If a regular uncoded key can open the doors, and presumably not set off the perimeter alarm, just what exactly does our alarm system do? A slim-jim can open the door just as easily as a key, (I'm guessing here, no I have not tried this!) by hooking onto the door's own internal mechanism, and unlatching it from within. So can our alarm system tell the difference between a door opened by a key vs. by a break-in tool? Or does this perimeter alarm only work if somebody physically pries open the door with a crowbar? (which of course is not how theives break into cars).<br><br>Does anyone have any insight into the workings of our perimeter alarms? Who makes them... maybe they have a website that explains it?<br><br>Ciao,<br><br>jhg

Just to confirm it I tried my spare key without the chip in it and it opened the Escape without any alarms going off. This makes sense as the chip is for the ignition not the doors. It seemed to unlock and lock the doors electronically<br><br>I'm not sure how the slim jim and the alarm system would react. It might be that you can mechanically unlock the door with the slim jim but not disengage the electronic sensor. Hmmm good question.<br><br>Gary