outlined above!!! ---
**Author:** ![Sojourner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Sojourner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sojourner)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/when-its-not-a-dead-battery-or-starter-but-access-denied/42699/13 "2010-01-21T02:43:31Z")
Thanks all for your helpful suggestions. I tried them first, and then when the tow truck driver arrived, he tried many of these suggestions himself, but nothing worked. However, you did point me in the right directionn, and you were right on. Ford dealership had to run diagnostics. The computer module had to be reprogrammed. Thankfully it only cost $180. The remote start is now disabled. But Ford suggested we might want to make repairs involving several new modules and tires for a total of $3000 - not doing that, obviously!