I just bought my son a 2006 ranger sport this morning. Drove it home making multiple stops along the way. No problems. When home we found a third all metal key in the glove box. I check to see if it was a spare my unlocking the doors, and it worked. Then I put it into the ignition and it turned and even turned over the engine, but would not start...rough idle and then stall. Then we tried going back to the original key that we used to start and drive it home...and now it wouldn't even start the truck. Called the dealer...said we could have put it in program mode (highly doubt it) and to wait for 30 minutes and see if it resets itself. Well, it didn't. Unless something failed coincidentally the same time as using that bad key, it would seem that the truck is in anti theft mode and won't allow it to start. Something similar happened to me when I had a tbird years ago. I bought it used, and had an aftermarket alarm system, unbeknownst to me. It did not come with remotes when we bought it. A couple years later, the battery had to be replaced, putting the alarm in anti-theft mode and the cat behaved very similarly to how the ranger is know. This is why i think there needs to be some resent of the alarm anti-theft system. Does anyone know if or what the resent procedure is? I searched the internet and found a few general possible resets that didn't work. I am hoping this forum might be able to. I really appreciate any help.

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum

Your description is odd
2006 Ranger will have PATS(passive anti-theft system)
In the black plastic handle of a PATS key there is an RFID tag, it needs no battery, it has a unique ID number
When you put key in ignition and turn it on the PATS system(in the instrument cluster) reads the RFID tag and compares that number to a list of 3 or 4 numbers in its memory(PATS keys that were programmed into its memory)

If it finds a Match it allows starter motor to work, and tells engine computer(PCM), its "OK" to activate fuel pump and fuel injectors.
So engine can start

If there is No Match then starter motor will not work nor would fuel pump or injectors

So the bare metal key could open the door if it was cut for that lock

But it could not start the engine or even get starter motor to work...........................UNLESS............. .....The PATS key was nearby............................if PATS key was near ignition lock when turning on the bare metal key then PATS could have got a partial read of that RFID tag
But still should not have started

On the instrument cluster is a "padlock" image light, thats for PATS, also called SecuriLock
With key off and out it should Flash every 2 seconds of so show its active
With key on it should come on steady for 3 seconds then go off, that means RFID tag was read and Matched so engine can start

If it flashes Rapidly with key on that means RFID tag was NOT a Match, and PATS has disabled start up
After 3 attempts to start engine PATS will lock down for 30min to 90min

The Flashing "padlock" should start flashing a 2 digit code after 1 minute of flashing fast, like 1 flash, pause, 2 flashes, longer pause, 1 flash, pause, 2 flashes, longer pause, thats code 12

If you have 2 PATS keys put 1 in ignition and turn it on, then turn it off pull it out and put 2nd PATS key in ignition and turn it on, must do this within 10 seconds, that should reset the system

 

Hi Ron,
We definitely tried to start it unsuccessfully way more than 3 times. After reading that in your reply, I thought I would go out and try again since it had been over 4 hours. Started right up! Thanks so much for the reply and the info about trying to start 3 times. We were all set to take it to the dealer first thing monday morning. It is ridiculous that the dealer service department could not tell me that, or that it is not in the manual, or that it wasn't available on the internet. Out of curiosity, where did you find this information? Thanks again!

 

Good to hear

That info is "out there" just not repeated much

PATS is an "anti-theft" system, so limited info for that reason

Yes, odd that a Ford dealer didn't tell you that, but maybe the person you talked to didn't know, its not like their best techs are answering the phones, they are usually busy working on the cars, lol


And just a heads up, you need to have at least 2 working PATS keys, 3 is better, with 2 "working keys" you can have a new PATS key cut and then add it to the PATS Memory yourself.
If you just have 1 PATS key and lose it...................well your stuck, you also can't add more keys
But you can drive to a Locksmith and they can cut 2 PATS keys and then hook up laptop to vehicle and add those new keys to PATS Memory so you now have 3, and don't need locksmith again if you lose one


There is also the Forscan APP that works with OBD2 Bluetooth readers, it reads codes but you can also erase all PATS keys and then add new ones, you want to erase old numbers because you don't want someone who finds or takes a key to be able to take the vehicle

 

So I guess my celebration was a bit premature. He drove it around last night and then again this morning and everything was fine. Then this afternoon he went to drive it and it is doing it again. Used the same key the entire time. So maybe it was a coincidence that we put in that third key. Any other ideas? Does this sound like any other issues you have heard of>

 

Oh, and I have a code reader and it isn't throwing a code

 

What about the fast flashing "padlock" light on the dash?

It flashes a code after 60 seconds...........................IF this is a PATS issue, if light is NOT flashing then its NOT a PATS issue
A 2 digit code


It also sets readable codes but as BODY codes, so starts with B not P
B1232 - transceiver problem
B1600 - Non-PATS Key or damaged key.

Not all readers "see" body codes

 

There is also the Forscan APP that works with OBD2 Bluetooth readers, it reads codes but you can also erase all PATS keys and then add new ones, you want to erase old numbers because you don't want someone who finds or takes a key to be able to take the vehicle[/QUOTE]


You reference the Forscan app . Is this the same app that I use on my '17 super duty and is there an instruction that walks users through the key programming process ? This truck is new to me and I'm a little tentative to change something I might screw up . Thanks .

