ALARM RESET?

Tiny
LRCVAN MOM
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 71,000 MILES
My van has always had a problem with interior lights coming on and blinking off and on for minutes at a time. Now, the van while parked and with alarm activated, it will start to honk and blink as if the panic button had been depressed. What do I look for in trying to fix this problem? Has a new battery and alternator.
Monday, March 16th, 2009 AT 12:37 PM

24 Replies

Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
Hi check all the door sensors make sure all doors are latching properly make sure the battery in the fob is good.replace the battery if you can,t remember when you replaced it.other then this you will need a scanner to dig further into the anti theft system. This guide will help you reset the system.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Please let us know what you find.

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Thursday, November 16th, 2017 AT 3:28 PM
Tiny
JOE EDET
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD WINDSTAR
It starts goes off. The engine will not crank and The theft lights blinks faster will not start again. I love this site
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
The vehicles PCM (computer) is not recognizing the key. it needs to be plugged in to a Ford diagnostic computer or equivalent to locate the fault.

Lets try using this guide to disable the alarm system.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) contains a theft indicator, encoded ignition key, transceiver module, instrument cluster, power-train control module (PCM), Standard Corporate Protocol (SCP) communication network and starter relay. PATS uses radio frequency identification technology to deter drive-away theft. Passive means it does not require any activity from user. PATS uses specially encoded keys containing permanently installed transponders. Each transponder contains an identification code. Each replacement encoded ignition key must be programmed into instrument cluster before it is able to start engine. Encoded keys are larger than traditional keys, do not require batteries and should last lifetime of vehicle.

Transceiver module communicates with encoded ignition key and is located behind steering column cover. Transceiver module reads encoded key and sends data to instrument cluster during each vehicle start sequence. Instrument cluster initiates key interrogation sequence when vehicle ignition switch is turned to run or start position. PATS uses PCM to enable or disable engine. Instrument cluster and PCM have shared security data, making them a matched pair.

PATS also disables starter motor. If instrument cluster is removed from vehicle, engine will not start. Theft indicator will prove out for three seconds when ignition switch is turned to run or start position. If PATS is malfunctioning, theft light will flash rapidly or glow steadily. PATS theft indicator flashes every two seconds after ignition switch is turned to off to act as a visual theft deterrent. PATS will not store DTC or flash theft indicator if valid encoded ignition key is used and a failure occurs in starter relay circuit.
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE EDET
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ford Windstar 2000.
I started the car and the engine runs for two seconds and off it goes. I now replaced a new battery and the engine refuses to start again, the theft lights blinks faster than normal each time I try to crank the engine, but the car will not start.
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
Is there an after market immobilizer fitted? (The Ford immobilizer cuts starter motor function) it sounds like you are getting fuel at initial KEY ON (PCM initializes pump), but then the pump is not kicking in while cranking. You will need to check you are getting power and ground to the fuel pump while cranking.

Fuel pump monitor (models without fuel pump driver module).
The fuel pump monitor (FPM) circuit is spliced into the fuel pump power (fuel pump power) circuit and used by the PCM for diagnostic purposes. The PCM sources a low current voltage down the FPM circuit.
With fuel pump off, voltage is pulled low by the path to ground through the fuel pump. With fuel pump off and the FPM circuit low, the PCM can verify the FPM circuit and fuel pump power circuit are complete from the FPM splice through the fuel pump to ground. This confirms that the fuel pump power or FPM circuits are not shorted to power.
With the fuel pump on, voltage is supplied from the fuel pump relay to the fuel pump power and FPM circuits. With the fuel pump on and FPM circuit high, PCM can verify fuel pump power circuit from fuel pump relay to FPM splice is complete. It can also verify that fuel pump relay contacts are closed and battery voltage is supplied to fuel pump relay.
Fuel pump monitor (models with fuel pump driver module).
The fuel pump driver module (FPDM) communicates diagnostic information to the PCM through the fuel pump monitor (FPM) circuit. This information is sent to the PCM as a duty cycle signal. PCM uses this signal to verify FPDM is powered and able to communicate on the FPM circuit.
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE EDET
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I have been using the car for two years plus. I do not think there is after market immobilizer, but is it possible for me to get rid of the security system in the car? It has become every day issues with the theft light problem, after it has been solve it keeps on re-occurring. Could it be eliminated?
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
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It is not possible to remove or disable the PATS (immobilizer) system, it is built into the PCM (computer) and therefore cannot be removed.
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE EDET
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Where can we locate the interloper and by pass it and start the car?
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
You cannot bypass the immobilizer, it is controlled by the PCM (computer). It will need to be plugged into a Ford diagnostic computer or equivalent scantool, but the immobilizer cuts starter motor operation. F the car is cranking then your fault is not in the immobilizer.
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE EDET
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I replace a new battery that causes the theft light to flash very fast and the car will not start.
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
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Is the car/van turning over and not firing up (cranking)? Or is it totally out (dash light's on but nothing else)? Let me know.
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOE EDET
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
All lights in the dash board is on, but engine will not crank.
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
Okay, as previously stated, the immobilizer is now keeping the car from starting. This needs to be reset via Ford's diagnostic scantool or equivalent. The PCM is not getting the correct signal from the key. There is no way of bypassing this system. When cranking check if you are getting twelve volts to the starter motor B+ terminal?
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TRUESTEWARDS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 122,700 MILES
Door ajar alarm keeps going off on ford windstar 2000
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Check the door switch to make sure it isn't sticking. I believe the swith is in the latch assembly on your vehicle. Also, check for bad body grounds.
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TENNBILL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 2000 Windstar which recently went into a 'no start' mode. Went from several tries to start, short starter tries, to no start. Hooked up my craftsman OBD2 tool and went to enhanced DTC's mode and then KOER (engine running) and hit starter. Car starts right up every time. Disengage OBD tool, no start. Only have one key, used car, only one key. Is it the key or something else?
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOELSCHWARZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
Part of the plastic of one of my keys busted that has the chip that starts the Windstar. The chip fell out and I only have 1 working key which is a pain. I live in a rural area where I am not too concerned about anybody stealing this vehicle and I am wondering what fuse would disable the theft alarm and then would the key work without the chip? Or is there another way I can get this key to work? I really need two keys for this vehicle without having to reprogram if at all possible!
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Hi,

