2004 Retro PATS and Battery Drain | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models
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2004 Retro PATS and Battery Drain

  • Thread starter Thread starter DougS
  • Start date Start date
DougS
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Thunderbird Year
2004
I am having a PATS issue. It seems a bit different than previous Posts and may be related to a bad battery. My year-old battery loses its charge after a day or two of not driving. When that happens, I open the door, and the horn alarm starts. The key fob turns off the horn. The battery (at 11.8) will still turn over the starter 3-4 times, but the fuel pump is locked. After I charge the battery, there is no alarm, and it starts. I cannot find any power drain on the battery, the alternator is working fine, so I am replacing the battery today. Does anyone know if there is any normal relationship between a low battery and the PATs system ?

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Since your post is about a "battery drain", I've added that to your subject. See similar threads below as well as-

 
Did you do the trunk light test? That little support bracket for the trunk switch is easily bent, and so subtle that it looks okay without close inspection.
 
I would like to remove the trunk light bulb so that when I choose to leave the trunk open for extender periods of time it will not drain the battery .. how do you remove the plastic lens cover. I wish to not break it by forcing it ..thanks
 
I would like to remove the trunk light bulb so that when I choose to leave the trunk open for extender periods of time it will not drain the battery .. how do you remove the plastic lens cover. I wish to not break it by forcing it ..thanks
Use the search page and you will find this thread that explains removal

 
I am having a PATS issue. It seems a bit different than previous Posts and may be related to a bad battery. My year-old battery loses its charge after a day or two of not driving. When that happens, I open the door, and the horn alarm starts. The key fob turns off the horn. The battery (at 11.8) will still turn over the starter 3-4 times, but the fuel pump is locked. After I charge the battery, there is no alarm, and it starts. I cannot find any power drain on the battery, the alternator is working fine, so I am replacing the battery today. Does anyone know if there is any normal relationship between a low battery and the PATs system ?
I have had an issue with my 2003 in the past with a similar symptom (engine not getting fuel). Fuel pump was fine. The problem was some kind of rear electronic module (located in the trunk area). An expensive repair ($1500) 2 or 3 years ago. Another thing I have found since my car may sit 2 or 3 weeks at a time is the drain the security system has on the battery. If I lock the doors manually with the key instead of electronically the security system will not engage and I do not have trouble with battery drain.
 
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