This is seriously becoming a problem. This is the 3rd time I've had this problem and I've only had the truck 3 or 4 months now.

The problem is on my '99 EB Expy. Every once in awhile the thing decides that it doesn't like my keys. Twice it's been sitting in my driveway after coming home and I'll go to get in it in the morning and it simply won't start, now it's sitting at my fiance's work and she's stranded until I can get down there to pick her up.

What's going on is this... when you put the key in the ignition and try to turn it over it simply won't turn over, won't budge, won't beep, nothing. I have power to the blowers on the vents so I know the battery is ok. The THEFT light blinks quickly every once in awhile. When I call the dealers they tell me that the fast blink means that the key isn't being recognized by the module that only allows that particular key to work. Maybe it's "temporarily out of order" or something because I'm sure it'll work fine in a day or so after playing with the darn thing.

The first time it did this I thought it might be the starter. I began to troubleshoot that path and eliminated everything, it's not the starter. A different dealer told me to toggle back and forth from one key to the other 5 times. This doesn't work. One time I put the truck in neutral to try and tow it to a dealer and for kicks decided to start it from neutral, that worked, not this time. This is incredibly frustrating. It'll go about a month+ before acting up and does so for no apparent reason (no change in temperature, humidity, wash the truck, etc.).

Any ideas? I'll be heading over to pick my fiance up in about an hour. I hate to sell the truck because it's been really good other than this. TIA.

 

My 98 EB Expy does the exact same thing. What causes is this is if you leave the truck in the sun the steering colum will become warm internally. Then when you put th ekey inside the warm column the computer gets confused and think it's becoming stolen. I tryto park my Expy in the garage and then I don't have this problem. Then onco I went to work and leave it in the sun it won't start. the way I fixed this problem was I bought an auto start you know you can start your truck form the outside with remote. Then when you get in you put your key in the ignition. don't worry about it getting stolen If the key isn't in the ignition and the brake pedal is depressed the engine will cut off. also you only have 5 minutes after you start it to put the key in the ignition. the auto start some how by passes the computer theft system. You do this and your problem is solved. let me know how it worked out. if you have any questions just ask!!!!!:-)

 

>My 98 EB Expy does the exact same thing. What causes is this
>is if you leave the truck in the sun the steering colum will
>become warm internally. Then when you put th ekey inside the
>warm column the computer gets confused and think it's
>becoming stolen.

If this is indeed your problem, either get it fixed or dump the truck. I've been following several Expy forums for the past couple years and have never heard of this scenario. Plus I live in Houston where it can get upwards of 140 degrees inside the vehicle and I've never had this problem with this or any other Fords I've owned, nor has anybody else I've known with Expys and Explorers. In other words, if it were solely a function of heat, then there would be TSB's and recalls addressing the situation.

Nevertheless, good luck.

 

It only happens if your truck is equipped with a theft alarm. It was an option from Ford!!!

 

I had a somewhat similar problem turned out to be the starter soleoid would only get power intermittently. Replaced it and no problems since. Good Luck.

 

We have a similiar problem on or 01 Expy. Try this...with the key in the ignition, hit the unlock button on your alarm/unlock key ring.
This works for us....I want to yank the alarm out as soon as I can afford to have it done right.
Hope this helps!
DutchmanAZ

 

It's not the al;rm system that does that. I discnnected mine that did not fix the problem. It is the theft system that is causing the problem. It can not be disconnected!!

 

I had the same problem with my 99. They replaced the starter to fix it. Kept it in the shop for 3 wks waiting for the part, tho. (this was back in early 99 during the first few days of the truck's life)