Questions about factory alarm system?

[MagneticGT]

I have a GT with 401A, PP, and the Enhanced Security Package. I have a few questions:

1. What are the LEDs on the tops of each door panel for? They look just like the ones Audi uses for their alarm systems. Like Audi, I would have expected these to flash when the alarm system is armed. However, I have yet to notice them doing anything. And, I don't recall seeing them pictured or described in the owners manual.
2. Is the raised rectangular protrusion in between the center dash speaker and the windshield for the alarm system? Again, I thought this might be a flashing LED to alert passersby that the alarm system is armed. What does it do?
3. Does anyone have any of these security system add-ons from Ford?
   • http://accessories.ford.com/electronic-module-10896.html
   • http://accessories.ford.com/anti-theft-flasher.html
   • http://accessories.ford.com/aerial-asy-10667.html
     
     If so, were they worth it?

Thanks.

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[lint28]

The LED's on the doors just show if the door is locked or not. (red locked). The light will turn off after a certain period of time even though the doors are still locked.

The center dash protrusion is the light sensor for the headlights and dash lights.

 

[B-Fox]

yup, door lock indicators and a light sensor

 

[MagneticGT]

OK. Thanks guys.

So, with all the stuff this car has, there's no flashing LED anywhere to indicate that the alarm is active? :shrug:

 

[valentinoamoro]

LOL. I just was about to post this as well (picked up my car a few days ago and it has the Enhanced security pack as well) and looked at the manual - no mention of anything special to do to activate alarm.

Long story short it I can second your observation that locking the doors with the fob does not cause any flashing light in the car - in fact, there is no flashing light in the car when I walk away. Perhaps we should move this to the general forum to get more folks to weigh in? I also though the raised center protrusion (which folks are mentioning are sensors) should flash - like it did on my BMW M6 and now on my Volvo!

 

[JimmyTwoTimes]

There was an idiot light that flashed on the dashboard under the tach on my S197 when the alarm was active; not sure if that's still there on the S550, haven't checked.

I can tell you that I've accidentally set the alarm off four separate times in a very specific way that I keep forgetting not to do... It's been cold here recently, so I've been remote-starting the car while walking towards it. When you remote-start the car, the alarm evidently stays active until you do a regular start of the engine (unlike when you walk up to the car cold, when unlocking the door shuts off the alarm). Anyway, part of my routine body motion for getting myself into the driver's seat involves, after I sit down, lifting my body up with my elbow on the center console to adjust my torso's position in the seat. Evidently, that force on the top of the electronically locked center console is enough to get the alarm going.

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