Can someone tell me if the 2002 Ranger had the PATS security system? This is the one that disables the engine if the chipped key doesn't match up. Thanks.

 

Yes it does. The chart I checked indicated it was used with all engine options that year. Should be a theft light in dash that flashes periodically with ignition and engine off. If you try to start it and it senses a fault the light will flash rapidly and starter will not crank.

 

Thanks for your reply.

In these early PATS equipped Rangers, would it be possible to put in a "computer" from an earlier year OBDII but similarly equipped Ranger(same engine, tranny, etc.) as a means of getting around the PATS. (I'm looking at buying a 2002 but I don't want the PATS. I have had a bad experience with it in an Escape).

 

1998 was as far as I know the last year without PATS .. Putting a 98 computer in a 2002 is asking for trouble !!!! For my 99 there are like 8 different computers for that year,,,i assume for different rearend gearing and wiring differences such as power windows and whatever.. My advice is go to your local ford dealer and have 2 fleet keys cut to fit your truck. Then you will need a shop or locksmith that has the tool to program your computer to accept the 2 new keys,,,,you might want to get 3 keys in case one is lost because it takes 2 keys to program and have the 3rd key programed in as well as a spare that is put where you can find it in case of lost keys !!!!!

 

i have an 01 ranger and ive been down this road bought keys off ebay tried to get them cloned and didnt work so went to lowes had a key cut and cloned worked fine had another key cut and cloned at a local hareware store worked fine the keys i got local cost
about $80/$90 each the keys i got from ebay ended up costing me about $60 and was a waste of time- nobody is going to clone a key for less than what it would cost to purchase a key from them
good luck

 

from what k5evd said, I have purchased keys from ebay many times and both done the "program a third with 2" and had one programmed for me when I only had one on hand. Never had a problem with any of them. Just had local hardware store do the cut for me. I think I paid about $10 each for mine.

 

Thanks for your replies. I've had problems with the PAT system and keep trying to think of any way to get around it. Looks like I'm just going to have to keep living with it.

 

PATS is highly reliable, but there are a few simple pointers to be aware of:

* Having another vehicles PATS key on the same keychain (or near the steering column) as the vehicle you are trying to start is known to cause no-start problems.

* Using shhitty, non-OEM PATS keys (ebay is ripe with them) is associated with an unreliable PATS system. The solution need not automatically be to buy blanks from Ford but to realize that Stratec (and I believe one other company whose name isn't coming to mind) are OEM key vendors to Ford, and you can buy these OEM keys online for very fair prices.

* Don't clone keys, instead, make originals. Usually this takes two unique keys (a reason right here to NOT make clones) in order to produce the third. If you don't have two unique keys you have to options:

a) take it to someone who can program the PCM (which has PATS built into it) to product two or more unique keys, or

b) if you use FORScan on your windows laptop, you can program the PCM (PATS) to produce the keys yourself.

 

Thank you for your very complete reply. I'll take your advice.