I suspect if you try to start the car, the dash will tell you it is immobilsed? After the battery has been reconnected the fob will need to be synced. Put the key in the door, turn to lock, hold there, press and hold the lock button on the fob until the LED flashes faster, release the button on the fob, then turn the key back to centre. Then turn to unlock, hold there, press and hold the unlock button on the fob until the LED flashes faster, release the button on the fob, then turn the key back to centre. Then the fob should work again. If it doesn't it is likely that the keyswitch in teh drivers door latch has failed so it is not seeing the turn of the key.

 

"Put the key in the ignition, turn to lock"

In the driver's door lock. The red light should flash brightly. If it seems dim maybe the batteryiss weak.

 

"Put the key in the ignition, turn to lock"

Oops, just edited it so it is correct. I should really have things like this stored as text files so I can simply copy and paste them rather than having to type from scratch every time someone asks a question that has been answered multiple time before......

 

If it is indeed in an alarmed state, you cannot re sync the key.
If it is asking you to press button on fob or enter EKA code, it is just at stage one alarm lock down
DO NOT try disconnecting the battery again.
If you have the EKA code, enter it using the key in the door (rather than the ignition......)(Gotch'a Richard!)
That should clear it and allow the fob to be re synced.

 

unlock door with key, hold key turned to unlock position until all doors unlock (about a minute), this mobilizes vehicle, once mobilized you can proceed to perform the remote entry re-learn of holding key in lock position while pressing lock button on fob at same time, once light goes out, turn to unlock while pressing unlock button until light goes out on remote, now you can use keyless entry...

 

Well, that is a new procedure to me.
Are you sure this is for a P-38 and not some other Rangie?
In a lot of years here, I have not come across this procedure to unlock and kill alarm!
Where did you get this procedure??

 

Thanks for everyone’s responses. I changed the batteries in the fob this morning, then programmed as noted in these posts. That did the trick. It was likely a low battery in the fob, since I did try to reprogram it initially. Anyway, alarm disabled and car started right up. Appreciate the help.

 

that is the way I unlocked my old p38 when it super locked, other wise the only drivers door would unlock and message center warned of alarm tripped and immobilized. I Installed after market keyless and remote start and that held me until factory fob was able to be shipped for repairs. it was all during covid shut down.

yes electronics on the 2k to 02 are a bit more advanced than 95 to 99, it is all explained in detail in becm sids and in the becm section of RAVE.

 

I'd say that you had a worn keyswitch that didn't operate initially but did after holding it for a while. If only the CDL operates but not the keyswitch you get the alarm trip and immobilised as it needs a signal from both. There's no mention of this procedure in either the BeCM SID or RAVE, I suspect you were just lucky.