HELP ford theft light issue.

[Fordman1994]

Ok guys well first off, my name is Chris and this is my first post on this fantastic site. I have an issue with my 1998 Ford Explorer. Well first my Ex was attempted to have been stolen. The idiots broke the ignition along with the transceiver that reads the key chip. Now I have went ahead and bought a new ignition from Autozone. The "transceiver" one with 2 new keys with chips in them. Now my question is. If I go to the junk yard and get a new non broken transceiver, and hook it up will it work? The way I'm going to do this is to zipp tie the factory key to the transceiver so it always reads the chip. so I can use my 2 new keys I got with my new ignition. Will that work ? And another question is if I go get a new ignition and transceiver with keys from the junk yard will that also work? PLEASE HELP MY GUYS in in a rut here and need to fix it ASAP and don't have time or money at that to take it to the dealer

 

[Fordman1994]

Please help someone in a real bad rut here...

 

[Macgiobuin]

If you bought new chip keys, they will not work with your PATS and PCM until you program them into the PCM memory. You need the original 2 keys from the car to program new keys into the system.
Your best bet may be to go to a pull-it junkyard and get these from a similar donor car:
1. a key (better to get one with 2 keys,)
2. ignition cylinder, (easy to get out if you have the key)
3. pats module, (behind the passenger air bag)
4. powertrain control module (firewall passenger side)
5. theft transceiver (since yours is destroyed)?

The trick is to get a matching set of chip key, PATS module, and PCM. Since your transciever (the ring around the ignition cylinder) was damaged, better to get that part, too.

The engine, transmission, and # of oxygen sensors (usually 4 for a '98 Explorer): ALL of these have to be the same as yours. You may as well get the door lock cylinders while you're at it. Otherwise you go to a dealer, have your car towed to it and have them make a new key that matches your PATS module and PCM security codes for outrageous fees.

 

[1998Exp]

Caveat: I am not an expert on PATS, but since you are desperate, here is what I know. Take it with a grain of salt, please.
1) The transceiver is just a short-range radio device. It simply passes on what the key sends, so your solution of replacing the transceiver and placing the original key next to it should work. It does not matter whether the cylinder in the ignition switch came from Autozone or from a junkyard.
What I am not sure about is how the PATS will respond to your new, extra keys being around as well. Hopefully, they will just be ignored. Worse come to worse, you can break the plastic head and remove the chip from those.
Of course, as you sure know, this will allow anybody with a screwdriver to steal your truck.
2) Do you still have two original factory keys? If so, you can program the new ones as 'additional', by simply following the procedure in the drivers manual and maintain the PATS protection (which prevented the thieves from starting your truck in the first place). If you only have one key, you can still do that, and you have two options before you pledge your firstborn to the dealer:
a) Just about any better-equipped locksmiths (like at Lowes or some such) can 'clone' your existing key code onto your new keys, so you don't need to leave the key in the truck for the thieves. The drawback of this method is that to the PATS system you only have one key, and it won't let you program anything else.
b) Good locksmiths have the equipment to program the truck computer to your new keys. This is the best option, and should still be much cheaper than the dealer (in most places).

Good Luck!

Ok guys well first off, my name is Chris and this is my first post on this fantastic site. I have an issue with my 1998 Ford Explorer. Well first my Ex was attempted to have been stolen. The idiots broke the ignition along with the transceiver that reads the key chip. Now I have went ahead and bought a new ignition from Autozone. The "transceiver" one with 2 new keys with chips in them. Now my question is. If I go to the junk yard and get a new non broken transceiver, and hook it up will it work? The way I'm going to do this is to zipp tie the factory key to the transceiver so it always reads the chip. so I can use my 2 new keys I got with my new ignition. Will that work ? And another question is if I go get a new ignition and transceiver with keys from the junk yard will that also work? PLEASE HELP MY GUYS in in a rut here and need to fix it ASAP and don't have time or money at that to take it to the dealer

 

[Fordman1994]

Thank you so much. And no I only have one factory key. That's why I was going to his it and the transceiver under the dash.

 

[Fordman1994]

Now macgiobuin I can't just get another transceiver and put FACTORY key around it using a tie of some sort. And it aloww my sport to start? I do not have money for ignition or other parts at the junk yard.

 

[Macgiobuin]

There is a youtube video that shows you how to do this. I have done it to my '01 Sport. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X07aa5mYEZk
I wrapped a 70 inch wire loop 4 times around the head of the factory key and zip tied it in the dash next to the passenger air bag; the other end I made a 2.5" diameter loop of 4 turns and taped it surrounding the ignition cylinder axis right on top of the PATS transceiver ring. I am not using the relay; I can live with that. I went to a hardware store and had new chipless keys cut for $1.29 each and use only them. If you use a chip key, the transceiver may read the numeric code in the new chip key and it would interfere with the security query; so use chipless keys. If your transceiver is still good, and your PATS module and PCM are still good (they probably are), then you should be good.

 

[Fordman1994]

Could I go get a new transceiver from the auto junk yard? And use that one? Mine has been tampered with and the copper wire is 100% exposed and has a couple broken strands .???

 

[Macgiobuin]

Yes you can. But you would have to pull it yourself inmost cases.

 

[Fordman1994]

Got a new transceiver from junk yard. Didn't work now what do I do????

 

[Macgiobuin]

Given: Original key with original PCM and original PATS module worked. Attempted theft damaged the transceiver. Replaced transceiver. Using original PATS chip key with original PATS module and original PCM should work. If it doesn't now it's time to check the wiring continuity for transceiver to PATS module, power to PCM. If you are mixing new chip keys into the system, you are not following the protocol.