2003 Anti-theft PATS system can't reset | Ford Thunderbird forum club group 1955-2005 models

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2003 Anti-theft PATS system can't reset

Synchrony

Synchrony

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Thunderbird Year
2003
My brother is a life-long mechanic. I inherited a 2003 Thunderbird from my Dad a couple of years ago. We've had mostly minor issues with it, but when the coils started acting up, I took it to my brother. He replaced the coils and spark plugs. He took it for a test drive and it was running "almost too good", in his words. He pulled back into his shop and since won't start. He said all of the gauges went to max. He talked with another mechanic who says it sounds like the PATS anit-theft system kicked in. My brother has worked for hours on it and just can't get to start. He even took the ignition out to test it -- and the starter. I'm about ready to take it to a Ford dealer ($$$).

So, last ditch effort: Is anyone familiar with a problem like this and knows any potential fixes. Thanks!

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Synchrony said:
My brother is a life-long mechanic. I inherited a 2003 Thunderbird from my Dad a couple of years ago. We've had mostly minor issues with it, but when the coils started acting up, I took it to my brother. He replaced the coils and spark plugs. He took it for a test drive and it was running "almost too good", in his words. He pulled back into his shop and since won't start. He said all of the gauges went to max. He talked with another mechanic who says it sounds like the PATS anit-theft system kicked in. My brother has worked for hours on it and just can't get to start. He even took the ignition out to test it -- and the starter. I'm about ready to take it to a Ford dealer ($$$).

So, last ditch effort: Is anyone familiar with a problem like this and knows any potential fixes. Thanks!
Click to expand...
This can only be fixed by clearing or replacing your keys and reprograming new keys with a Snap on Solus edge controller with Pats system program.
 
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2004, Mileage 30,000-- Drove to the store and all was fine. Came out and started the Bird and the horn started blaring. Turned it off and on many times while locking and unlocking with fob, key in the door, fob panic button, etc. Finally had to remove horn fuse, number 4, to drive home. Back home, used spare key and same thing happens. Any idea what it could be and any fixes. Thank you.
 
Hey Charlie, I'm having a problem with my '03 which I believe is related to PATs. I'm getting the dreaded E where the transmission gear display is. Wondering if you are (or were) getting the E?

What's happening to me is that I stick the key in the ignition, turn it on and intermittently the security light starts blinking fast and when the display initializes the dreaded E is there. I'll take the key out of the ignition, put it back in, turn it on and wait for the display to initialize. Actually I no longer wait, here's why. Couple things I've learned over the past few days trying troubleshoot this problem. 1st is PATS controls power to the fuel pump. So before the display is initialized & I hear the fuel pump I know I'm good, I'll turn the key so the starter engages and the car starts. Was your fuel pump coming on when you turn the key on? The other thing is the speed the security light blinks means PSTS is working or not. A fast blinking security light means PATS is not working. When the key is put in the ignition and turned on that is what starts the PATS process. If you don't hear your fuel pump, get the fast flashing security light or the dreaded E turn the key off & remove it from the ignition, put they key in the ignition and turned it on again. The last thing I was able to find out PATS resets automatically after 15 minutes.

The thing that annoys the hell out of me is that I'm not getting any PATS related codes in my PCM. I am considering going to new key route. I just ordered 2 keys off of e-Bay. Once I get them I need to find someone that can reset the system. I looked for that piece of equipment listed above. I think the cheapest one I found was a used one for $1,300.00. At this point I'm probably not going to spend a grand on something I'll use once.

I hope you found and resolved your problem. If so and you can share I would appreciate it.
 
PATS related codes are not stored in the PCM, they are stored in the instrument cluster. If a problem occurs with the Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS), the indicator will flash rapidly or glow steadily when the ignition is in the RUN position. If this occurs you should check for faults in all of the control modules. If the problem is with the PATS, a fault code will be stored in the instrument cluster.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

Instrument Cluster DTC Chart.jpg
 
Doug, thanks for the response. I am using FORScan to read the codes, hopefully it pulled the codes from the Instrument Cluster. Not sure if you are familiar with FORScan but it allows you to run diagnostics which I ran all except for the one that tests the lights, wipers, door open .... I thought it would spray washer fluid on the windshield and turn the wipers on, something that has never been done. With my luck that's probably the routine that tests PATS. The mirror adjustment switch is not working so I was planning to run that routine this morning.

The car has been in storage since October of 2019. The PATS problem did exist before I put the car in storage. Prior to storing the car the problem occurred much less frequently than it is occurring now.

FORScan did pull 4 codes

The P1000 code

Steering Column Tilt Feedback Potentiometer circuit failure

Oil Temperature sensor out of range

Brake pedal positioning sensor out of range

My thought was that I'm not getting any codes because the system is functioning as designed. I read something on a Ford Truck forum last night where the author was getting a trouble code when there was a mismatch between the Key & PATS. Maybe FORScan isn't reading the codes off of the Instrument Cluster. Will have to dig into that a little.

Thanks again for your help
 
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