What security system is this?

[MaineWildlands]

So I have a 2002 E350 that I rescued from rusting out about 10 years ago. In the many repairs and improvements I have done, I have learned a lot.

But I have a mystery that I am trying to understand. There is a security system in this van that requires a specific plastic dongle to be in a specific place or the starter will not turn over. The only clue I have is the plastic dongle has the words "PRIME" on it. This system was in the van from the first owner, I am the third, so I don't have anyone to ask about it.

The van has the standard Ford security for lock/unlock/alarm, with the OEM car fob, and this security addition is something else. I did a bunch of looking, and it looks like Clifford has an auto security system called Prime, but I couldn't find a related system like this.

I attached a couple pics, one of the dongle, and one of the location where it has to sit on the dash for the ignition process to work. Please forgive the dog hair and dust on the dash, but it sits right behind my GRMS handset,with the little string wedging behind the handset clip and the dongle sitting to the right side of the handset clip.

The system works like a champ. Remove that dongle, and the van will not start, even with the keys. However, it is a weak point in my system if I lose that dongle, and would definitely require a garage to figure it out.

Any info or knowledge on this would be great, I just want to learn more about it without having to pull the dash out.

[Big_ern_101]

Behind the dash there is likely some sort of little receiver and this unit uses RFID or some other sort of NFC communcation to talk to that "Prime" dongle and tell whatever starter interrupt that it is OK to start. A quick google search isnt turning up much.

My suggested course of action is that you are going to have to take the dash trim panel out (pretty easy - 2 screws above the instrument cluster, headlight switch, put the shifter in low, pop it out, unplug the cigarette lighter and aux power port) then follow the wires from whatever little box is in that area to wherever it goes.

Pull off the knee panel under the steering wheel and look straight up. You will see some heavy gauge wires going into your steering column. Those are the starter wires among other wires. Disconnect whatever bodges this security system has added, throw them all in the trash, and match color-for-color with some nice non-insulated crimps and heat shrink.

Problem solved

[MaineWildlands]

Thanks Big_ern_101. I agree that it is probably RFID, it has to be almost exactly in place for the van to start. And like you, i didn't find anything online.

That being said, it works slick. No one has ever seen anything like it before. There's no guides on the internet on bypassing it. I doubt any car thief will be able to bypass or disable it. I want to keep it. I was hoping I could find another dongle from the manufacturer to give me a little peace of mind.

[Big_ern_101]

The bypass would be just to pull the lower trim panel off under the steering wheel and jump the starter and/or keyed power wires that are interrupted by this device, you don't need a key at all to start an Econoline since there is no ECU immobilizer that is matched to the key like a modern vehicle.

This device functions as an immobilizer but it does not do it through ECU coding, it does it through disconnecting wires, so it can be bypassed by reconnecting wires.

[MaineWildlands]

Originally Posted by Big_ern_101

The bypass would be just to pull the lower trim panel off under the steering wheel and jump the starter and/or keyed power wires that are interrupted by this device, you don't need a key at all to start an Econoline since there is no ECU immobilizer that is matched to the key like a modern vehicle.

This device functions as an immobilizer but it does not do it through ECU coding, it does it through disconnecting wires, so it can be bypassed by reconnecting wires.

This is good advice now that I think about it logically. I am hoping I never need to recall it, but I agree, that the unit behind the dash has some combination of wires that can be used to bypass this turn-off. That does make me feel a little better if I ever lost that dongle. At least I could play a few combinations of 'what does this wire do?' and figure it out.

[Big_ern_101]

Trace the wires back and match the colors where they are cut, these systems usually only interrupt 1 or 2 wires.

If the installer was your typical installer they grabbed the wires at the easiest point which is right under the steering column.

Pop off the kick panel cover and take a look-see for wires tapped in.

[RonaldWright]

If it’s working fine and you’re happy with it, I’d leave it as is. Just keep in mind that losing that dongle could leave you stuck. If I were in your shoes, I’d try to get a backup or see if someone can clone it for you.

[RonaldWright]

Originally Posted by RonaldWright

If it’s working fine and you’re happy with it, I’d leave it as is. Just keep in mind that losing that dongle could leave you stuck. If I were in your shoes, I’d try to get a backup or see if someone can clone it for you.

Some locksmiths or RFID specialists can usually help with that—it’s worth checking around.
That said, if you ever want something a bit more modern, you could look into a system like what Vivint.com offers. They’ve got stuff with app control and alerts, so you can keep your van secure and have some extra peace of mind without worrying about losing a physical dongle.

[MaineWildlands]

Ronald, not to be noticing things, but you're a new member with two posts. Your first reiterated the thread conclusions, and the second pushes home security systems that are not even vaguely mobile security related. Just makes me go hmmm.