I have a mysterious light that blinks on and off every few seconds that says "Theft", anybody know what this is and how to turn it off ?? It is some sort of anti-theft gizmo ?? i haven't found any reference to it in the owner's manual.

 

Did you steal your truck? Otherwise I dont know...

 

It lights in mine too, I think it's in the owners manual where they explain all the dash lights. Something to do with the transponder key IIRC.

 

Wait is this when your truck is on or off?

 

Pull out the bulb

 

After double checking it, it stays off until I sit in the seat, then it starts blinking until I start it up......

and no I didn't steal it.

 

mine blinks too. its the anti-theft system i bet. which translates to "hi, ford speaking, we put a blinking red light in that says theft so people think you have an alarm system."

 

That's what I figured.

 

the weird thing is sometimes it flashes on and off when you are driving too which is kinda strange only because it happens once in a while.

Someone asked about it in a thread not too long ago, but nobody really had an answer for him.

 

yeah dude it just blinks when the vehicle isnt running

 

Apparently it works because nobody stole my truck,......yet.

 

I have one in my car...seems like its just an imitation alarm light so people think you have one

 

my buddy Ryan's Sport Trac's theft light will get stuck on after he turns the key. He says he has to turn the truck off at a stoplight because it annoys him with this bug red "THEFT" on his dashboard. Thus far mine only flashes when the truck is off.

 

It's the status indicator light for the passive anti theft system (PATS) in your truck. It flashes to confirm the system is active after you shut the truck off.

 

Yep.. I found out what the little light does when I got my alarm/remote start put it.. If u try to start the trck up without the transponder key in the ignition... ie: hot wire, or key that hasn't been programmed... the factory theft is that it locks the starter up, so it is impossible to start the motor..

 

I googled Passive anti-theft systems and this is what I got, thanks for the info !!!!!!!!!

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What it is: Passive anti-theft systems (PATS), like Ford's patented SecuriLock system, protect against drive away theft through the use of an electronically coded ignition key. The system is designed to help prevent the engine from being started unless a coded key programmed to the vehicle is used. An indicator shows the system is working.

How it works: A miniature transponder with an integrated circuit and antenna is embedded in the ignition key. A wireless radio-frequency transmission transfers an electronic code between the transponder in the key and the vehicle. If the code matches, a code programmed in the vehicle, a signal is sent through the wiring system to the electronic engine control, allowing the engine to start. There are 72 million-billion possible codes, so every Ford sold worldwide for the next 10 billion years could have unique codes. New keys for replacements or spares can be purchased at dealerships. A customer may program spare keys to the vehicle themselves if they possess any two keys that operate the vehicle. A dealership technician may erase and program keys using diagnostic equipment. A maximum of eight keys may be installed in most systems.

Customer benefit: Increased protection against drive away vehicle theft, where the thief starts the engine and drives the vehicle away.

Ford status: Standard on most North American vehicles in model year 2000.

 

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