Ongoing PATS problems

[T-RED 98]

Crank, no start - no flashing led
No crank, no start - flashing led

This has been a problem since I got the car a little over a year ago. Its been to the service department of the dealership that sold it to me 4 times. Today marks the 5th time. The first time they replaced the ignition cylinder. The following 3 times they reprogramed the keys. The last time I had a problem, the car was towed to a Ford dealer and "fixed"(more reprograming keys). I cant find my work orders for some reason so ill have to wait until tomorrow to post more info (codes and such). However today when I was leaving class I had the No crank, No start flashing led thing happen, with one problem....no code. Well that and the car fired right up after rolling off the flat bed.

So Im left with the following questions..
1. Why no code?
2. Is there any way to bypass the system?
3. Because there is no code will they be able to "fix" it?



Id really hate to get rid of the car because of this, but i'll be moving soon and Ill need a reliable car.
Thanks,
Mark

 

[projectSHO89]

1. Because the PATS system does not post any OBDII codes. It posts body/chassis codes.

2. No.

3. At their current rate, I doubt it.

When the PATS system cannot proveout, it flashes the LED and disables the starter and the engine.

I'd first verify that there are no extra PATS keys on your keychain.

After that, the dealer will likely find that you have an intermittent problem with either the antenna (mounts around the lock cylinder) or the transceiver module, depending on what codes they pull with their equipment.

Steve

 

[SVT3391]

I had one similar experience before. Turned out to be power problem. The contact to the battery may be oxidized so the contact was not optimal. Before I figured that out, I was not able to start the car. However, I found when I have the scanner (Actron CP9135) attached to the OBDII port, I was able to start the car without any problem. I wonder if the autoscanner has some PATS supression function. Without the scanner the red LED blinks fast and the car wouldn't start. Later I detached the battery cable and reattached and all was good.

 

[T-RED 98]

Problem Fixed

Problem Fixed

I checked the TSB's at school and found 00-18-6. Pretty much when the wiper switch is in low or intermittent the car wont start and the PATS light flashes. The wires for the wiper motor are routed too close to the PATS module.
Went outside and checked it, and sure enough it didnt start. So thinking back it makes sense just never put the two together.
Thanks for the replies.

The battery in newer condition and located in the trunk. I checked all power and ground connections a month ago, chasing another problem.

I have two PATS keys, one for the locks and trunk and one for the ignition. The dealership did not cut the new ignition
cylinder for the old key.
I guess I could just replace the battery in the keyless entry fob every year just to be safe, and only carry one key.

 

[svtavino]

Why not just get a normal key cut for your doors and trunk then you still won't be stranded if the fob died.

 

[T-RED 98]

Needing two keys for a one key car is annoying (to me). If I ever get around to it ill buy another cylinder and have it cut to the original key. Id prefer to only have the fob and the key to carry around.

 

[T-RED 98]

update.....

update.....

Well I have another PATS issue.

Car cranks wont start. I dont have a scan tool handy that can read the PATS module, but it seems that the life span of the PATS system is about 4 years. Doing a quick search didnt answer my question, is there anyway to bypass the system? The car has been a beater since I swapped my RX-7 and was kept around because it always started. Now that its yard art, its got to go. Alldata didnt have any wiring diagrams of the system so I have no way to trace power/ground/signal. Maybe I missed it.

Can I swap a non SVT computer? If I changed the Mass Air Meter and computer i think it would run ok, might have a bit more cam surge. Does any one know how I would go about figuring out which computer I would need?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[hetfield]

Car cranks wont start.

If it cranks, it's not PATS.

I dont have a scan tool handy that can read the PATS module, but it seems that the life span of the PATS system is about 4 years.

Where do you come up with four years? I own three 10+ year old Contours w/ PATS and have never had an issue related to it. I've worked on about a dozen other Ford PATS vehicles and have never needed to replace a PATS module. Sure it happens, but it's not a common problem. When I have heard of PATS problems it usually has to do with a bad install of an alarm system or similar.

Doing a quick search didnt answer my question, is there anyway to bypass the system?

I have never seen a way documented. Considering the point of it is to be an anti-theft system I would really hope Ford designed it to be difficult to override.

I don't doubt that your vehicle is having some electrical problems. I would start by going over all of the wiring harnesses in the engine bay, as 98's are known for problems with older wiring that becomes brittle.

 

[T-RED 98]

I was going to edit my post but saw you had already responded.


To start from the begining:

When I originally got the car it would randomly crank and not start. Had the car towed to the used car lot that sold the car and upon scanning the BCM, they found codes for the PATS system. Originally they replaced the receiver. Problem fixed. I drove the car for two weeks, then crank no start. The dealership then replaced all related PATS components. Problem fixed again, accept now I have 2 keys programed for the new PATS, 1 old key for the doors/trunk, and when my wipers are on the PATS system will keep the car from cranking.

So 4 years later, random crank no start. When I turn the key (tried both keys) the fuel pump primes, check engine light comes on, PATS light stays lit for 3 seconds then goes out. Turn the key to start and the PATS light comes on and goes out.
Ill have to wait until late tomorrow to get a scanner that "might" read bcm codes, and tools to get more info.
Some quick searching and I believe that I have PATS 4, which will not enable the injectors and/or fuel pump. I really don't know that much about the system, but my hunch is that PATS is my problem.

I think that bypassing the system is very possible, just not worth it from a short term time/money standpoint. If I were to keep the car, I'd do it in a heart beat, This is the ONLY problem I've had with the car. Aside from a few sets of tires and front brake pads its just been gas and oil changes.