How do i reset the keyless alarm in a 1998 ford explorer. I have the key pad at the door but not sure how to reset so I can arm the vehicle.

What alarm ? Horn an do the lights flash ?
The content theft deterrent (CTD) system, when armed, is designed to deter vehicle content theft by pulsing the horns and exterior lamps for approximately 30 seconds when an unauthorized vehicle entry is detected. However, the CTD System does not affect engine starting.
An unauthorized entry can be any of the following with the CTD System armed:
• When the liftgate or liftglass has been opened without the use of the keyless entry system or without first being unlocked.
• When any door is opened without first being unlocked using the keyless entry transmitter.
• When the driver door is opened without being first unlocked using the driver door cylinder.
The components of the system are:
• The body control module
• The door ajar switches
• The driver door key cylinder switch
• The liftgate/liftglass ajar switch

Disarming an Armed System/Silencing an Alarm
If system arming has occurred, it must be disarmed.
Important: Manually unlocking the doors does not disable the content theft deterrent (CTD) armed mode. Also, disconnecting the battery or pulling fuses does not disable the armed mode, as the BCM stores the CTD status in memory.
To disarm the CTD system perform one of the following:
• Press the UNLOCK button on the keyless entry transmitter.
• Unlock the driver door using the door key cylinder.
• Insert a valid key into the ignition and start the vehicle.

Press the unlock button on your vehicle's key fob to deactivate the alarm.

If you've misplaced your remote for the car, use the PATS programmed key to unlock the driver's side door.

Then, put the key in the ignition and turn the key to the "on" position. The vehicle's battery should be on, but the engine shouldn't be running.

Locate the override button on the alarm box, beneath the driver's side of the dashboard.

Press the button and hold it in until the alarm beeps one time. The LED light for the alarm should stop blinking, indicating the anti-theft system is disabled.

To reset the vehicle's alarm, put the PATS programmed key in the ignition and turn the key to the "on" position. Press the override button.

When the alarm resets, it chirps two times and the LED light begins blinking.

Disarming an Armed System/Silencing an Alarm
If system arming has been requested by the keyless entry transmitter, it must be disarmed.
Important: Using the power door unlock switch or manually unlocking the doors does not disable the CTD armed mode. Also, disconnecting the battery or pulling fuses does not disable the armed mode, since the BCM stores the CTD mode status in memory.
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To disarm the CTD system in arm pending mode, SECURITY indicator flashing and doors open, perform 1 of the following:

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Press the UNLOCK button on the keyless entry transmitter.

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Insert a valid key into the ignition and start the vehicle.

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To disarm the CTD system in the armed mode:

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Press the UNLOCK button on the keyless entry transmitter.

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Insert a valid key into the ignition and start the vehicle.

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To disarm the CTD system when activated, alarming mode.

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Press the UNLOCK button on the keyless entry transmitter.

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Insert a valid key into the ignition and start the vehicle.

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Most alarms have a set way to reset go to dealer site on line and look for alarm reset for that car . Some set by cycling key three times, some have a reset code for door pad. Best of luck finding it.

{: ) When armed, the content theft deterrent (CTD) system is designed to deter vehicle content theft by pulsing the horns and exterior lamps for approximately 30 seconds when an unauthorized vehicle entry is detected.

An unauthorized entry can be any of the following with the CTD system armed:
• When any door is opened without first being unlocked using the keyless entry transmitter • After a battery reconnect, if the battery was disconnected with the CTD system armed Disarming an Armed System/Silencing an Alarm
If system arming has been requested by the power door lock switch or the keyless entry transmitter, it must be disarmed.
Important: Using the power door unlock switch or manually unlocking the doors does not disable the content theft deterrent (CTD) arm mode. Also, disconnecting the battery or pulling fuses does not disable the arm mode, since the BCM stores the CTD mode status in memory.
• To disarm the CTD system in standby mode, perform one of the following: - Press the UNLOCK button on the keyless entry transmitter. - Insert a valid key into the ignition and switch to the ON position. • To disarm the CTD system in the armed mode (non-event) or when activated (during an alarm event): - Press the UNLOCK button on the keyless entry transmitter. - Insert a valid key into the ignition and switch to the ON position Locking the Vehicle Without Arming the CTD System Locking the vehicle may be accomplished without arming the content theft deterrent (CTD) system. Use of the manual door locks or using the key to lock the doors will lock the vehicle, but will not arm the CTD system.

