What are those little panels above the door handles of US cars?

[TheCracker]

In a similar vein to benzoboy's 'What Are the Barcodes On Some Car Windows? thread....

What are those little panels you see (or perhaps used to see) just above the door handle on some American cars?

They were about 3-4inches long and had a series of 5 or 6 what i can only describe as 'buttons' with numbers on.

Were they some kind of identification symbol or perhaps an after-market security system?

I've only ever noticed them on american cars (in america) and always wondered what they were.

 

[MistaX]

For entering keycodes to unlock your car. Major fad in the early 90's. Entirely useless feature.

 

[TheCracker]

For entering keycodes to unlock your car. Major fad in the early 90's. Entirely useless feature.

Ahhh, thanks for that. I thought it must be the case but because it never caught on outside the US i wasn't sure.

Great way of reducing the value of your car when you come to sell it 👍

 

[opelgt1969]

But it was a nice feature for people who locks their keys inside the car a lot.

 

[TheCracker]

But it was a nice feature for people who locks their keys inside the car a lot.

People who do that deserve to have to walk home IMO

 

[Boundary Layer]

I used to work in a automotive retail department and we actually sold little decals made to look like these little security code panels.

Even more ridiculous is that they actually sold.

 

[Philly]

I used to work in a automotive retail department and we actually sold little decals made to look like these little security code panels.

Even more ridiculous is that they actually sold.

My friend has one of the pads on his 1995ish explorer. He thinks it's the coolest thing and I believe he went so far as to get one for his 1997 Outback. Perfectly useless. A great way to get more money for the same thing.

 

[Duke]

I believe only Ford really made a try at that system, and it was eventually discontinued for lack of enthusiasm from the buying public.

 

[Keef]

Yup, Ford was busy with this keypad, while GM was pioneering the key fob, with which you could unlock the car from a distance.

The only problem with the fob is that can lock it in the car unless it's in the ignition. Then it won't allow the doors to lock.

 

[Philly]

The only problem with the fob is that can lock it in the car unless it's in the ignition. Then it won't allow the doors to lock.

It's just as easy to lock that in the car as a regular key. I usually lock the car as I'm walking away, but I've seen it done before - with the key in the ignition.

 

[YSSMAN]

I believe only Ford really made a try at that system, and it was eventually discontinued for lack of enthusiasm from the buying public.

If I'm not mistaken, Ford still offers this feature on a pretty healthy number of their vehicles. As I can recall, the Taurus and Taurus X still have them, and I know I've seen newer Explorers and Expeditions with them. I'm not sure if the Flex does, and I can't specifically recall seeing any Fusions with them.

But, as I was looking through the Ford website, it appears as though they make no mention of them... Personally speaking, I don't keep up with Ford as well as I do with GM, so I'm not certain if they're available on every, or even any, model anymore.

 

[niky]

I've seen it only on Explorers. Utterly useless feature.

I'd prefer a rotary "bank-vault" dial.

 

[YSSMAN]

Like I said, we had it on our Town Car in Florida, and I only used it once... Just to see if it worked.

 

[GT40 MKII]

I believe only Ford really made a try at that system, and it was eventually discontinued for lack of enthusiasm from the buying public.

that system is standard on my stepdads lightning

 

[3-Wheel Drive]

Our old Maxima had the keypad. They aren't around much anymore. Probably because they are easy to unlock. With a standard code length, and two numbers to a button for only 6 total, they can't be hard to crack. One could even watch someone punch in their number from a little ways way, break into their car when they leave, and re-lock it when done. Hell, someone might not notice until they got home that something was missing.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Does someone mind showing me a pic of what this is? Ive looked on a few american cars, and i cant find them...

 

[Barracuda]

That's what they're talking about