PATS theft has disabled my truck

DESPERATEWIFE

MEMBER
2003 FORD RANGER
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
85,000 MILES

My husband, registered owner, is in VA hospital for unknown duration. I have been stranded for 5 days due to blinking theft light. 5 days ago I was headed home from Burger King drive-thru. The truck started making a very loud clicking sound or something more like a squealing sound. Then the ABS and Airbag warning lights came on. I had turned off the radio and A/C in an attempt to identify the sound. The radio turned off. Truck suddenly lunged forward just as I started to accelerate from Burger King. The sound stopped at 40 MPH so I tried to turn the radio on again. We always set the parking brake when we park our truck. It wouldn't engage. I'm not a mechanic. And I don't own the vehicle even though I'm his wife. I cannot obtain anything notarized because my husband is in the VA hospital ICU and no visitation allowed. Is there a simple, logical method to resetting the PATS system? I have one original coded PATS key.

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,021 POSTS

From your description I would say you have more than a PATS system issue. The loud clicking and squealing coupled with the lunging sounds more like a brake related issue. Something like a parking shoe failure possibly.
As for the PATS issue, with only one key there isn't much you can do as any programming or reset as they require two good keys.
You say the light is blinking? How fast is the blinking? What does the truck do if you put the key in and try to start it? What does the light do when you try that? Does it blink faster?

Some of the PATS systems can use a flash code to give you an idea of the problem. To do this you put the key in, try to start the engine then once the light starts flashing wait a few minutes. If it has the code ability you will see the light switch from a steady flashing to a code sequence. The code will be a flash, then a pause, then more flashes So, On - Pause -On On On long pause On - Pause - On On On would be a 1-3 code

Code flashes
1-3 Key code not received. Is key screened by other keys or objects? Try a different key if okay then first key is faulty.
1-4 Partial code only received. Try again. If not okay use different key.
1-5 Key not programmed into PATS. Program key as above using master key or scan tool
1-6 Faulty link between PATS module and EECV.

I don't think the two issues are related but they could be as the airbag light and ABS are both safety systems.

You can try the Ford reset on this page but it may not work depending on the actual problem. THis guide can help

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

Please run down this guide and report back.