 

Or you could have me delete PATS permanently for less than the price of having it programmed once. :-)

 

I'm having a similar issue:
Yesterday I replace the battery in my '04 Ford Ranger. I drove the truck to work today no problem. I came out of work and the PATS light was glowing a steady red and the engine wouldn't start. Thinking the chip in the key may have been damaged somehow, I tried switching to my spare key but no luck. I tried using the key-fob to lock/unlock the doors (a suggestion I read somewhere) but the fobs did absolutely zero when i pushed the buttons. I tried disconnecting the entire battery for 20 minutes but, upon reconnecting, there was the glowing red mocking light.
Anyone have any thoughts before I call the dealership and they hurt my wallet? Thanks.

 

Welcome to the forum

It does read like a dealer issue, there are a few posts about THEFT light staying on, no flashing, but not many and no real answers as to why?

You can try pulling out the PCM relay, in engine fuse box, check for corrosion on tabs, then put it back in, clean

In 2004 the PATS module is in the instrument cluster, an HEC Cluster, this has a small computer in it, and it must "handshake" with engine computer(PCM) on power up
HEC gets power with key on from cab fuse box
The computer(PCM) gets power from PCM Relay, the relay is turned on by key on, but if there is a slight delay, corrosion, then no "handshake"

Free to have a look

 

Thanks for the info. I admit i'm largely car illiterate so, barring a miracle, the dealership will have to be the answer. Thanks for the thoughts, though.

 

Ron suggested what would most likely work. I powered up my Computer ( pcm) up before I turned the key on the other day and my truck went into theft mode. I turned the pcm off again and on and it was perfect. If you reset your pcm it will probably run with no issues

 

UPDATE: I intended to clear the battery/memory by disconnecting the battery cables and touching them together this morning, but the PATS somehow drained my battery over night so I skipped that step. I jumped the truck and it started right up. Will the light/system come back on in a day or two? We shall see.

 

That's a new one for me

Keep us posted

 

Perhaps the problem wasn't PATS at all. It was just a dead battery.

 

Negative to the notion of it just being the battery. When I originally opened the door the red PATS light was lit solid, the vehicle chimed when i put the keys in, the the dash lit up when I turned the key but the engine made no attempt to start. My first thought was battery so i tried to jump it but nothing changed, so that's when i started reading about the PATS light.
When I returned to to try touching the cables together, the light was out, no chime, no dash lights, etc.

 

The theft light should blink slowly when the vehicle is shut off. If it doesn't do that, I would check for good powers and grounds at the PATS module. If they're good UNDER LOAD, then the PATS module must be bad. Otherwise, key off it would just steadily blink the theft light slowly. (At least that's how I remember all Fords acting... shut the car off, and the theft light blinks slowly or occasionally at all times).

On 99-01 Rangers, the PATS module becomes the ground for the starter relay, so unless the key is on, and the PATS module is happy with the key results, it won't ground the starter relay. Even when I delete PATS in the PCM, the PATS module will not ground the starter relay (meaning it will not activatethe starter when you want to start the car). We have to cut that blue/orange wire that runs from the starter relay tot he PATS module, and ground the end that runs to the starter relay. Effectively, we are giving the starter relay a ground all the time, where the PATS module would only ground the starter relay if you are trying to crank the car, and if the PATS module is happy with the key code.

You can easily backprobe that blue/orange wire at the PATS module or at the starter, and connect that backprobe to a chassis ground temporarily. This would ground the starter relay, and enable the starter to function. That doesn't get the engine to run, but it will get it to crank. To get it to run, the fuel injectors have to be enabled by the PCM. And that only happens in one of two ways: 1) The PATS system is fully functional, and happy with the key code, 2) I delete the PATS system in the PCM calibration.

 

Did the battery drain and jump solve your problem or did it come back? I am having this exact same problem. My truck is totally dead and the light is lit solid.

 

Hey man I my ex girlfriend took my only key I had for my 99 Ford ranger and she pitched it out the window going down interstate, can you help me out here’s my numbers text me or call me bro if you have time thanks 8125581033

 

You're in for a trip to the dealer. Hang on to your wallet... it's gonna get expensive.

 

Welcome to the forum

1999 Ranger, no, no way to get it started as is

Call a mobile Locksmith that can do Ford keys
He/she can come to the Ranger's location and cut 2 new keys(need at least 2 minimum) to match locks, and then add them to your Rangers PATS system with a laptop

Or have it towed to a Ford dealer

 

I don't intend to hijack the thread but reading this has got me to thinking. I just got a 04 with a 3.0. The motor was in pieces, and I have a key that will operate the doors and ignition. It appears to be a transponder key. A friend in going to drop in a new rebuilt motor rather than trying to piece the motor that has sat for 6 years in pieces. Is there a way to tell if the key is compatible with the PATs so if the rebuilt motor does not fire up I can eliminate the PATs as a contributing cause of a no start?

Thank you
Jim

 

The engine doesn't matter to PATS
In 2004 the PATS module is inside the Digital instrument cluster, cluster is called HEC

If electrical system is hooked and just engine wiring is disconnected, STARTER CABLE TAPED UP so it can't short, you can turn on the key and make sure the THEFT light on the dash doesn't flash rapidly
In 2004 I think it looks like a Pad Lock

 

Yes, I can help you delete PATS permanently, if that's what you want to do. Then it will start with regular keys that aren't programmed. Or PATS keys that are or aren't programmed. Any key that turns the lock will start the truck.

If you want to send it in, I'll need you to fill out some paperwork to send with it. Email me directly at pontisteve@earthlink.net for that.

Steve