Need help with Viper remote start on 17

[nautcasprt6]

Hello all. Newbie here and looking for some direction in regards to a remote start.

 

I have a 2017 Ford Edge SE with OEM alarm but no remote start. I had a local shop install a Viper alarm for me, and when I picked up my car, I was told that the factory hood pin/switch needs to be enabled by the dealer.

Went to the dealer this morning to have this enabled, but the foreman or service tech told me there is no enable option for these trucks. Only an on/off or open/close. I tested to see if when the hood opens if a message appears on my dash, and nothing.

 

I will be going back to the place that installed my remote start and have it removed but I have 2 questions.

 

1. Is there a way to enable the hood pin from Ford?

2. Is there a remote start that works without this hood pin?

 

Thanks in advace

[TheWizard]

Just about any remote start that is not part of a security system (i.e. remote start only not an alarm with a remote start option) will work without a hood pin switch. The purpose of the hood switch is to trigger the alarm if someone opens the hood while the alarm is armed and that is an unnecessary function for simple remote start operation.

[nautcasprt6]

Gotcha.

I was just doing some more research and could add a cut off switch for the hood pin under the dash. Anyone know how I can do this?

I would prefer not to go back to the place that installed the remote start and have it removed.

[TheWizard]

Can you describe the problem with the remote start that is being attributed to the hood switch? Is it something like the remote start won't work without the Viper alarm armed and it won't arm without knowing if the hood is closed?

 

Most hood switches are simple one-wire spring loaded plungers that just provide a ground to signal when the hood is open or closed. The Edge has a slightly different arrangement in that the hood switch is built into the hood latch but the Viper alarm is only expecting a ground/no ground signal so it should be easy to wire it so that it thinks the hood is always closed. IOW, if the Viper system expects ground when the hood is closed then just ground the wire from the alarm module that would normally go to the hood switch. If it expects ground only when the hood is open then just tape up that wire to prevent it from grounding. You lose the protection of the alarm activating if the hood is opened but that isn't a common problem anymore.

[candurin]

My understanding is that the hood pin is actually part of the hinge in the 2017+ MYs.

 

In that case you'll just need to have it turned "on" in IDS.

 

If you open the hood and try to remote start the car, you should get an error. You won't get a message whenever the hood is open or closed.

Edited November 20, 2017 by candurin

[TheWizard]

Isn't the hood switch already activated in vehicles with the factory alarm system?

[candurin]

I believe so.

[jmr061]

It should be wired into the vehicle. To use it with the viper it wouldn't have to be enabled unless they are using the canbus signal? If its just hardwired just tap into near the BCM...however the ground signal may be opposite what the VIPER is looking for so may need to flip that with a relay or something unless the input sense is programmable on the VIPER.

[candurin]

What about something like this: https://www.directechs.com/VehicleCompatibility.aspx?p=-1&v=15482&ps=1&s=0&c=0&pr=-1

[nautcasprt6]

I have the base SE model and I don't think the factory hood pin switch is installed. If I open the hood, no warnings on the cluster come on.

At this point I have 3 options;

 

1. wait for Viper to release some type of update that will bypass the factory hood pin.(which I dont think is going to happen)

2. Have the hoodpin enabled by the dealer (I tried this at my local dealer, and they said there is no option for this)

3. Have the remote start removed (which looks like the likely option)

 

Ill try your suggestion candurin, but when I try to remote start the car now with the hood closed, the dash lights flicker, and thats it.

 

Thanks again.

[candurin]

You can enable the hood switch yourself if your handy with FORScan. Very easy to do. You need an adapter that allows you to communicate with the car from a laptop, which is inexpensive. Here's the instructions if you wish to tackle this solo: http://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&p=18068

Heres the Bluetooth scan tool I use (it works for 99% of the modifications, including activating the hood switch): https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005NLQAHS

 

And clearly you need to go to another dealer. Or you can bring this to your local one, which clearly do not seem eager to assist. Page 11 clearly instructs the ford technician how to activate the hood switch using IDS: http://d354nuoz4t18d4.cloudfront.net/b0a0b93e061c59a634fb0e1a49af89e6/images/custom/instructions/RemoteStarts/Ford/Vehicle%20Security-Remote%20Start-Remote%20Access%20Installation%20Instructions%202016%20thru%202017%20Edge.pdf?cb=1493050029

Edited January 10, 2018 by candurin

[nautcasprt6]

Candurin,

 

Thanks for the info. I'm very tech savvy and have worked on my previous car so I feel comfortable with what you mentioned. Thats the great thing about these forums.

Just ordered the scan tool and hopefully will have this up and running by the weekend.

 

As for the FORscan, is it the one in the below link? Reason I ask is because its still in beta for Windows, or should that not be an issue?

http://www.forscan.org/download.html

 

You mentioned this scan tool works for other modifications. What else can I use that would benefit me or that the factory disables in which I can enable and use.

 

Thanks

Edited January 10, 2018 by nautcasprt6

[candurin]

Yes, you want the 2.3.12 beta (its always in beta) for windows.

 

Then follow the instructions for requesting a license via the forum.

 

You can do quite a bit with forscan.

 

http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/23250-comprehensive-list-of-possible-forscan-mods/page-3?do=findComment&comment=178956

[nautcasprt6]

Candurim and all.

Thanks for the help. I purchased the bluetooth adapter and used the FORscan software and was able to enable the hood pin. My remote start is now working.

 

In case anyone else is looking to do this, an extended license (not standard) is needed and can easily be requested from the FORscan forums.

Once you launch the application, you need to read the bdycm (Body control module) and not the as built one.

The list will say "Hood pin" is not present. Just change it to present then write.

 

That was so simple. I will grab some screenshots once I have chance.

 

Thanks again

Bert

[IWRBB]

The purpose of the hood switch is to trigger the alarm if someone opens the hood while the alarm is armed and that is an unnecessary function for simple remote start operation.

 

It's not unnecessary for remote start. It's tied into the remote start to prevent the engine form being started remotely while someone is working under the hood. "That belt looks a bit cracke- vroom Shit, my finger!"