Intermittent, no start with flashing theft light

[Hurricanes4]

Hello, I have an intermittent no start situation on my two thousand eddie bower v eight. Theft light seems to flash when this occurs. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site.

 

[Hurricanes4]

Welcome to the site.

Thanks

 

[410Fortune]

Flashing theft light means problem with pats system

Usually the key or the halo

The flashing light will turn into a flashing code
The code can then be checked and will tell you where to look

 

[Hurricanes4]

Flashing theft light means problem with pats system

Usually the key or the halo

The flashing light will turn into a flashing code
The code can then be checked and will tell you where to look

Don't know if it's the key.It's started the truck fine in the morning.Got to work then wouldn't start to go home. What is the halo?

 

[410Fortune]

Halo is the plastic ring antennae in your steering column
It goes around the ignition key and tumbler
It detects the chip in the key

They wear out or get physically broken

The pats computer is actually storing a trouble code You will count the flashes of the light and it will give you a number

I have replaced several halos and fixed trucks with a no start Flashing theft light

They are not expensive or difficult to replace

 

[410Fortune]

Here is an example of a pats transceiver or “halo” as we explorer dudes call them

98 Ford Mustang Immobilizer Pats Theft Module Transponder F8sb-15607-ac for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 98 Ford Mustang Immobilizer Pats Theft Module Transponder F8sb-15607-ac at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

.

Match up your wiring connector w the new one if you purchase

Access is through the knee guard on drivers side under steering column several 7mm and 8mm screws . Also 3ea Phillips screws for column shrouds halves and a pair of plyers to loosen the tilt wheel lever.
A sharp tool to depress the indent ball on the key and tumbler
Pats halo is held in place with one 5.5mm screw I believe

I would retrieve the code first
Usually a communication error between module and transceiver

I’m right next to a 2000 ranger steering column right now so I snagged some pics

 

[Hurricanes4]

Thank you I appreciate the info. Is that something a shade tree mechanic such as myself could do? Also, Theft light flashes continuously doesn't seem to have any kind of series for a code.

 

[Hurricanes4]

Here is an example of a pats transceiver or “halo” as we explorer dudes call them

98 Ford Mustang Immobilizer Pats Theft Module Transponder F8sb-15607-ac for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 98 Ford Mustang Immobilizer Pats Theft Module Transponder F8sb-15607-ac at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

.

Match up your wiring connector w the new one if you purchase

Access is through the knee guard on drivers side under steering column several 7mm and 8mm screws . Also 3ea Phillips screws for column shrouds halves and a pair of plyers to loosen the tilt wheel lever.
A sharp tool to depress the indent ball on the key and tumbler
Pats halo is held in place with one 5.5mm screw I believe

I would retrieve the code first
Usually a communication error between module and transceiver

I’m right next to a 2000 ranger steering column right now so I snagged some pics

View attachment 450807

View attachment 450808

Also small code reader.I have doesn't seem to want to communicate with the vehicle.

 

[410Fortune]

Check fuses the power outlet in center console shares same fuse as the obd connector for code scanner

It has been a while but I believe once you turn the key to start and the theft light flashes rapidly you need to leave the key in the run position. After 90 seconds or so the light will slow down and repeat a number of flashes, this is the code

 

[Hurricanes4]

Check fuses the power outlet in center console shares same fuse as the obd connector for code scanner

It has been a while but I believe once you turn the key to start and the theft light flashes rapidly you need to leave the key in the run position. After 90 seconds or so the light will slow down and repeat a number of flashes, this is the code

OK, so I'm getting a 1 flash and then 6 flashes.So I assume that is a 16 code?
How do I find out what that code means?

 

[410Fortune]

PATS SECURITY FLASH CODES

1

mhhauto.com

16 communication issue between pcm and control module

https://www.justanswer.com/ford/f66bi-need-ti-know-anti-theft-light-flashing-code.html

If all checks out between pcm and pats module (behind pass airbag) all fuses are good and you still get a 16
I would replace the halo / transceiver
I have fixed this code before (recently) with a new / junkyard halo

 

[Whey Cooler]

I do not know if this happens to older expys but I had a same era Taurus that did this and it was the PATS wire on the steering column. I used the tilt wheel every time I got in and out of the car and it eventually broke the wires in the yellow sleeve that go to the PATS induction coil. Something to check. I fixed it with a few bits of wire and solder extending the harness.

 

[BluIsBlue]

Fixed this recently on my 01’ Explorer Sport. It’s as simple as taking the drivers side kick panel off, the clamshell around the steering column and then replacing the PATS transceiver. Had this issue for a while where sometimes it would work and sometimes it wouldn’t. I got my replacement for like $30 on Amazon. Easy replacement and it fixed it right up for me.

 

[BluIsBlue]

I do not know if this happens to older expys but I had a same era Taurus that did this and it was the PATS wire on the steering column. I used the tilt wheel every time I got in and out of the car and it eventually broke the wires in the yellow sleeve that go to the PATS induction coil. Something to check. I fixed it with a few bits of wire and solder extending the harness.

Yeah I’ve found this is the main cause of the transceiver going bad. The steering wheel tilt just ends up pinching the wires over time and severing them. It’s why in other threads you’ll see people fixed this issue by just hitting their steering wheel or tilting their steering wheel up and down to reseat the connection.