Security System Arms with Tailgate Open? Why?

[bluepost22]

My 2013 Edge SE with stock security system will lock/arm with the tailgate open.

 

Is this a bug or feature? Why would anybody want to do that?

 

Yesterday I accidentally left the tailgate open, locked the car with remote, and came back an hour later to find my golf clubs stolen.

 

Yes, my fault, but got no help from the security system.

 

Anybody know the rationale?

 

 

 

 

[jmr061]

Test it...leave the gate open and lock it with the remote. Does the horn sound twice and the lights fail to flash?

[akirby]

The horn should definitely sound. If not, try it with a door open.

[bluepost22]

I tried door open, liftgate open, open with a key while "armed", egress from inside while "armed", violently rocking the car while "armed", and nothing.

 

I can arm the system from inside the car and still use the key. I can unlock the car with a key while armed with no warning.

 

In all cases I waited 20 seconds.

 

Pressing the red button on the remote does make the horn blare, however.

 

The turn signals flash when the system is armed.

 

I could swear I have set the alarm off in the past, but not now.

 

The user's manual distinguishes between the SecureLock passive system and the Anti-Theft System. Do I not have the Anti-Theft System? Dealer's sticker is silent on the subject.

 

Thanks for the replies,

bluepost

Edited December 6, 2017 by bluepost22

[akirby]

If you leave the door open and press the lock button - do the lights flash and the doors lock? The lights should flash twice and the horn should sound once or twice.

 

Based on the order guide only the Limited and Sport have the perimeter alarm feature and only if you get the right option package. Don't ask me why - sounds stupid to me. Maybe the open door feedback is tied to the perimeter alarm function.

[bluepost22]

If I "arm the system" with a door open lights flash but no horn. Sounds like I have door locks and that's it.

 

bluepost

[enigma-2]

The anti theft alarm is a factory option, and it appears your car doesn't have it.

You can add on a Ford aftermarket alarm. Just plugs right in. Not exactly the same, but will work.

 

http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/13564-2013-edge-factory-alarm/

[bluepost22]

>If you leave the door open and press the lock button - do the lights flash and the doors lock? The lights should flash twice and the horn should sound once or twice.

 

When I open the door the turn signals light up continuously. When I lock the doors the turn signals do not flash, they turn off. No horn.

 

Looks like I better buy the aftermarket part mentioned above. Thanks for the help, guys.

 

Have to run out now to the PGA Superstore.

bluepost

Edited December 6, 2017 by bluepost22

[jmr061]

If the window sticker doesn't say perimeter alarm on it somewhere you don't have it.

[bluepost22]

I had the vehicle security system (VSS) addon part # DT4Z-19A361-A installed last week on my 2013 Edge SE. It consists of a little black box and a pretty hefty T harness. Plugging it in is trivial. To properly secure the wire harness with twist ties you will need to work under the dash and find a good spot to tie it up to. My guy ended up putting the module just behind a little removable plastic trim panel outboard of the emergency brake, and the new OBD plug is now up high on the footwell.

Here are the instructions, minus the fluff:

1. Remove OBD from its retaining clip, and plug into T harness.

2. Plug T harness base connector into VSS.

3. Turn key on 8 times fast to train the VSS

4. Twist tie harness out of the way. Remember to leave the OBD plug and the VSS sensitivity knob accessible.

The full instructions are on this thread:

http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/13564-2013-edge-factory-alarm/

The harness is heavy enough and stiff enough that the little clip for the original OBD probably can't do the job for the new OBD plug with its new wire harness attached.

The picture in the instructions doesn't really make much sense. Perhaps somebody more patient can do a better job.

Getting a dealer to do it is a challenge. I bought the part online, installation included, from a local dealer. Installation was priced at $20, probably wrong, and the dealer wouldn't honor the deal. Their estimate was 2 hours, $300, equally wrong, but nobody seemed willing to digest the instructions. Another dealer quoted $550 just for labor. So I just took the part home.

With zero car repair cabability I had the part plugged in, trained, and checked out in 10 mins. I got under the dash to secure the wire harness, but quickly got vertigo, not unexpected. I took the car to my dealer, who was nice enough to loan me a tech for 15 mins to do the twist ties. Presented with a simple problem, instead of an open ended issue with a part they've never seen before, the dealer did the right thing. No charge.

I don't know where the sensitivity knob is set. Probably in the middle. The alarm gets set off if I try to open the driver door or bang on the window. It is immune to rocking of the car. It has dual sensitivity, high and low.

Here is the funny part. I am the OP on this thread, which started when I locked my car leaving the tailgate open, and got my golf clubs stolen. Please forgive me for shifting into outrage mode, but

THE NEW VSS STILL ARMS WITH DOORS OPEN!!

That's right. It will arm with a door and the tailgate open. However, if you open another door by manually unlocking, the alarm will go off. I have only another couple of years with this car, so I probably will stick with it.