So I got this friend that has a 2004 ranger. Its a V6 with an auto trans. The other night someone decided they liked his aftermarket radio enough to break into it and steal the radio. While they were in there I guess they figured they liked the truck enough so they hit the steering column with something and broke the bottom plastic piece and the plastic around the key tumbler. The theft like is blinking now and it will not start. The key goes in fine and turns smoothly but it jsut wont start. We tried to wiggle the gear shifter around but no such luck. After reading on here I understand that there is an Anti theft switch in the column that can be triggered with any direct blows to the column? If this is the case how do you reset or correct the issue? Thanks for the help guys.

 

Sorry to hear about your friend's problem. Has your friend checked with the local Ford dealership?

 

Thats just one of the many joys we get to live with in Memphis TN!

We are trying to avoid the dealer at all cost. Any dealer around here is just like the person that tried to steal it, a crook!

 

i think if the light is flashing every 2 seconds that is normal.if it is flashing fast something s wrong.......maybe the ignition switch is broken. I think there is a rod that goes from the key cylinder to the ignition switch, see if that is in place...do the headlights work?

 

There is supposed to be an antenna for transceiver to read code in key to allow truck to start. It may be a short length of wire or built in to ring around cylinder. Check to see if transceiver or ring around ignition is broken. Check for blown fuses. When radio was pulled if wires were cut a fuse could have blown which could be a power source for PATS. In particular cig lighter fuse which is mentioned in link.

Everything you wanted to know about PATS. - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

 

You da man! I will use this for my diagnostics and see where it takes me. Thanks!

 

Well the thief tried to pry the ignition tumbler out of the column and in the process broke the sensor that goes around it. There are thousands of small copper strands hanging out so I assume that is my problem. Can I purchase that part and make this thing work again or will there need to be some programing performed?

 

rockauto.com sells a key cylinder with a transponder key for $60. the owners manual talks about reprogramming the key yourself......