Did you check the start relay for voltage? Ohms reading?

If I remember correctly the circuit goes like this:
Key turns ignition switch which puts voltage to the start relay which engages the solenoid.
So if it isn't even clicking and your headlights seem to be working fine then it is either the ignition switch or the start solenoid coil.
On older Fords the start solenoid used to be remote mounted on a fender. I heard newer Ford vehicles had it integrated with the starter like GM does.
A quick visual inspection will tell you which and where you need to look.
You might check if there is a fuse for that as well.

Here is excerpt from the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Service Manual ... i know you posted under 1997 JGC but this information may be helpful ... by "reset alarm" i believe you meant disarming the alarm?

“Arming
Passive arming of the Vehicle Theft Security System (VTSS) occurs when the vehicle is exited with the key removed from the ignition switch, the headlamps are turned off, and the doors are locked using power lock switch. The power lock switch will not function if the key is in the ignition switch or the headlamps are on with the driver’s door open. The VTSS will not arm if either front door or the liftgate are locked using the key in the lock cylinder.
Active arming of the VTSS occurs when the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is used to lock the vehicle, even if the doors and/or the liftgate are open when the RKE transmitter Lock button is depressed. However, the VTSS arming will not be complete until all the doors and the liftgate are closed.
Following successful passive or active VTSS arming, the VTSS set lamp on the top of the instrument panel will flash rapidly for about 15 seconds after the illuminated entry system times out. This indicates that the VTSS arming is in progress. If the light stays on steadily during the arming, it indicates that the hood switch is closed (the hood is open). The VTSS will still arm if the hood is open, but the engine compartment will not be protected. Once the 15 second arming function is complete, the set lamp will flash at a slower rate to indicate that the VTSS is armed. Disarming Passive disarming of the Vehicle Theft Security Sytem (VTSS) occurs when the vehicle is unlocked using the key to unlock either front door or the liftgate. Active disarming of the VTSS occurs when the vehicle is unlocked by depressing the Unlock button of the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. Once the alarm has been activated (horn sounding, exterior lights flashing, and the the engine no-run feature), either disarming method will also deactivate the alarm. Depressing the Panic button on the RKE transmitter will also disarm the VTSS, but the horm will sound and teh exterior lamps will flash for about three minutes as a part of the Panic feature function. ..." And as an additional note, if you have the courtesy interior lights set at 30 seconds like i do, you have to wait until lights go out (with alarm still sounding) before you can disarm the alarm via passive disarm method... what a pain when you don't have the actual RKE handy... Good Luck!

Section 13-11: Anti-Theft System, Active 1998 Windstar Workshop Manual DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Anti-Theft Alarm System NOTE: The system immediately monitors the ignition key lock cylinder upon removal of the key from the ignition. It is not necessary to arm the system for ignition key lock monitoring.

The anti-theft alarm system:

• protects the vehicle from unauthorized entry into the passenger compartment, engine compartment and cargo area.
• monitors the status of the ignition key lock cylinder.
• is controlled by a remote anti-theft personality (RAP) module. The remote anti-theft personality module also controls the electronic door lock functions. Refer to Section 01-14B for more details.
• when armed, detects unauthorized entry into the passenger compartment by using an input from the GEM module regarding the state of the door or liftgate (open or closed).
• protects the engine compartment with a hood switch which is located on the LH cowl vent panel and is part of windshield wiper motor wiring (17A477) .
• triggers an alarm if the ignition lock cylinder is forcibly removed from the steering column.

Once triggered, the system responds by:

• flashing the low beam headlamps, the parklamps, rear lamps and the alarm indicator warning light emitting diode (LED).
• sounding the horn (13832).
• disabling the starter circuit until the system is disarmed.

