Possible transponder error (cranking but no spark)?

WISH30

MEMBER
1999 FORD COUGAR
1.8L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
260,000 MILES

Dears, I had this problem about two years ago, it happened twice in couple of months, so now I thought it is the right place to ask for theoretical opinion and possibility (because you never know the future and it is good to be prepared as much as you can).

After driving the car as usual and without some noticeable problem, I came home and parked it. Next day, when I tried to start, it was only cranking but not even trying to start. There was no spark on the cables. Pushed it to nearest mechanic (about 200m from my home) and after couple of hours it was repaired, with answer: Ignition was misalignment. Theoretically, there was a problem with alimentation of the toothed belt because it is the PCM which sends ground pulses to the coil pack depending of signals received from crank and camshaft sensors.

Problem repeated after 3-4 moths again, and the same mechanic told the same to my father, but after dozens of questionings why the belt misalign by itself when it is in good condition, it have tooths and it is tensioned tight, the mechanic told him: there was some error with the code.

Question is: Can this be some problem caused accidently in communication with the transponder chip of the key and the PCM, so mechanic just done a procedure that I have once read on internet (don't remember exactly) to reprogram your original key (I have only one) by put it inside and turn on-off 6 times within 10 seconds.

Thanks, a lot in advance! Best regards from Marjan, North Macedonia

PS: I'm going to post another one question similar with this theme.

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,913 POSTS

Hello Marjan from North Macedonia! I'm not a mechanic, but I can provide some insights based on your description.

The issue you experienced with your car not starting and the mechanic attributing it to ignition misalignment could have various potential causes. It's difficult to pinpoint the exact reason without more information and a proper diagnosis.

However, your question about the possibility of a communication problem between the transponder chip in the key and the PCM is an interesting one. In some cases, issues with the transponder key or its communication with the vehicle's immobilizer system can prevent the car from starting. This can happen due to a fault in the transponder key itself, the immobilizer system, or their communication interface.

Reprogramming the key, as you described, is indeed a procedure that can sometimes resolve issues related to key transponder communication. It essentially re-establishes the synchronization between the key and the vehicle's immobilizer system.