Hi all. I have a 2000 F-150 4X4 with 56000 miles. The problem I’m having is with the PATS system. Sometimes when I try to start the truck the PATS system will not recognize the key or something of that nature. So far I have been able to turn the key off and on a few times or unhook the battery cable, reconnect and the truck will start. Hopefully some one can help. 1st, Can I bypass the system? 2nd, Is there any way to reprogram without involving the dealer? 3rd, what other options do I have? I really like the truck and would like to get it repaired. Thanks in advance for the help!! Ed.

 

Not trying to be rude but wanted to bring this back to the front page. hopefully some one can help!! Thanks, Ed.

 

You didn't say why you thought it was the PATS system giving you the trouble. Theft light acting up, etc? Tried different keys?
More info would probably help.
Good Luck!

 

Sorry. I have tried two out of the three keys I have for the truck. Daughter has the other one and I should get it tomorrow. You can tell when you turn the switch on if the truck is going to start or not. If the theft light is blinking rapidly and the odometer shows dashes not numbers when it won't start. Yesterday I tried my key early in the day, no start, wife’s key an hour later, no start. My key again around lunch, worked fine. My key again around 3:00pm no start. Wife’s key around 8:00 last night, no start. Should have put this in the first post, fustrated and in a hurry. Thanks for the help! Ed.

 

I had one that had an aftermarket remote start installed causing an intermittent no start. Pull off the trim around the steering column, and see if there is a chip from a previous key siliconed on the side by the key switch. An extra chip will confuse the pats module.

 

As a note, my remote start has a copper wire that has a loose clear jacket around it that goes around the lock cyl. This is the antenna. I would think your problem should set a code in the PCM, might be worth checking.
Good Luck!

 

I have a 2003 F-150 4x4 with 63,000 miles. I have the same problem, sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesn't. Tried different keys, even bought a new key thinking the chip in the key was bad. My dealer looked at it, did not know what it was. They think my after market auto start has something to do with it. Could be, but I had this auto start in the truck for 2 years (never had starting problems) then took it out when I was selling my truck. I decided to keep the truck and re-installed the auto- start and this is when the problems began. Any other thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

When I installed my remote start, the instructions said to MAKE SURE that the bypass was outboard of the PATS ring on the lock cyl. Something to check maybe?

 

Another thing to try when it won't start is to tilt the steering wheel down. I've seen the wires in the column pull out of the connectors when the wheel was tilted up.

 

Thanks for the tip Kawasaki. I know that my bypass is under the dash, so it must be something else. Dave, thanks for your lead and I will adjust my steering wheel lower to see if that will help.

 

My bypass box is under the dash, but the antenna goes up to the lock cylinder. Antenna placement on my type appears to be critical.
Good Luck and let us know.

 

There are three things here.
1. The digital speedo goes out suggests it's a dash problem or power as it's seperate from PATS.
2. If you turn the ignition on and the lamp flashes for failure, wait a couple minutes and it might flash a two digit code that will suggest what the problem involves.
3. You can do a self test of the dash micro-processor driven system that may give some more info on the problem. You need the HEC codes and info to interpet the test steps.

An fyi; The Pats communicates with the PCM so you can't get around this unless it is programmed out, in the PCM. The info is contained in the PCM software VID block. If that info is corrupted, a cel lamp and code 1639 will be the result.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will be out of town for the next few days. I'll let you know what I find out when i get back. Thanks, Ed.

 

My truck started doing the exact same thing this week. Theft light flashing rapidly, odometer dashes instead of numbers, turns over but won't start. I disconnected the battery cable and the reconnected it and the truck started right up. My truck is a 99 F-150 -107,500 miles - 4.6 - 5 speed - 4x4. NO aftermarket electronics installed. NO alarm system, no tilt steering, and no auto start system. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Scott

 

Big Red you and I have almost the same truck, only difference is mine has the 4.2. I am going to check all the grounds tomorrow and will let you know what I find out. Mine will also start a couple of times after unhooking the bat cable, but it's not a permanent fix. This is hard to do at times. Have you ever blocked the boat ramp on tourney day??!! :-)