Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting anti-theft device faulty

i have a 98 mercury mystique with 52,350 miles. Periodicaly the car will not recognize the key, but you can go back later and it will crank right up. Sometimes 15 minutes, sometimes over night. Any help would be appreciated.

PATS might be going bad. mustangs have an issue with this as well. mustangs, however, turn themselves off WHILE driving!!! definitely not fun.

if you have warranty, take it to ford. the WDS computer scan will find the PATS fault.

I had that problem with the 6000, it wouldn't turn off, but the SECURITY light would start flashing. It turned out that my key chain was too heavy and it damaged the sensor in the cylinder. Got it fixed, and now for both the 6000 and Mystique, the only things I have on the chain are the remote for the car, and the ignition key. Problem solved