PATS questions

STACEY.J.MNTGMRY

MEMBER
2004 FORD F-150
4.6L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
265 MILES

The truck was attempted stolen. The thieves broke the call in badly including the ignition immobilizer. I got a replacement column from a salvage yard, everything plugged in and I got a new ignition which I'm waiting to have the keys programmed. Spoke to a locksmith who said you cannot use a salvage immobilizer, that they can only be new or the truck will never start. Is this guy right? I'm nervous as can be. That part has not been made in years and I looked for days and days for a new one and could not locate one. I don't want to pay this locksmith $200.00 to come here if it's not going to start. The truck listed above is a Heritage edition.

1 Reply

MOTOR MASTER

MECHANIC
279 POSTS

Hello my name is Dave.

First thing to know is that if you leave the key in the on position for 10 minutes it should start regardless of the key programmed. But it is not correct that you have to have a brand new PATS for it to be programmable, I have had them programmed many times for F150s between 1999 and 2004 (Heritage). My next question is, did they actually damage the module? It is located behind your fuse box on the firewall. If that has not been damaged your old chip key should still make the light turn off and allow the truck to start normally. If you have a key made for your new ignition switch that doesn't have the black plastic but is solid metal and you tape the old key to it it should start.