My truck is a 2002 7700 series F150 4x4 with the 5.4 and 4r100. It has been out of commission for over a month now. Here's a rundown of everything that has happened so far.

I got off work one day and got in my truck and started it up no problem and began to drive home. I stopped at McDonald's to get myself a sweet tea and sit down for a couple minutes. When I came outside, my truck would crank till the cow's came home, but no start. I had it towed to a local mechanic thinking it may just be a simple fuel issue. They called me back the next day and informed me that the truck was in theft mode and that every time they cleared the code and tried to start it again, it just went back into theft mode. I assumed maybe the chip in the key had gone bad so I ordered some new ones. I got the keys and called a locksmith to come cut and program them. But he told me it would not help. He said keys don't just go bad. And that it was more likely an issue with the computer not accepting the key. The shop I had the truck at does not deal with computer issues, so I had it towed to a Ford dealership. The dealership is currently having troubles diagnosing the issue. They said they even had to contact the Ford Hotline. And as of right now they are led to believe that the PCM has gone bad and have quoted me $1100 to replace it. But they are double checking to make sure that is the issue before they go ahead and replace it.

I'm just a 19 year old kid that works full time making $10/hr. $1100 plus whatever ridiculous labor costs I've built up at the dealership already will cost me nearly everything I had saved up to get moved into my own place. Any advice pointing me in the direction of getting my truck back on the road would be greatly appreciated. Please and thank you.

 

They could be right.. That being said, I have had keys go bad... also son had a Taurus that the key would not signal the coil and it would not start... Im no expert here but basically I think there is a wire "coil" around the ignition switch and when you put in the key and turn it, the "coil" recognizes the key and sends the signal, probably to the PCM ? If the coil is out of position / loose / not connected, you can get the no start............ to go along with this, while testing the TAURUS he found that he could take the chip key and set it inside the coil ( hanging below column) and get the signal, then he could take a BLANK key with no chip that was cut for the switch and use it to start the car..

 

Turn the key to RUN and let it set a couple minutes.
If the thrift lamp flashes a 2 digit code, come back with that code.
Good luck.

 

Keys I ordered from Amazon were "too short" according to the dealership. So they went ahead and got me two new ones cut and programmed but to no avail. Truck still won't start.

 

Would you do the test and report the result.
Then there is somewhat a direction to go in for the trouble.
So far all that is done is guessing and cost you money until something is proven.
Good luck.

 

I would but the truck is at the dealership and I would have to make a plan ahead of time for someone to give me a ride over there.

 

What is the specific trouble code that is coming up when the truck is scanned for error codes?

 

Sorry about the late response. I don't know what trouble code appears as the truck is at the dealership. But tomorrow they will be attempting to change the PATS module before they mess with the PCM *fingers crossed *

 

HOLD THE PHONE!
You can't do that.
All your going to do is cause more problems, cost and confusion.
Your trying to do things with no basis for doing them but guessing and a hope.
You need the code from the PATS system first to see what the issue is before taking any action.
This is why there are codes built into the system diagnostics so there is no guessing.
Listen please.
You came here for help but not cooperating.
It's certainly your problem and can do whatever you want but it's not the way.
Good luck.

 

Thanks to everyone for your help. Turns out the key hidden up under the front fender was causing problems. The truck is back on the road now.

 

Oh!
What was the trouble with the key hidden up under the front fender?


And did the dealer end up replacing the PCM?


How much did the dealer end up charging you?

 

They did not replace the PCM. And I'm not entirely sure if the key was causing problems or if it was the magnetic box it was in. All I know is that once they found it, my truck was running within the hour. Total bill from the dealership was $475.

 

that's odd... Normally the key and the coil around the ignition lock need to be within a few inches of each other to work .......... hard to see how a spare key 4 feet away would effect that ?

On my key chain I have 3 different vehicle keys all within 4 inches of the lock... but only ONE key in the lock.

 

I am no expert but i have a real hard time believing this. If this was possible it would be a common problem that they would have considered it immediatly.

Awhile back on my 03 5.4 i was having an intermittent no start issue. It would cause a theft light to flash at least some if the time. Ran fine then simply wouldnt start. Ended up being the fuel relaybthat also controlled injector pulse. Curious if u now have a new one you didnt know abiut. Even if what they said was true that still pretty damn lame in their part.