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Remote Anti-Theft Personality Module

• The remote anti-theft personality module is located behind the instrument panel (04320).
• It contains a radio receiver that receives the RF signal from the keyless entry remote transmitter (15K601) through the alarm and lock system antenna (15603) and sends the appropriate command to the power door locks, the horn relay, or the generic electronic module.
• The remote anti-theft personality module is equipped with an internal backup power supply which holds the programmed code in memory in the event the vehicle battery is disconnected.

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Remote Anti-Theft Personality Module Removal

1. Disconnect battery ground cable (14301). Refer to Section 14-01 .
   

1. Remove radio. Refer to Section 15-01 .
   

1. Remove lower instrument panel center finish panel. Refer to Section 01-12 .
   

1. Lower glove box.
   

1. Remove two remote anti-theft personality module bracket retaining screws.
   

1. Disconnect electrical connectors and alarm and lock system antenna (15603).
   

1. Remove remote anti-theft personality module and bracket.
   

1. Remove remote anti-theft personality module from mounting bracket.
   

Installation

1. To install, follow removal procedure in reverse order.
   

1. Tighten remote anti-theft personality module bracket retaining screws to 6-8 Nm (54-70 lb-in).
   
   

Components The system is composed of the following components:

• remote anti-theft personality (RAP) module with integral antenna
• alarm indicator LED
• door lock cylinder switch RH, door lock cylinder switch LH
• liftgate door lock cylinder switch (220A40)
• hood switch (part of windshield wiper motor wiring (17A477))
• ignition lock anti-theft switch (19A438)

The following vehicle components are also used by the anti-theft alarm system:

• generic electronic module
• power door lock switch (14028)
• door open warning lamp switch (14018)
• autolamp relay (14N089)
• horn relay and bracket (13853) and horn (13832)
• low beam headlamps
• rear lamps (13404) and parking lamps (13200)
• starter relay
• door lock relays
• keyless entry remote transmitter (15K601)

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Disarming an Untriggered System NOTE: A perimeter alarm will "shut off" after 165 seconds, but the system is still triggered and is not disarmed.

An armed but untriggered perimeter anti-theft system can be disarmed by one of the following four events:

1. Unlock the doors by pressing the keyless entry remote transmitter (15K601) UNLOCK button once.
2. Unlock any door with a key.
3. Turn ignition switch to RUN or ACC.
4. The remote entry PANIC button will disarm the anti-theft system only when the perimeter alarm is triggered and sounding.

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System Triggering NOTE: Although the remote entry PANIC alarm is not associated with the monitoring of the vehicle, the user will frequently say that the theft system was triggered when actually the keyless entry remote transmitter PANIC button was inadvertently pressed. A panic alarm will not flash the THEFT indicator.

The alarm can be triggered by the following events if the system has been armed and has not been disarmed first:

• Open any door or liftgate.
• Open the hood (16612) (if the hood was open when the system was armed, it must be closed before it can trigger the alarm).
• Dislodge the ignition key lock cylinder.
• The anti-theft system may be triggered inadvertently when the module is disconnected and then reconnected. To avoid inadvertent alarm triggering, disconnect the smaller 22-way connector first.

When the system is triggered the perimeter alarm will operate as follows: The remote anti-theft personality module will pulse the following outputs at approximately 1.3 Hz, 50 percent duty cycle for two minutes 45 seconds for North America. NOTE: Other perimeter alarms can be programmed for the system.

• low beam headlamps
• parking lamps
• horn
• THEFT indicator

The perimeter alarm can be retriggered, after a perimeter alarm has sounded for 165 seconds. After a perimeter alarm has timed out, if any trigger input is first seen as normal and is then seen in its trigger state, the perimeter alarm will be retriggered. The perimeter alarm can be triggered a total of three times between an arming sequence and a disarm event. An active panic alarm will be deactivated when a perimeter alarm is triggered (a perimeter alarm overrides a panic alarm).

THIS IS FROM YOUR OWNERS MANUAL:
Disarming the System
An armed or activated system can be disarmed if you:
n Unlock the doors by entering the unlock code on the keyless
entry keypad.
n Unlock any door or the liftgate with a key.
n Turn ignition to the ON or ACC position.