2018 Fiesta ST rally build - Technical problem

[taborrally]

Hello!

I did some searching and didn’t find the answer to my issue, but please feel free to direct me if this issue has been discussed.

Just stripped a 2018 FiST for rally build, pulling all airbags, dash and steering wheel. Put back in the steering wheel and the car will not recognize the key fob to start. Tried to reset the immobilized based on Ford recommendation, but no change. New batteries in fob, car and all fuses check out.

The car does have the dealer installed “Karr” security system, so was thinking of taking that out.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[M-Sport fan]

You could try contacting Dirt Fish rally in Snoqualmie, WA (Maybe you already did this?)
https://dirtfish.com/

They yes, mostly deal with Scoobies, but there were a few crews out of there which did/do run FiSTs in the ARA L2WD class.

There is a member on here who does campaign an L2WD class FiST in the Eastern Regional ARA Championships (@jcr557), but I am not sure if he is using the factory or an aftermarket racing steering wheel.

There is also an active member on here who enthusiastically open tracks his car (@Woods247), and did replace the wheel with a racing, non-airbag wheel, so maybe he can chime in and tell of any key recognition problems he faced with that swap.

I never really paid attention as to whether or not all/any of the more factory based Fiesta rally cars go to a fully stand alone/non factory, direct wired starter button or not (thereby bypassing the whole key recognition thing).

But I do know that you MUST remove ALL of the airbag(s), regardless of class, according to the ARA General Competition Rules.

I do suspect that the dealer installed security system has a lot to do with your problem.

 

[Woods247]

Unfortunately I’m afraid I can’t offer any advice. I swapped my steering wheel but haven’t pulled the dash. My guess is there’s a loose, unplugged or shorted wire somewhere in the column area. Maybe removing the keyless entry sensors causes this too?? Not sure but please let us know what you discover. @Jabbit did you have issues after stripping yours?

 

[Jabbit]

Thanks for the mention. In my car I pulled the steering wheel airbag, both seats, drivers knee airbag, and all the roof curtain airbags. I didn't pull anything from the passenger side area. I had no issues. I left the airbag module in the center by the parking brake - is yours in there OP?

 

[taborrally]

You could try contacting Dirt Fish rally in Snoqualmie, WA (Maybe you already did this?)
https://dirtfish.com/

They yes, mostly deal with Scoobies, but there were a few crews out of there which did/do run FiSTs in the ARA L2WD class.

There is a member on here who does campaign an L2WD class FiST in the Eastern Regional ARA Championships (@jcr557), but I am not sure if he is using the factory or an aftermarket racing steering wheel.

There is also an active member on here who enthusiastically open tracks his car (@Woods247), and did replace the wheel with a racing, non-airbag wheel, so maybe he can chime in and tell of any key recognition problems he faced with that swap.

I never really paid attention as to whether or not all/any of the more factory based Fiesta rally cars go to a fully stand alone/non factory, direct wired starter button or not (thereby bypassing the whole key recognition thing).

But I do know that you MUST remove ALL of the airbag(s), regardless of class, according to the ARA General Competition Rules.

I do suspect that the dealer installed security system has a lot to do with your problem.

Thanks! I should have prefaced that I have been competing actively in stage rally for over 25 years, so totally familiar with the rally technical and competition rules, but have been in many other makes of car other than a Ford.

 

[taborrally]

Thanks for the mention. In my car I pulled the steering wheel airbag, both seats, drivers knee airbag, and all the roof curtain airbags. I didn't pull anything from the passenger side area. I had no issues. I left the airbag module in the center by the parking brake - is yours in there OP?

We tried with it in, but no change. Also put the radio units back in, no change. Will try radio and airbag module controller, then move on to the Karr security module.

 

[Jabbit]

We tried with it in, but no change. Also put the radio units back in, no change. Will try radio and airbag module controller, then move on to the Karr security module.

I only pulled the above mentioned airbags. Didnt take out the head unit or any modules.

 

[Rutschpartie]

I also use a racing wheel, i did not pull the dash but everything else, so it maybe has to do with the dash and its wiring?

 

[M-Sport fan]

If all else fails, you could try contacting the former principal of (the now defunct) O.D.D. Racing rally prep company, who is now quite busy as the technical director of ARA, but has campaigned an O2WD FiST in ARA events;

Preston Osborne; 1 (720) 646-4331

He might be able to help, but his was a full-on sequential equipped, open class car with an aftermarket wheel, and a fully gutted dash. (Think; like ACP's Team O'Neil car from the mid 20-teens.)

 

[cidsamuth]

When I stripped my interior, I found a sensor along the roof line behind the rear view mirror. When it was removed, the car no long picked up the key fob for start. Did you remove that one?

 

[seanroland]

When I stripped my interior, I found a sensor along the roof line behind the rear view mirror. When it was removed, the car no long picked up the key fob for start. Did you remove that one?

Hi! I just wanted to X2 this! I did a full cage kits build on a 15 ST and no dash, headlights, no start. Thanks for this response! I removed the A pillar harness that goes up driver side and down passenger side. There are 2 modules up there that I found out the hard way are necessary! I was tearing this car a part trying to figure out if I had left a ground off or something. Anyways, if you removed the headliner harness, this is probably your problem