Old Demons are back

[L.Mark]

Just when you thought it was safe to drive in the rain...
Last night it has rained and the air was heavy with a lot of moisture in the air. Went to start the car and nothing. Had power everything work just nothing. No click, crank nothing. Except the little light near the windshield is flashing fast. Had this happen once before but that time a lot of other things were going on too. Unhook the battery and retry everything and still nothing. I called my wife to come get me and to try her key. While I waited I took the battery cable off and waited. When she pulled up I hooked up the battery and knew it would start because the light was flashing normal. Used her key first, fired right up. then tried mine and the same. With this a DD I don't have the time nor the expertise to go poking around with the wiring, but will give it a try to keep labor costs down. Since I already have several chunks in this and it's nowhere near being solved.
Help would be greatly appreciated.

[marauder410]

thats a PATS issue/usually a bad key try a different key

[fastblackmerc]

I'd start by cleaning the battery terminals and the grounds. Make sure they are all clean and tight.

[L.Mark]

Can the keys go bad???

[fastblackmerc]

thats a PATS issue/usually a bad key try a different key

He did try a different key and it worked... then he tried the original key and it worked.

[fastblackmerc]

Can the keys go bad???

Yes, the resistor in the key can go bad. Usually once they go bad they stay bad.

If you unhooked the battery and then was able to start the car with the key I bet the key isn't bad.

[L.Mark]

It's done this twice. ANd the first time when the other key was used and started the car the original key worked as well.

[ctrlraven]

Get one or two spare keys cut and you can program them yourself providing you have TWO keys to start the program cycle with.

Personally I have four keys, two originals, 1 valet and an extra one I had cut and programmed myself.

[L.Mark]

Will it still work if one of the keys is possible bad??? However, my Spidey Sense is telling me it's not the keys but a deeper problem because of the cycling of the fuel pump and radio issue when alot of moisture is in the air or a very rainy day. Could they all be connected???

[ctrlraven]

Will it still work if one of the keys is possible bad??? However, my Spidey Sense is telling me it's not the keys but a deeper problem because of the cycling of the fuel pump and radio issue when alot of moisture is in the air or a very rainy day. Could they all be connected???
It this issue seems to happen when there is a lot of moisture in the air or very rainy, then yes you have an other issue than the keys/pats.

[L.Mark]

The other issues have happened many times, but the keys only twice. Coincidence or an indication of worsening???

[Darigaaz]

I have a question. If the key has a resistor in it, is it possible to bypass the system by splicing a resistor pack with the same resistance in the line? Is it similar to VATS?

[L.Mark]

I know you can disable the PATS with a tune...

[L.Mark]

I checked the fuses under the hood and noticed that the PCM(little black one over to the left) is really loose. Could that be possible what is causing some of the problems???

[Haggis]

Your getting moisture somewhere, check for frayed wires.

[L.Mark]

Checked once along with my mechs...supposde to be nice saturday, I'll check again...