I have a 98 expedition EB. I had to replace the Temp sensor today and now when I try to start it it appears that the Theft Mode is in procees and it is preventing the car from starting. The THEFT light blinks rapidly on the dashboard. I don't think the engine is getting any gas. I checked any rechecked everything I took apart.

Does anyoine know how to deactivate the THEFT MODE???

Dale

 

Try a different key. Which temperatire sensor did you replace? 'Theft mode' is not readily bypassable.

 

All you have to do is lock and unlock the driver side door from the outside with the key.

It that easy.

 

I tried locking and unlocking the door manually with the key. That did not work.


I replaced the temp sensor for the engine heat. It has a brass threaded tip on it and a wire that plugs into it, in the front & top of the engine.

I just tried the 15 minute approach per the PATS security system re-programming methos...... leave key in on position for 15 minutes and then turn to full off. I did this three times. That did not work either. The THEFT mode light is still blinking fast. It blinksfast for about 3 minutes intotal and then It blinks once stops for about 3 seconds and then blinks six consecutive times. It repeats this pattern about six times.

THIS IS CRAZY!!

 

The only time I had this happen is when I was installing a chip. The connection was poor and with that fixed I had no problems.

I'm a little unsure of the key-in-the door trick. If that were the case, anyone with the right key could steal the vehicle. That would defeat the whole idea of PATS.

I'm afraid that if there are no other electrical faults that a trip to the dealer is in order.

If you said you had messed with the instrument cluster, the PCM, or something like that I could see you problem happening. But not from just replacing the termperature sensor.

 

Try another key (in the ignition)... if that doesn't work, it will probably need to be towed to the dealer... the PATS system is not user-serviceable.

 

not sure on the 98 but the 97 is serviceable.

 

I had this same situtation with my 01 XLT. Whatever part inside of the steering column that "reads" the computer chip in the key went bad (PATS system). If the system does not read a correct key, it does not engage the fuel system, and you can try all you want, but no start! Had to have mine towed to the dealer. Not sure of the cost, as it was under my extended warranty. That the only way to fix it I know of.

 

I had mine towed to dealer and they found the computer brain was fried. It took out some other fuses and cost me dearly. What a way to start off a relationship with a truck.

 

I have a 01 ranger xl. I bought it used with 30k on it from a dealer. He only had 1 key. Everyone has told me that it has a pats and to get extra keys, I have to go to the dealer for xtra keys so they can be programmed. Here's the strange thing. I bought 2 new oem pats keys for my truck on e-bay. I took them to a guy first that has all of the equipment needed to program the keys for a much cheaper price. When he hooked up his computer to the obd2 connector, it told him that something was wrong with my system, unable to read it. He said I would need to take it to ford, so they could figure out what was wrong. Took it to ford and they told me the same. Unable to program my pats. So I have made an appt. for them to check over the entire wire system in my truck to find the problem. My truck starts and runs fine with my only 1 orig. So i decided to have the 2 blanks I bought cut. I thought for the heck of it, to try and start my truck with one of the blanks. Low and behold, my truck started. I even drove it on the interstate for at least 15 miles to make sure that it wouldn't die on me. I then proceeded to try the second key, which worked as well. Can someone tell me why I can use these keys that hasn't been programmed. Is it because my pats isn't working or is it something else ?

 

I have a 01 ranger xl. I bought it used with 30k on it from a dealer. He only had 1 key. Everyone has told me that it has a pats and to get extra keys, I have to go to the dealer for xtra keys so they can be programmed. Here's the strange thing. I bought 2 new oem pats keys for my truck on e-bay. I took them to a guy first that has all of the equipment needed to program the keys for a much cheaper price. When he hooked up his computer to the obd2 connector, it told him that something was wrong with my system, unable to read it. He said I would need to take it to ford, so they could figure out what was wrong. Took it to ford and they told me the same. Unable to program my pats. So I have made an appt. for them to check over the entire wire system in my truck to find the problem. My truck starts and runs fine with my only 1 orig. So i decided to have the 2 blanks I bought cut. I thought for the heck of it, to try and start my truck with one of the blanks. Low and behold, my truck started. I even drove it on the interstate for at least 15 miles to make sure that it wouldn't die on me. I then proceeded to try the second key, which worked as well. Can someone tell me why I can use these keys that hasn't been programmed. Is it because my pats isn't working or is it something else ?

 

For your Ranger, I'd bet it's got a PATS key hidden somewhere, maybe under the dash as part of an alarm system or other PATS avoidance. The "brain" should not be sending power to your fuel pump without reading the PATS through the column mounted antenna. If it works this way, be happy

 

When my 97 did the same thing I ended up having to take it to the dealer..

 

97_ex, you're 97 Ranger wouldn't have had the PATS System. That started in '99 in the Rangers and ended in '05. Many of us Locksmiths have the equipment to service your PATS equipped vehicles and we are generally less expensive and faster than a dealer would be. Nothing against dealers, we all need them. I do keys all day every day and understand how they must be cut and why. I also have reference materials and a strong working knowledge about PATS, and I know other locksmiths who know more than I. Remember us, we can help. Dave the Key Man