After installing two new batteries, a new alternator and removing the auto start system still having the same problem. It sometimes wont start. It will turn over but wont fire. If the theft light keeps blinking it wont start. Other times no blinking light and it fires right up. Any suggestions as to what to check next.

 

Your key might be bad. Do you have another? The chip in the key may not be communicating with the pats.

 

It doesn't do it all the time. The last time I used both keys and same result. I'm gonna pull the codes later and see what it says.

 

It is highly unlikely the key is bad. That's really rare....

More likely, it has something to do with the "auto-start" you said you removed.

 

Well the guys that installed the remote starter removed it on friday night. They were good enough to go back to their shop after they had closed and called me and got me in and removed the unit. The next day after a 2hr trip north to Watertown same thing it would turn over but not fire. I tried to reset the pats with the key nothing then I disconnected the batteries drained the system touching negative and positive cables put it back on nothing again. Walked away from it for a minute tried again and it fired right up and has been since. I talked to the dealer again today and he said the codes will be all clear cause I disconnected the batteries so he told me when it happens again to call them and they will look at it when it isnt running. Just sucks cause I dont trust it now and dont like dealing with the dealer.

 

Happened again this morning. Turns over no start. I'm running out of AAA tows. Back to the dealer wish I had some ideas what it could be.

 

Did the remote start have some kind of bypass in the column? One that they cut n spliced and possibly hosed?

 

No they showed me all the connections when they removed the system It all looked good. They are a reputable place and always have done a great job. They are a high end custom stereo place.

 

They may be, but the reason I asked, is I used to work for a "high end" custom audio shop. Like SEMA car high end, and I was embarrassed by some of the work my co-workers put out from time to time and I know the shortcuts some of them would make.

It is possible the factory unit in the column is faulty, It has happened before and is more likely than a bad key.

 

Thanks I will make sure they check thatm out today when they get it in the shop I'm getting a little frustrated with the whole thing.

 

It probably isn't the key, but it happened to me. Had to take it to the dealer and they reset the system and gave me new keys.

 

Got a call from the dealer and they tell me I have a bad cam shaft position sensor. What do you guys think.

 

I was having a similar problem with my Ex. Every now and then it would turn over and not start, but when I turned the ignition to off and then retried starting it, it would fire up no problem. Then one time I noticed the "Theft" light was blinking. Every time the Theft light would come on it wouldn't start, but the trick that worked for me was, turning the key back then restarting it. That made the Theft light disappear for me.

The "Theft" light was only coming on with a non-factory key. I bought it used and got two keys. One from the factory with the Ford logo and another generic key, that I assume they had made. So my easy solution was to stop using the generic key.

Are you using a factory key?

Good luck!

 

Cam shaft position sensor would cause a no start but doesn't have anything to do with the theft light.

 

Thanks for all the comments by the way it helps understanding all this stuff. I picked it up yesterday fires right up. Lets see if it will continue. I'm gonna wait a bit before having the auto start put back in. As far as the key I have one original key and one I purchased from the dealer when I first got the truck. It does not say ford on it like the original. It looks exactly the same but says Strattec. They had both keys when they worked on it and it was doing the same intermiten start with both keys. next is fixing the heated front seats adding heat to the rears and dynamatt the floor next week. Thanks for all the help