I am considering removing the dealer-installed Ford Vehicle Security System in my 2002. It splices into existing wiring and should be easy to take out, but I'm unsure of how the PATS system works without it. Does anyone have a stock PATS system from 2001-2002 that they could show a picture of the wiring from the transceiver ring to the harness/pats module? Hopefully with some indication of the wire colors and where they plug in and lead to. You would have to take off the panel under the steering wheel to see (couple 7mm bolts) but it’s really easy.


Current setup (or close)

This thing

 

You can not unplug it and leave it off... The system NEEDS TO SEE the key that matches the code in the PCM to start.. If you want to DELETE the system, you need to have the PCM reprogrammed by a third party.

 

Yeah I know it needs the pats, but the Ford vehicle security system is a dealership installed item and is after-factory. So the pats worked without it originally.

 

You should indeed be able to just remove it. Its PATS bypass feature uses either a key-in-a-box or an RFID chip that was programming into the PCM when the thing was originally installed. That simply piggybacks over the standard cylinder PATS transceiver. If it has the key-in-a-box version, take the key out and add it to your collection. If it's the non-key version, the only reason to erase and reprogram PATS is if you happen to run up against the maximum number of keys limit.

 

I think it’s the rfid one. Right now it plugs into the alarm system. How can I use it without any idea?

Pats plugs in here


RFID device?

 

A photo of its label, if any, would be more useful.

 

Wish I had one, it peeled off during the previous owner. I have the diagram above though.

 

Just unplug the brain box. if everything still works as expected, you're done.

 

Unplug it? From power?

 

Yeah I see what’s going on now, it’s piggybacking just like you said. So maybe if I just yank it out it’ll work? Or is it possible that they reprogrammed the key when they installed the alarm?

A is the original(pink and black), B is the alarm system piggybacking

Original plug

 

I had an aftermaket security system on a 2002 10 years ago... I pulled off each wire individually and started the truck after each disconnect... The ones that were spliced in parallel (TEE INTO THE ORIGINAL) i cut and not problem.. I did find a wire (white i think) that had been cut and something put in series with the original. Cut if out, but had to spice the white wire back together... Slow and steady was my method... one wire at a time.

 

Probably a starter interrupt. If the OP's truck has that implemented, he'll likely need to do the same.

 

After cutting it out completely (good riddance) the theft system works fine without it. I still have starter and no theft codes, but still no fuel pump.

My original problem was crank but no start. Thought that security system was disabling my fuel pump but I’ve eliminated that now.

Now I have pcm code p0232.

 

P0232 FORD Possible Causes

Blown Fuel Pump fuse
Open Fuel Pump Monitor Circuit
Faulty Fuel Pump Relay
Damaged Engine Control Module (ECM)

Son had a problem with fuel pump system... fuse was OK... Pulled the tank and squirrels had eaten the wire above the tank and no power at the tank............ also check pump operation............ pump with 150K miles would be suspect.

 

Bad fuel pump. I pulled the fuel pump assembly out and it's ground wire was not plugged in. It had a locking spade connector that was installed backward by the installer and it slid right off after it was installed because it didn't lock. It took me forever to get to the fuel pump because the previous owner said he just put that brand new one in.

Also, the truck runs flawlessly without the alarm system, so anyone wondering if they can just cut it out, that's what I did. Thanks all.