Anti-theft mode?

Tiny
CTARMENTA60
  • MEMBER
  • 2019 FORD ESCAPE
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • 50,000 MILES
I went out to the vehicle first thing in the morning and the car was dead. Key FOB wouldn't unlock the doors, so I unlocked the car with the high security key inside the key FOB. I hooked up the jumper and the alarm went off. I then noticed the negative cable from the battery to the body was very loose, so I tightened it. The battery was at about 4 volts. I took the battery out and had it charged. Reinstalled the battery and when I get in the car with the key FOB and try pushing the brakes then the start button the alarm goes off. The display says "place key in backup position". I tried putting the key FOB in every backup position I could find on the internet as well as on the steering column, but nothing works.
Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 AT 8:55 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,909 POSTS
Yep, it sounds like the battery needs to be replaced not just charged, but to be sure let's check the surface voltage of the battery which should be about 12.4 volts.

This guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

or this guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please go over these guides and get back to us.
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Thursday, September 21st, 2023 AT 12:41 PM

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