Bad Key

[msw]

This is so bizarre I wanted to share and hopefully help others in the trouble shooting process.

My 1998 Ford Explorer SOHC 6 wouldn't start after several days sitting but had been running fine prior. The engine would turn over but wouldn't fire. When starter fluid was sprayed up the air intake the engine would fire and run until the I quit spraying the starter fluid. Fuel problem right? I had changed the fuel filter about a year ago and only put 3K miles on the vehicle. I checked the inertia shutoff switch and it didn't need to be reset. I'm thinking I may have a bad fuel pump but started testing the fuel system relays hoping for a simple solution. During this process I noticed the key I was using had a little rectangular piece missing out of the back of the key. That seemed odd... I grabbed another key and tried it and the engine fired with no problem.
I have no idea what or why the little piece missing out of the back of the key does but I'm assuming this is some sort of anti theft measure. At any rate, this was a zero cost fix for my problem and I hope anyone experiencing a similar problem will take two seconds needed to look at their key in their trouble shooting process. msw

 

[blueka]

It's the chip that turns the PATS system off so you can start the car... no chip = no start


Si

 

[imp]

One guy supposedly threw his keys across the room, and next day, it wouldn't start...........that made me start worrying about dropping mine on the pavement by accident.......imp