Unprogrammed PATS key for stereo only?

[telson]

I like to listen to my MM's stereo while I'm cleaning/detailing it in the driveway. So I have to place my PATS key in the ignition and turn it to the stereo-only position.

This is Ok, unless I have to run off (e.g. retrieve my 2 year old from heading off into the road, etc.) and I'm then leaving my car essentially unattended with the keys inside.

I have seen Mercury PATS keys on eBay. If I got one of these, had it cut to match my current keys but DIDN'T get it programmed, could it work the stereo without starting the car? Or does the PATS stuff prevent everything electrical from working?

Thanks.

[mrjones]

I have seen Mercury PATS keys on eBay. If I got one of these, had it cut to match my current keys but DIDN'T get it programmed, could it work the stereo without starting the car? Or does the PATS stuff prevent everything electrical from working?

Why couldn't you buy a non-PATS key (much cheaper) to do that?

[TheDealer]

What he said!!!

[telson]

Why couldn't you buy a non-PATS key (much cheaper) to do that?
Oh! Yes, good point!

So... would it work, or does the PATS system disable just the ignition, or the stereo also?

[Bradley G]

Ignition only

[TheDealer]

Make sure you don't go to start or it will put the Pats system into theft mode and nothing will start the car.

[CRUZTAKER]

Make sure you don't go to start or it will put the Pats system into theft mode and nothing will start the car.
Uhhh....yeah...WHAT HE SAID!:P :P :P

:mad2: We've seen that....and that isn't a pretty situation! :mad2:

Right Mark?

[jaywish]

Interesting,

What needs to happen to get out of theft mode.

I was thinking of leaving a decoy (unprogramed) key around in case the house is ever robbed and they wanted the car also.

Jay

[TheDealer]

The car would have to be towed to the dealer and have the systems and all your keys reprogramed.

[MarauderMark]

Uhhh....yeah...WHAT HE SAID!:P :P :P

:mad2: We've seen that....and that isn't a pretty situation! :mad2:

Right Mark?



I ressemble that.OOOHHHHH the pain :censor: :censor: :censor: .i got a valet key with my car .samething correct ive never tried using it?

[Dr Caleb]

.samething correct ive never tried using it?


Valet is the same, it just won't open the trunk, or the lock for the trunk switch. Unless you put the other remote on it :rolleyes:

[michburt]

At the risk of sounding like a twit, what's a PATS?

Mike:confused:

[jaywish]

Passive Anti Theft System

The key has a transponder in it. Each key is programed to the cars main computer. This means if somebody rips out the ignition lock and tries to start the car with a screwdriver it won't start because the computer says no matching transponder, no start the car.

This feature should be good for a discount on your insurance, check out if they gave it to you.

There are other past threads dealing with programing the keys yourself (it's in the manual) so you can have extra keys etc.

The important thing in this thread is that if you just get a blank, have it cut and don't program it before turing it in the ignition, it will put the car in theft mode.

Fun fact -Our keys are PATS III

Jay

[MENINBLK]

Interesting,

What needs to happen to get out of theft mode.

Jay

Jay,

There is a specified amount of time that the vehicle is disabled.
It ranges with the vehicle type and manufacturer.
With GM Cars, they ignition system would be disabled for 30 - 60 minutes,
unless you had a scanner to reset the PATS sytem.
I don't know what the time period is for the Marauder but I'm sure
someone here who works in a Dealership can look that info up for us.