Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting PATS key just programmed but not prgrammed??

I had a key cut while my car weas in the shop for 24 days and since my car was built 02/28/98 I do belive I have the 1st gen PATS were you only need 1 key to program another (2nd gen you need 2 keys)

well here the directions I followed straight from my owners manual:

"Key Coding

Replacement keys or a maximum of 15 duplicate keys can be coded.

To program a key, cycle the ignition switch from (3) to (1) with a programmed key. Within 5 seconds of this cycle, insert a new PATS key into the ignition and turn to (3) or (4). If successfl, the theft warning indicator will glow for 2 seconds, and the vehicle can be started. Repeat untill all keys have been pregrammed.

The control light illuminates to indicate a successful programming operation."

I did this to a T and the PATS light lit up how it was supposed to so I figured the key had been programmed. I even started the car w/ the new PATS key. BUT when i turn it off to try to start it again the PATS blinks...indicating a not programmed key??? The original will still work but the newly programmed key will not.

I did this 3 times and each time the same thing happens. The new key will work for 1 startup but when tried again it wont.

Whats the fix for this?

Thanks

Ya I just tried again and it seems like the new key will hold the code for like 10 seconds b/c I can start the car and turn it off and immediatly start it again but if I just let the key sit in the ignition for like 15 seconds and try to start it again it wont work

Also if I remove the key from the igntion and put it back in to try to start it again it wont work

I noticed when using the good key...you can hear the fuel pump buzz (feeding fuel) but when using the new cut key the fuel pump does not buzz.

any ideas?

an off note: the fuel pump will not ALWAYS buzz with each key turn.. it only primes the pressure if the pressure has fallen. (time... etc) that condition you noticed may have nothing to do with the key itself.. (though it may... just stating..)


Ray

well i was thinking the way PATS works is it cuts off the Fuel pump correct? So i thought maybe thats why the fuel pump didn't/doesnt buzz w/ the new key. After that thought crossed my mind I did the sequencing to make the new key work (works only 1 startup) and started the car and let it run. I figured if the fuel pump was cut off due to the PATS then the car would stall out shortly. However the car did not after idling/reving for atleast 5 mins, close to 10.

Im thinking since I told Ford just to cut the key and not program it (to save myself the programming fee) maybe they didnt put a chip (or whatever makes the PATS key a PATS key) inside the key.

Im open for ideas. Im calling Ford tomarrow and bringing this up as well as them cutting the wires on my 6-color inverter from my indiglo gauges.

Your car is late enough that it needs two programmed keys to add additional keys.

When Ford made the change, they didn't bother to tell dealership employees and we had several that we attempted to add a key to like could be done on the early 98s that failed, just like you have described.

Your car will need to be programmed to accept the second key, using a factory scanner.

I'm pretty sure that you can't do the 15 minute thing with a Contour.

If it was built early enough (I don't know the cut off date) you can add a key with one already programmed key. If it was built after the cut off date you will need two already programmed keys. Without two keys, you will need to have the programming done by someone with a factory scanner.