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I have a 1997 ford expedition xlt 4.6 that won't start because of PATS. tried reprogramming two new keys through a locksmith and he erased the codes and could not get the new keys to work. he thinks there is a short somewhere in the system. has anyone on here changed out the ecm for a reprogrammed one without PATS. truck is sitting at a shop where they are still. trying to trouble shoot. I do have a third party alarm system with a remote start and it is disabled but still the theft light still blinks rapidly.
This is difficult to troubleshoot via a forum. The PATS module may be bad, the communication bus may be bad etc. Hopefully the shop can fix this. Google search for companies that can delete PATS. It takes specialty equipment and knowledge.
Jim
Edit: You can buy one of these on eBay for $35 with free shipping and returns.
Check out item number, 176695376755
If it doesn't fix the issue, you are only out what return shipping costs.
Good luck
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Last edited by JimsRebel; May 26, 2026 at 11:11 AM.