Hello everyone, last week I just bought my second Ranger with only 46k miles on it. It’s a 2003 with the 4cyl, it’s ran and drove fine all week but threw a code for the fuel level circuit but the guage worked all week. Drove fine yesterday, today it started up and instantly turned off. Tried starting again and it wouldn’t even crank, any ideas?

 

2003 Ranger does have PATS(passive anti-theft system)

There is a THEFT light on the dash, it should flash every 5 seconds or so with key off and doors closed, to warn off thieves
With key on it should come on and then go OFF, if it starts to flash rapidly then you can't start engine

You can get your owners manual here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/

If no lights come on on the dash with key on then Battery is disconnected or dead, simple as that
Clean BOTH terminals and cables

 

Thanks ron I was only asking because it seemed weird how it started fine and then would not crank hopefully it’s just a dead battery, just on my last Ranger I had a battery light that would illuminate when charging problems happened

 

Okay update, tried to jump and still no start, and theft like flashes continuously so I’m assuming it’s a pats problem, real Beamer having more issues w this truck with 40k miles then my last one with 150k. Does it mean anything if the light dosent flash me any codes? It seems to never stop flashing for me

 

It means computer is in lock down mode, it believes there was/is an attempted theft
Disconnect battery and wait 90 or more minutes then reconnect it
Maybe have the battery checked in the mean time

Good battery will have 12.3volts to 12.8volts
Under 12.3v is a failing battery, under 12v is a failed battery

Battery needs to be 12.3v or higher for PATS to reset and work

 

Good morning Ron, just tested the battery and it’s at 12.7 volts, any ideas on next step?

 

And what happens when battery is reconnected?

 

Just went and disconnected and reconnected it, theft light still flashes nonstop and no start
the light also is flashing at its usual 2 seconds as if there is no key in the ignition, even with the key in it dose not stop, speed up or stay on, all other lights, radio and air blows as usual when key goes in, theft light keeps blinking every two seconds

 

In 2003 PATS is inside the engine computer(PCM), so not really a separate fuse
But check fuses 19 and 26 in the Cab Fuse Box, long shot

Does the CEL(check engine light) come on with key on, it should, that means the PCM has powered up

If not check Fuse #7 in the Engine Bay fuse box, it powers the PCM with key on

 

When key is turned on the theft light flashes in its regular 2 sec intervals, the battery light lights up and the check guage light does too, but not the check engine light, all fuses look to be okay

 

No CEL means the PCM is OFF, so PATS doesn't even know you want to start the engine

In the engine bay fuse box is the PCM relay
You can get owners manual here for fuse box lay out: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/

Page 156 for 2003 2.3l

PCM relay location 54
Put your finger on it and have some one turn key from off to on, that relay should "click" close
Key off it should "click" open
This relay powers up the PCM using Fuse 7 voltage

If no "click" then relay could be bad or PCM Diode location 53

Look at the other relays in the box, if there is a similar one, NOT 47, say 48(cooling fan) or 55(blower fan) swap it in

PCM Diode can be tested with OHM meter, 0 ohms but only in one direction

 

54 was not clicking. Swapped 54 with 55 and it started right up! Is my fox as simple as getting a new relay? Should I be looking for why it went bad or they just die with age? Thank you so much

 

Was a noticeable strong smell of gas upon startup also

 

Good work

Yes replace the relay, was most likely a defect in the relay
The fuse is 30amp, the relay 40amp so if there was a voltage/amp issue the fuse should blow before the relay is effected, so most likely a one off

But get an extra relay, lol, and throw it in the glove box

Not sure why the strong gasoline smell, the PCM relay also controls fuel pump relay, not the pump, so there would have been no fuel pumped up to the engine since computer was off