Factory Installed Anti-theft

Anybody know anything about them. A couple of months ago my Ranger would start intermittently. I figured it was either the ignition switch or the clutch interlock. I replaced both and it has been working perfectly until this morning. Just like before it won't do anything, but I did notice the Theft light in the dash blinking very fast. Any thoughts?

yes its a very common problem .... the key is not communicating with the system ... try your other key ...what year is it Doug

'02

yes in those years it does use a type of an immoblizer for the factory security .....try your other key and make sure you have a good battery

I just tried the other key, no go ! Battery has plenty of juice.

ok so go under the hood and disconnect both the positive and negative terminal and let sit for 15 mins , then you want to short the 2 terminals together(**** off the battery****) , it will drain what ever storage capacitence in all the modules , let me know what happens , then try to restart and also tell me what he theft light is doing

Doug Rahn wrote:I just tried the other key, no go ! Battery has plenty of juice.

Well our 04 f250 was acting weird like that too a week or two ago. my dad bearly made it home, the electronics kept cutting out and the lights were dimming. The ECU kept cutting out so it was idleing down our road basically. The alternator was bad, went to Napa and got a NEW one. They now offer new ones too instead of just rebuilt ones. it was about $150 and they didn't want the core.

bruno wrote:ok so go under the hood and disconnect both the positive and negative terminal and let sit for 15 mins , then you want to short the 2 terminals together(**** off the battery****) , it will drain what ever storage capacitence in all the modules , let me know what happens , then try to restart and also tell me what he theft light is doing

Still no go ! Key off-light blinks normal, Key on- light blinks really fast.

one more thing to try .... take the key and lock the drivers door then unlock , then take you key fob and hit the lock then the unlock(if you have the factory keyless entry) .... then try to start

Doug it just really strange to see both keys corrupt ..... you dont have anything odd on your key chain , like a toll both speed pass etc.... ?

Nope! Just keys and nothing on the spare.

here is some info from a tech bulletin

how about the anti-theft transceiver module behind the lower steering column shroud

or
Antitheft - Passive

The PATS uses a specially encoded ignition key. Each encoded ignition key contains a permanently installed electronic device called a transponder. Each transponder contains a unique electronic identification code out of over 18 billion, billion combinations.

The Passive Anti-theft System (PATS) , also known as SecuriLock(R), uses radio frequency identification technology to deter a drive-away theft. This system is known as SecuriLock(R) in North America, Safeguard(R) in the U.K., and PATS in Continental Europe. Passive means that it does not require any activity from the user.

The SecuriLock(R) System (PATS) is not compatible with aftermarket remote start Systems, which allow the vehicle to be started from outside the vehicle. These systems may reduce the vehicle security level, and also may cause no-start issues. If equipped the remote start system must be removed before investigation of PATS-related, no-start issues.

Each encoded ignition key must be programmed into the vehicle's Powertrain Control (PCM) before it can be used to start the engine. There are special diagnostic repair procedures described that must be carried out if a new encoded ignition key is necessary.

This system contains a new feature named Unlimited Key Mode. This feature allows a customer to program more than eight keys to the vehicle if they request it. Each vehicle in Unlimited Key Mode is set up with a special Unlimited Transponder Security Key. This allows all the customer vehicles to share the same keys, but no other keys from outside can be used to operate the vehicles. For an individual customer, any randomly selected Security Key is acceptable. Refer to Unlimited Key Mode Programming in Key Programming Switch State Control.

The PATS transceiver module communicates with the encoded ignition key. The module is located behind the steering column shroud and contains an antenna connected to a small electronics module. During each vehicle start sequence, the transceiver module reads the encoded ignition key identification code and sends data to the PCM.

The control functions are contained in the PCM. This module carries out all of the PATS functions, such as receiving the identification code from the encoded ignition key and controlling the engine enable. The PCM initiates the key interrogation sequence when the vehicle ignition switch is turned to RUN or START.

All elements of the PATS must be functional before the engine is allowed to start. If any of the components are not working correctly, the vehicle will not start.

The PATS uses a visual theft indicator. The indicator will prove out for three seconds when the ignition switch is turned to RUN or START under normal operation. If there is a PATS concern, this indicator will either flash rapidly or glow steadily when the ignition switch is turned to RUN or START. The PATS system also flashes the theft indicator every two seconds at ignition OFF to act as a visual deterrent.

The PATS will be activated and will disable the vehicle from starting if there is a:


incorrectly encoded ignition key
damaged encoded ignition key unprogrammed key
non-encoded key (key has no electronics)
damaged wiring
damaged transceiver
damaged PCM

also check the codes as they would be there if there was a problem

Still nothing. Sounds like this is going to be an expensive trip to the dealer!

Doug Rahn wrote:Still nothing. Sounds like this is going to be an expensive trip to the dealer!

last thing we can try is to disable the factory alarm ....give me a sec

go to the drivers kick panel and find the pink w/ orange strip and ground that wire to chassis...first ck it with a multimeter and tell me what it reads (just want to make sure you are on the correct wire) then turn the ignition on and proceed to crank

but tell me what that wire reads first

bruno wrote:go to the drivers kick panel and find the pink w/ orange strip and ground that wire to chassis...first ck it with a multimeter and tell me what it reads (just want to make sure you are on the correct wire) then turn the ignition on and proceed to crank

but tell me what that wire reads first

Only one wire under the kick panel, black ground wire to the body.

xl,xlt ..what is the trim level ....ck the pass kick ...either that i might need to have a cup of coffee

XLT, if you're referring to the code in the door jam, EX.

Doug if my memery is correct mine was under the cup holder between the seats on my 2000 when I stripped it all out.not in the kick panels.but mine was a automatic trans and the sensor was right above it in the dash.I should have kept all the stuff like that but got tired of it laying around and trashed it all.


Jim

I give up, I'm going to take it to the dealer on Friday. I spent most of the day replacing all of the fuel lines on the small block Mustang so I can drive it to work. Damn alcohol they put in the gas ate them up . I turned on the pump and the damn lines leaked like a garden soaker hose.

Okay guys, I am totally speechless right now. I went out to disconnect the battery charger from the Mustang, and thought I would try the Ranger one more time. The damn thing started right up . I am at a total loss.

Doug that sounds like something that woould happen to me maybe it was just having a bad did you do some to piss it off sometimes I think they have a mine of there own.Maybe it was just a glinch the system had and fixed itself good luck with it.

I know on the Mustangs the wire, or "antenna" that gets the signal from the key can come loose under the column plastic. Maybe take the plastic off the colum and see what it looks like. There should be a single wire under there that clips, or ends around the tumbler...