Testbed Trailer

Tessa Lovelace wrote:

Currently, all attempts to unlock the vehicle which pulls the Testbed have resulted in the alarm being activated.
A security company is listed for the alarm, but has not yet been contacted.
An online forum mentioned an alarm silencer (also known as a valet switch?) but it does not appear in the place mentioned (driver side kickpanel) and has not been followed up on.

Speculation is that the remote unlock (keyfob) is triggering the alarm because the unlock source switch (eg, whatever determines that the locks are being disengaged by an authorized means, vs an unauthorized intrusion) is faulty, and the physical key is triggering the alarm because the physical unlock sensors aren't registering that a key was used.

Previous owner reports that "it's always been like that", but that physically unlocking the vehicle via the passenger side door always worked.
Passenger side physical key unlock does NOT currently bypass the alarm.

This issue causes heightened levels of anxiety for the primary vehicle operator.

User manual: http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/03f23og5e.pdf
The Locks and Security section starts on page 65 and the steps to reprogram the remote entry key fobs are on page 70.

Sessha n/a wrote:

Tessa Lovelace wrote:

Currently, all attempts to unlock the vehicle which pulls the Testbed have resulted in the alarm being activated.
<...snip.../>

This issue causes heightened levels of anxiety for the primary vehicle operator.

User manual: http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/03f23og5e.pdf
The Locks and Security section starts on page 65 and the steps to reprogram the remote entry key fobs are on page 70.

Reprogrammed both remoted via process described in the manual.
Alarm still triggers on using the wireless entry fob, and I now suspect that it could also be related to the system responsible for unlocking one vs both doors.

Attaching the manuals I've been able to find, because the internet is an unreliable and fickle archive methodology.

Additional reference items:
https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=133810 (archived at http://archive.is/NTlvA)
https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=97119 (archived at http://archive.is/zy2W8)
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1352518-alarm-sounds-when-i-open-the-door-with-the-key.html (archived at http://archive.is/MlWGI)

There seems to be several "alarm modes" that aren't engaging properly, or aren't sensing the state.
Both driver's side and passenger side doors unlock at the same time, on the first tap of the "unlock" on the keyfob.
The alarm goes off immediately, possibly due to the passenger side not getting disarmed (despite being unlocked).
When the panic button is tapped, the alarm is silenced, unless the door has been opened.

If a door has been opened, or opening a door caused the alarm to go off, you have to toggle the key (in the ignition) to "on" position, shut the door, lock the doors, unlock them, and then use the panic button on the keyfob. This process may contain unnecessary steps, but I've not found a shorter way, and I'm not convinced this method is reliable.

The goal (and ideal) is for both the physical key AND the keyfob being able to unlock the vehicle (without setting off the alarm), and the keyfob, physical key, or door panel lock/unlock rocker to be able to be used to lock and engage the alarm.

It'd also be nice if the horn was a secondary indicator, rather than the primary indicator, of the lock/security state. Flash the hazards, or the headlights/brakelights, or even a quick chirp from the horn, rather than a sustained blast from the (rather loud) vehicle horn, would be much less anxiety-and-stress inducing.