NO START condition- PATS questions

[69marquis conv]

I'm having no start condition with my 04 Grand Marquis and I believe it's related to the PATS system. I have tried both regular keys and the valet key and the starter will not even attempt to spin the engine over with any of them. The instrument cluster lights come on as normal and the fuel pump energizes. The blinking PATS light on the top of the dash blinks rapidly when the key is in the "ON" position. I have 12.6V at the battery.
This has occurred twice since I bought the car over a week ago,but the last time it started after sitting for a while. The selling dealer is 100 miles away. Is there a procedure I can do myself or will I have to have this thing towed to a local dealer for diagnosis?
Any PATS experts out there??!!

[MarauderMark]

Try disconnecting the battery cables for 10 mins then reconnect and see if that helps.

[safado]

once you try a key that "isn't" programmed you need to wait a minute before you can try a key that is... I forgot what its called.. but basically its kind of a lock out..

[larryo340]

Do you have a remote start hooked up ?

[69marquis conv]

No, I do not have a remote start installed.

[MENINBLK]

Remove the keys from your key chain, if you have one.
Turn your Cell phone off too.

Wait at least 30 minutes before you try again.
Put in the key by itself and see if it works then.

Have you Valet parked recently ???

[MENINBLK]

The selling dealer is 100 miles away.

You don't need the selling dealer for service.
Try calling a local Locksmith or at least ask them if they know someone
with experience in Ford PATS systems.

Your last choice should be a LOCAL Ford, Lincoln or Mercury dealership.
If they are not local, try calling them and ask what you can do.

[Zack]

Take the gear selector and cycle it through the gears (car off obvoiusly) and try it it again.
Try it in neutral as well.

[MENINBLK]

This may be helpful...
http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/8/309/article/PATS_Key_System_Programming.ht ml

Much better instructions can be found here.
Don't expect to leave your home anytime soon...
http://www.fordf150.net/howto/patskey.php

[69marquis conv]

Thanks for the ideas. I had tried the NSS earlier today to no avail. Then I ran across this: http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/jan2008/techtips.htm
I adjusted the tilt wheel and upon turning the key to ON, I noticed the LED light on top of the dash didn't start the 16hz rapid flash as it had been doing, and the car started right up (and has every time since). I removed the column covers and checked the connection to the transeiver and noticed a click when I pushed one of them together, so I'm hoping I just had a loose connection.
This could apply to our Marauders too since the circuitry is the same, but wouldn't you know it would be MY car that presents the first symptoms! :mad2:


From asashop.org, by By Jerome Hokanson:


Anti-theft systems are now about 10 years old on Ford products, and they are still one of the most misunderstood systems for some technicians. Ford's active and perimeter anti-theft systems use inputs from the door latch and hood/trunk pin switches to detect if someone is trying to break into a vehicle. The system will flash the headlamps and honk the horn for up to two minutes and then reset for the next event. Active systems are tied into the remote keyless entry systems on most Ford products.
Ford passive anti-theft Systems (PATS) come in two configurations. The first takes away the ability to crank the engine over, using a starter interrupt relay to control the starter relay. The second configuration allows the engine to crank, but takes the fuel injector pulse away. Some systems use a separate anti-theft module, while others are incorporated into the powertrain control module (PCM) or instrument cluster. All PATS systems use a chip in the large black plastic end of the key to trigger a start. The chip is under a small square plug in the key. If there is a hole there, the chip has fallen out.
A small electronic device, a transceiver, is mounted to the bottom of the steering column. It has a loop of wire that goes around the lock cylinder. When the key is put into the ignition cylinder, and turned to the run position, the transceiver sends out a small electronic signal to wake the key up. The key sends out a preset signal to the transceiver. If the transceiver recognizes the key, it will allow the car to start. If the key is not recognized, the car will not crank (if equipped that way) or it will crank but not start. In either case, the theft light will flash rapidly. All keys must be programmed into the PATS system. At the time of this article, the only scanners that can do this type of programming are the factory scanners. The PATS system has its own set of codes. The PCM can generate a P1260 code, which is a generic code indicating that the PCM has seen a PATS event. The next step is to get into the PATS to pull codes. PATS codes are always B codes such as B1600, B1601, B1602, B1681, or B1682. The best place to start is to have the customer bring all of the available keys to the shop. If any of these keys will start the car, you just have a bad key. If none of the keys will start the car, remove the plastic covers around the steering column and inspect the transceiver harness and connector for problems and repair as needed. Check for B+ and ground. If OK, try a new transceiver assembly. This is the cheapest part in the system to replace and will not require programming. If you have any questions on this system, just give us a call.

Jerry Hokanson is an Identifix Ford specialist. He is ASE master and L1 certified and has 31 years of diagnostic repair experience.