I own a 1999 ford ranger with a keyless entry system, it will lock and unlock with the remote and has a alarm feature on the fob. When even I double press the lock it engages and beeps, but when i open the doors the alarm does not go off. Is this normal or is there something i have to do?

 

Welcome to the forum

The button on the Fob is most likely a Panic button, it will honk the horn if pressed, so not an alarm
Dealers did install alarms at buyer request, but not a Factory option after 1997 or so

1999 V6 Ranger(3.0l/4.0l) will have PATS(passive anti-theft system), not an alarm, it's "passive"
It requires the correct transponder key to start the engine, quite a good system, make sure you have a spare working PATS key or you will need to be towed or have a Mobile Locksmith with Ford software on a laptop come to vehicle to make a new key and added it to PATS system

 

Could i find and install the alarm system or would i have to take it in for that?

 

If this is your fob, you don't have an alarm, just remote keyless entry and a panic button.




If this is your fob, you have a dealer installed alarm.
Red button arms and locks
Blue disarms and unlocks

 

Isnt there a way to program a new key, if you have a working key and the truck together? I thought I read about some retard procedure you had to do to prgram a new key.

 

No, not with just one "working" PATS Key
You need two working PATS keys to add a 3rd or 4th PATS key

Pretty much any Locksmith shop can CLONE your working PATS key, cheapest way to have a spare PATS key
This Clone key does not count as a "2nd" working key in the above, because as far as PATS is concerned they are the SAME key, because its a Clone

 

Don't you need both original factory chipped keys to add others?

 

No, just 2 PATS keys that were previously programmed into PATS memory, which could have been done in the past by Ford, a Locksmith, or someone with Forscan

Best practice is to enter PATS programming mode using a laptop with Ford PATS software and ERASE all past key numbers, then add your new PATS key numbers, minimum is 2 keys, can't just add one, but can add 3 or 4, most PATS units can store 6 to 8 numbers total
These 2 PATS keys can be an original Factory key you still have and a new one, or both new ones, doesn't matter to the PATS unit, it just reads the "number" from that key's chip and saves it to memory
(Can't use CLONED key for this as they have the same "number" as another key, so not a "2nd" key, however if you lost the original of cloned key, this is will work)

Erasing the past keys is so someone that finds or has a key can't start the engine, they can open the door but that's all



Key Fobs do this automatically as part of their Programming Mode
Different process not related to PATS
But when you enter Fob Programming Mode ALL Fobs are ERASED automatically, then you add back all the Fobs you have/want, then Exit programming mode
So if someone has/finds your old Fob it can't unlock the doors

 

The two factory keys is probably required if you want to program extra keys without software. That's one of the first things I did when I got may last Ranger... ordered two cut but unprogrammed keys from the local hardware store. The process required I put both factory keys into the ignition before I proceeded.

 

As said they don't have to be "Factory keys", any 2 PATS keys(with different chip numbers), that are already in your vehicle's PATS memory will work to add a 3rd or 4th key


Not that it matters
PATS uses RFID, there is an RFID tag embedded in the handle of a PATS key, Ford or 3rd party doesn't matter, it just a generic RFID tag with a unique number
When you turn on the key the Transceiver around the key slot sends out a Radio Wave Pulse, this gives the RFID tag enough power to sends out its unique number and the transceiver sends that to PATS unit
Transceiver is a Transmitter/Receiver
PATS unit compares that number to the 3 to 8 numbers in its memory
If a Match is found the Theft Light goes OFF and you can start the engine
If no Match is found then Theft Light flashes fast and you can not start the engine

You can buy BLANK PATS keys, uncut AND no number on the RFID tag, these are made to have a number "written" on them electronically
An RFID tag reader/writer is used
You "read" the "working keys" unique number(like PATS does)
Then you "write" that number to the Blank RFID tag PATS key
Then cut the key to match the locks
You now have a CLONED PATS key
PATS unit can't tell them apart, same number, which is why they don't count as a 2nd key to add a 3rd key