no start-blinking lights
 

Hi all! New to the "Ford side of things". I'm hoping the experts around here can help. I've got a 96 Ranger with 4.0 that I inherited. It's gonna be my daily driver, if I can get it started! It has sat for a few months, and the battery went dead. I replaced the battery, and when I turn the key, I get nothing. The lights and bells work, but I get no crank. When I remove the key, the dash and marker light flash on and off 16 times. Wierd, huh?!?!?:261: So, I'd love to move this beast, any ideas? Also, I did try wiggling the shifter,(it's an auto), while turning the key, and tried it in Nuetral as well. All electrics seem to work. Thanks a bunch for any insight. After this, I plan on fixin' her up a bit and makin' her real purdy.

-I did do a search, but came up with nothing

If the dash is flashing 16 times would that not be a trouble code?

Sounds like an alarm is disabling your starting.

What lights flash when you try, all the dash illumination or the CEL.

wow, thanks for the quick replies! I thought it might be a code, but I have never seen it flash lights. If the CEL was flashing, I would think code. The lights that are flashing is the front and rear marker lights and dash illumination light. Hope that helps.

sounds like maybe theres an aftermarket alarm installed. look for the brain, probably under the drivers side dash if there is one

That's what I thought, but I see no evidence of a brain or extra wiring. Could it have anything to do with the key? Did those have chips in them? Maybe the PCM or BCM doesn't recognize the key anymore? I stooped so low as to call the stearlership, they had never heard of this. I'm stumped.....

Chipped keys started in 98 so unless you don't know the exact year I doubt its a pats problem.

PATS will not flash the lights, just a red blinking "THEFT" light on the dash. PATS keys are thick black plastic. Non PATS keys have a skinny plastic cover over then end of the key.


You got an alarm in there some where. If it was a pro install you wont be able to tell alarm from factory wiring with out a trained eye.

Look for shiny electrical tape under the dash. You will need to pull the plastic and then metal knee board. Ford used a flat black tape on all harnesses, not shiny. Also look for splices in wires. Ford splices at connectors I have yet to find a tap in the middle of a run of wire.

sounds like an alarm

i know mine won't let me start the truck if i leave it on.

check behind the kickplate or even behind the radio.

if it is an alarm, check to see if you have a valet switch somewhere. usually somewhere below the dash. then you wont have to remove anything, just hold the button and crank.

Thanks ffor the help! I hurt my ankle real bad at work, so working on the truck is on hold for a week. i will probe around sonn and let everyone know what I found. Thanks!