Aftermarket Alarm System

[fordfever]

I am curious as to what type of alarm system the FFH has. I am pretty sure the stock alarm only goes off if a major break in occured, like breaking the glass. I would want one that goes off if someone were to shake the car or bump it. Has anyone put in an aftermarket alarm system in their FFH? Any problems by doing so?

[bbf2530]

I am curious as to what type of alarm system the FFH has. I am pretty sure the stock alarm only goes off if a major break in occured, like breaking the glass. I would want one that goes off if someone were to shake the car or bump it. Has anyone put in an aftermarket alarm system in their FFH? Any problems by doing so?

 

 

Hi fordfever. :D The Fusion and Fusion Hybrid have the Ford "Perimeter Alarm System" from the factory. It automatically arms itself when you leave/lock the car and it is set off if the doors, hood, trunk etc, are opened without first disarming the alarm (in any of several ways). It is a good and effective system, and is fully integrated into the vehicle from the factory. More specific and detailed information is in our Owners Manual.

 

There are plenty of aftermarket alarm systems with "Shock/Motion Sensors" as you say you would like. They range from not so great quality to good quality systems. "Viper" makes a good system if it is installed properly.

 

I am not sure what type of area you live in or frequent. However, I can tell you from past experience that alarms with "shock/motion sensors", while a novelty at first, can soon become more trouble than they are worth to both you and your neighbors.

 

In addition, having anyone other than a Ford Dealer mess with your electrical system by installing an alarm can open you up to later Warranty troubles, if you should develop any sort of electrical system problem. This could lead to a denial of Warranty claims on electrical problems that can be even remotely traced back to the installation. That could lead to some very expensive problems with a Hybrid vehicle.

 

You also need to remember that today's cars are so computer and electronic inntensive/sensitive, that it is sometimes better to leave well enough alone. Sometimes having someone cutting into your new cars electrical system just to obtain a few "bells and whistles" is just not a good idea.

 

My advice, for what it is worth: Just stick with the Ford Perimeter Alarm System. In the end, it will save you money, trouble and aggravation.

 

Hope this information helps.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited December 14, 2009 by bbf2530

[TonyF]

I wish I had read and taken bbf2530's advice, or had read the FFH user manual more carefully! I erroneously concluded that my new FFH did not have an alarm system based on a single test -- lowered the window, locked the car with the remote, reached in the open window and unlocked the car. No alarm went off! The manual says that it takes 15 seconds for the alarm to arm. I did not wait long enough.

 

I've had third party alarms installed in all my vehicles in the past 20 years. Some had remote start, all had other nice features -- glass breaking & shock sensors, alarms and status displays built into the remotes that work up to 1/4 mile away. Anyway, I proceeded to have such an alarm installed in my FFH last Wednesday.at a shop that installed alarms in 4 of my vehicles in the past 10 years. In the past it has take about 2-3 hours tor the install. After about 4 hours of waiting, I was told that the installer had run into a snag -- the headlights would not go out after the removal of the ignition key and switching the lights off. Their plan was to remove all traces of the alarm and suggested I go to my local Ford dealer and have them "reset" the computer. They told me to come back with any receipts and they would reimburse me for any charges.

 

I have since discovered that there is a secondary timer that turns the headlights off some 15 to 20 minutes later. Anyway, I took the car to the dealer and tech found that a module and switch had been damaged. The replacement part would need to be ordered and installed Dec 1. Their estimate of the cost for the diagnosis, part and labor was around $680. The Ford tech urged me to abandon any thought of having a third party alarm installed. I called the alarm shop and we agreed cut our losses and not to throw good money after bad.

Edited November 29, 2010 by TonyF

[lurker283]

I had a Viper 5901 alarm installed in my FFH, everything working correctly, although I do admit when I got my car back from the installer my Climate controls were acting wierd, when I took it to my dealer they found some errors occurring and had to reload software to fix it. Think maybe when they installed the alarm they may have corrupted the software somehow, luckily my dealer said nothing and fixed it for free under warranty. So I guess in comes down to how skilled your installer is, hopes that he doesn't damage something when tearing apart your car.