Took my 99 XLT super cab to a Ford dealer to have a new key made (I have only one so can't do it myself). I was told the PAT (Passive Anti-Theft) module wouldn't communicate with their system.....

As I understand it, the PAT module communicates wirelessly to the key module under the steering column. Since the PAT module is obviously working (the truck cranks, starts and runs fine). What are they talking about?

Anythoughts ....

 

A 99 F150 doesn't even have a PATS module, that function is built into the instrument cluster.

The PATS system components are the key(s), the PATS transceiver (the antenna around the ignition cylinder), the instrument cluster, and the PCM. Except for the antenna, everything else must be "married" to each other.

 

Sounds like a stealership is trying to take you for a ride and sell you something you don't need, more than just a key.
Take it to a local locksmith and it will probably be cheaper to get 2 keys made there than one at a dealership.

 

OK guys. I hadn't thought about using a locksmith. I will contact one and let everyone know what I find.

Thanks!

 

Too bad you don't have a 97-98 truck, they only need one key to program more with. I bought two blanks on eBay on the cheap, took them to my local locksmith and they cut them for half price. Programmed them myself in the parking lot with the PATS Job Aid PDF on my phone.

Be sure they don't try to 'clone' your existing key. That means you'd never be able to program it yourself later on if need be.

 

97 and 98 F150s didn't have PATS...... the SUVs did, though.

 

Perhaps it was an option? Seems like I've seen a few questions about 97-98 trucks and PATS here. It'd be awesome if we could get some dealer brochures scanned to help demystify things like this, as is the case on the RX7club for 86-92 models.

 

Nope, PATS was never on the first two years of that generation of pickup, only on the SUVs.

Google "PATS Job Aid". Look for the one that covers the early models, there are at least three different versions.

 

I'm familiar with it, got it on my laptop for such occasions. First rule of owning a car is having a spare key, it's just good practice.

Seems odd that Ford didn't offer it, considering that an Expedition is basically a short bed F150 with a cap and 2 more doors cut into the bed. One would think that if it is on my 97 Expy XLT 5.4 4x4 , a F150 XLT 4x4 would have it too.

Maybe on the lowest/cheapest models it wasn't available? When Mazda brought out the FC RX7 in Japan, the lowest model, the GT, could be purchased without a radio on request (using parts from the first gen RX7) or came standard with a single DIN AM/FM setup and no higher options. The storage boxes behind the seats weren't even there on it! That option crossed the pond on the 4lug models, first time I heard/saw it was from admin Aaron Cake back in 2008 right after getting my RX7.

Times like this are why I wish I was in the parts department of a Ford/Mazda dealer

 

This ain't a Mazda.

Ford started installing PATS for the 96 model year on certain models, then it filtered down the various product lines as models were refreshed. Refer to your chart. That was twenty years ago, end of story. It is what it is now.

 

No arguments here. Mazda does the same thing. Remember when a GPS system was only on high end stuff? Mazda did it before anyone else on the Eunos Cosmo back in 1990. Car was already expensive, but this was a rare option only on the top-tier 20B Type E-CCS model. Something like a $7000 option. A friend of mine imported one a few years ago and we've been playing around with it every so often. It's funny seeing locations here in the US written in Katakana. Saruto Raki ****i comes to mind

My grandfather's 98 E150 van doesn't have PATS, but that's because it's the absolute bottom of the barrel 4.2 V6 model because he's a cheapo.

It'd be interesting to get some dealer literature like NOS brochures and spec sheets.

 

I drive a 97 lariat. If i just lock my doors one click on the fob or with the key, a theft light comes on in the dash. The alarm will go off randomly throughout the day and night. The only way to have it not go off or set the theft light is to push the door locks by hand. I can not lock them with the buttons on the door without it going into theft mode.
I have looked it up on the net and can not find a solution.

 

You do not have a PATS issue since you don't have PATS in your truck. Please start your own new thread instead of hijacking an unrelated one.

 

Wow.

I am unsure if i have a pats system. The other posters are saying they are not sure what models in the years received pats or if certain models in earlier years did receive them.
Everything i have found about my issue, says it is a pats issue.
Take the stick out your butt and relax a bit.

You posted that the original thread starter does not have a pats system either.

 

No, he posted that there is not a PATS module because there is no such part on a 1999 F150. All his information is correct, including the recommendation to start your own thread per forum rules (on pretty much every forum ever). Dude even said please. This ensures that the original poster gets help on the issues they are having without other people dogpiling on with unrelated issues crowding up the thread. Someone with your post count on this forum should already know all this.

F150s did not get PATS until 1999 model year.
And for any Ford vehicle, it has nothing to do with trim level whether or not it has PATS. It is based on model year.

No 1997 or 1998 F150 was originally equipped with PATS.