I have a 3.0 2007 sport that died on me. Brakes were seized and tried to make it home but didn’t make it. Backed into a driveway to turn around and when I put it in drive it died.. had a mechanic friend of mine come out and plug a computer in after doing the basic checks (spark, compression, fuel etc) and it came up as an anti theft issue. It’ll turn over but won’t fire. I was told it’s either the main PCM or it’s the key. Just wondering if there’s a way to reset/over ride it that won’t cost an arm and a leg or if there’s a quick fix to get her going again.. I have basic mechanical knowledge but nothing on computer issues.

Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum

No, no way to by-pass the anti-theft, its called PATS(passive anti-theft system), just FYI

And from your description I doubt its an anti-theft issue, starter motor is disabled if in anti-theft mode, yours is NOT

But you can do some tests, bad battery can trigger this
Test battery voltage
12.8volt is new battery
12.5v is 3 year old battery
12.3v is 5/6 year old battery and time to find a battery sale

12.2v or lower is a bad battery

For now turn on the key but don't try to start
THEFT light(padlock) should flash rapidly, wait
After 45-60 seconds it will start to flash a 2 digit code, a 1 followed by 1 to 6 flashes, then it repeats
11 Transceiver [transponder coil] not connected, or there is no power to it.
12 Transceiver internal fault.
13 No Key/no PATS key has been used to turn the ignition switch.
14 Incomplete key code received.
15 Invalid key code received.
16 CAN communications error.

And just a heads up, if you try to start the vehicle 3 or 4 times when theft light is flashing rapidly, then computer goes into THEFT MODE and shuts down for 60-90 min, so even if a problem was fixed in that time engine wouldn't start, each repeated attempt to start extends that time
Disconnecting battery doesn't shorten the time

You can also check for codes in the HEC dash, it has several functions you can access for B-body codes
2004 and up Rangers use the HEC(hybrid electronic cluster)

Google: Ford HEC engineering mode

There are several videos and how-to on how it works


Do a 50/50 test
Spray gasoline or ether(quick start) into the engine and try to start it
If it starts and dies then fuel delivery is the problem
If it doesn't start then spark is the problem
50/50 instant results