I have a 2001 Ranger that I just got 3 days ago (only 23,000 miles) and I can't start it. It started at the dealership to get home and started the first time at home. The next time I tried to start it I put the key in and turned it to on position and the red theft light in the dashboard started blinking rapidly and it would not start. I tried the next day for about 10 minutes and finally got it started. The weird thing is that I don't think I have done anything different the times it starts and the times it doesnt. The exact same thing has happened two more times where I will go out to try it and it will start fine and not blink theft but then the other 98% of the time it just blinks theft and I can't start it. It does have an aftermarket alarm system in it and it has a little red led right to the left of the steering column. When it is unlocked to led does not blink and when the car will not start because of the ford anti-theft light the aftermarket alarm does not go off so I think it must be working and the problem must be in the ford system. I have tried everything I can think off including trying the spare key and unhooking the battery thinking that when all the electrics reset to default that the problem in the anti-theft system might go away but nothing works. Has anyone else had this problem or know any possible solutions?! Thanks

 

The problem is most likely the aftermarket anti-theft system interfering with the factory system. When we take any vehicle in trade that has an aftermarket alarm, we just remove it. Every damn one of them has been nothing but trouble for us. And why would you want to add a system when the factory one is one of the best on the market? I know of NO ONE with the Ford system that has had their vehicle stolen. Your truck is still under warranty, so get it back to the dealer you bought it from and have them fix it.

 

I agree with taking it back to the dealer. That's his problem, not your's.

But assumeing you can't for whatever reason, who makes the after market system? Have you tried doing a search for their website? Most after market systems require you to motify or disconnect the factory system.

 

Do you have 2 keys on the same ring? If you have 2 of the computer chip keys on one key ring i can confuse the factory system leading to a "no start condition"
that would be my advice. Otherwise its probably the aftermarket system.
I was thinking about getting one just for the alarm. Mine doesnt have a factory alarm just anti theft.

Rand

 

STILL UNDER WARRANTY, TAKER IT BACK TO THE DEALER, WORKING ON IT YOURSELF COULD CAUSE YOU PROBLEMS WITH THE DEALER/WARRANTY IF YOU DO TAKE IT IN.