how do i know if i have a PATS?

[rocket2ya]

my mechanic needs to know if i have PATS to reprogram my ecu. im not sure what to tell him because i dont know lol. i have the basic panic button and if you lock the doors and try opening the doors from the inside the horn goes off. im not sure if thats what is or not. any help would be great. thanks in advance.

 

[BrianDye]

What year?

Explorer or mounty?

 

[rocket2ya]

02 mounty. 4.6 4x2

 

[BrianDye]

Hm, idk about mountys...I know for sure that the 98-02 explorers have PATS, even though my 95 has the THEFT light, and alarm like yours the horn goes off etc etc, but mine doesnt have that thick black chip at the end of the key.

If yours does, then im guessing it probably does, dunno if the mountaineers had something other than PATS

 

[rocket2ya]

well my key has a plastic cover on the end like most newer car keys has. idk if there is a chip in there though.

 

[BrianDye]

If its got that plastic, thats the little microchip thingy-ma-bob so yea i would say you most likely have it, tell him you do.

 

[rocket2ya]

okay. he said after he programs it i will have to take it somewhere to get it "relearned" to the truck itself? does that sound right and if so how much does that usually run?

 

[BrianDye]

Hm, idk, I just bought my 95, and all he gave me was one key, no remote, so im trying to see how to get a remote, and program it and all that. i cant imagine it being to much

 

[eXcali]

okay. he said after he programs it i will have to take it somewhere to get it "relearned" to the truck itself? does that sound right and if so how much does that usually run?

yikes.... last I heard PATS reprograming is Dealer only! They will charge you about $200-400..... Also if he does that work it will have to be towed to the dealer as it won't start until the PATS is reprogramed.

 

[jrford]

PATS programming usually runs about $90 from a dealer, although its only a 5min job and if they want your business they might let you get a way with $45. Its mostly a dealer thing, some locksmiths can but most cant. Once you get your two keys buy a third and do it yourself. If you lose 1 out of 2 its back to the dealer. . . .two keys are need to program it yourself.

PATS II - a chip inside the key tells the truck its OK to start. Without it you may see the security light flash. There is a receiver/module in the steering column. If he is programming the ECU then he may have the option to put it in programming mode?? Or I thought there was an option to turn it off in the ECU, something called 'unlimited key' or similar.

 

[rocket2ya]

well my original guy fell through because he said he didnt have the right harness for my ecu. so he gave me the number of a mobile guy that would come to me and do everything. he charges $150 for reprogramming the ecu, $25 for the PATS and $40 to cut me a new key since i only have one.