I have been reading the section on the anti theft system on your car, and from what is in Mitchell 1 there is not a disable that can be done, they start that all systems must be operational or the car will not start, There is a fuse in the junction box on the left side of the engine bay, Fuse No 20 15 Amp, this sis the fuse for the passive theft system, I would doubt very much that this will work, it sounds to simple, but wort a try, pull it and see if the car will work on the key, otherwise there may be a dealer fix for this, something that they keep in house, as it is a security system, they won't be advertising how to bypass it, that I am sure, and failing all that you may have to get a key sorted.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZIGGYTHEMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 122,000 MILES
Van has new battery. Now theft light won't stop flashing and van won't start. Not even cranking. How do I reset it?
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,877 POSTS
Hello,

The security system has been activated with the battery change. Remove the battery cable for 60 minutes. Then reconnect the battery and lock and unlock the car using the remote and the car should start.

If not do a hard reset of the system by touching the negative battery cable to the positive post for five minutes this will discharge the system capacitors and force a reset.

Here is what the book has to say about the system reset

The security access procedure is utilized to obtain Passive Anti-theft System (PATS) security access. PATS security access must be granted to erase ignition keys, enable/disable the spare key programming switch or perform parameter resets for the instrument cluster. The security access procedure invokes an inherent 10 minute time delay prior to granting security access during which scan tool must remain connected to the vehicle. Once security access has been granted, a security access command menu is displayed that offers various command options (refer to PATS Configuration Command Index).

Select only the commands required by the appropriate pinpoint test.
From scan tool: Using the Ford Service Function (FSF) card, select the appropriate instrument cluster. Enter SECURITY ACCESS PROCEDURE. This procedure will take 10 minutes to perform, during which the ignition switch must be in RUN and the scan tool must be connected to the vehicle.

After the 10-minute security access procedure has been completed, a new menu will be displayed with command options. Select only those functions required before exiting out of this menu. Once exited out of this menu, the security access procedure must be performed again to perform additional commands.

NOTE:

Security access must be granted to erase ignition keys, enable/disable spare key programming switch, or perform parameter resets for instrument cluster and PCM. This procedure has a 10-minute time delay prior to granting security access during which the New Generation Star (NGS) tester must remain connected to vehicle. After security access has been granted, security access command menu is displayed which offers various command options. Multiple security access commands can be executed (if necessary) prior to exiting security access command menu. Execution of all necessary security access commands prior to exiting command menu avoids the performance of an additional security access procedure and the associated 10-minute time delay.

Insert Ford Service Function (FSF) card into NGS tester. Turn ignition switch from OFF to RUN position. With NGS tester connected to vehicle, enter instrument cluster then select SECURITY ACCESS PROCEDURE. This procedure will take 10 minutes to perform. After the security access procedure has been completed, a new menu will be displayed with command options. Select as many functions as required before exiting this menu. Once this menu is exited, security access procedure must be performed again to perform additional commands.

The PATS system is a little quirky so you might have to mess with it a little. Keep disconnecting the battery to reboot the system.

If this doesn't work then you will need to take it to the dealer or a shop to have it reprogrammed for about $120.00

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)

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