THEFT light chokehold on my Excursion
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THEFT light chokehold on my Excursion
I have 02 Limited with 7.3 that I love but it will die then when I try to restart the truck it goes into theft mode and will crank but will not start. When I turn the key to on the position the THEFT light blinks rapidly for about 60 seconds, then blinks once then six times then starts over with the 1 and 6. If I disconnect the batteries it will usually reset and start. I took it to the dealer who told me it was a voltage problem and it needed a new alternator. I was skeptical do to fact the truck never failed to crank and I had measured both batteries at 12.96 volts. So I took the bait paid the $198 diagnostic fee, pickup a new alternator at NAPA on the way home, and installed it. The next day same problem. I read how the PATS cannot be the problem after the truck starts. If that's the case then why does it go into THEFT mode and not start EVERY time after it dies? It may run fine for a day or two then starts acting up again. If anyone has a solution or a similar experience please let me know.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
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From: Ouray, CO
If you have/had a remote start OR after market alarm it's possible there is a loose/cut wire not properly repaired. The PATS and improperly installed/removed remote start or alarms don't play well...
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
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From: Ouray, CO
Maybe PATS is detecting improperly programmed/duplicate keys from AAA?
Dealer also looked up door code for me.
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Yes my 02 has the type B PATS which requires two keys to program using the keys. AAA used a computer for the two they cut. Then later on when I found my lost factory key I used the two new keys to program the old key and they all seemed to work fine for over 2 months. The Ford dealer supposedly checked the new 2 new keys when I took it in last week. The first thing the service adviser ask for was a second key.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Ithaca
Had a similar problem this winter. Ended up having bad batteries alternator and a Cam shaft position sensor. the altinator got fried cause the batteries were bad and it made the pats system activate and woldnt let the truck start real PITA!
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Well after replacing the alternator and the still having the same problem I called the dealer to share my thoughts on their diagnoses.They asked for another try. After two days they had the truck running.The dealer said the cam sensor was the cause and that the tech had to remove the PCM and use a break out box to clear all of the codes. Evidently the sensor was almost crashing the PCM to the point the PATS could not comunicate with it. $348 and I am back on the road.
Last edited by charley_c; Jul 28, 2013 at 10:07 AM. Reason: Sorry left out the PATS
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