Mr. Happy

[billat28]

I have a 2010 Explorer with an intermittent no crank. When it happens I have moved the gear selector from park to neutral. I have removed the key then insert the key move the ignition from start to run. Nothing. Then I leave the vehicle to sit for an hour then it cranks and starts fine for a couple of weeks before it happens again.The dealer is unable to duplicate so they are no help. I don't have another key with a chip in it or anything with a bar code on my key ring. I thought next time it happens I will check for power at the solenoid terminal. If I do not have 12V I thought I could use a hand held remote started switch to crank the vehicle. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[kam327]

May be the instrument cluster. Does the red light on top of the dash glow weak and steady after the no crank? Try disconnecting and reconnecting the battery to see if the light starts flashing and she starts right up. If so it could be the instrument cluster.

 

[billat28]

Thanks I will try that next time it happens

 

[Town]

When you turn the ignition on or to start position the PATS light on the top of the dash should go out indicating that the chipped key has been read by the transceiver and forwarded to the Instrument Cluster and its code matches the PATS programming in the Instrument cluster. If the light continues to flash or stays on solid then you have a PATS issue and a DTC should be set in the Instrument Cluster module.

If the light continues to flash then the key may not be read correctly by the transceiver mounted around the ignition switch. The transceiver can fail or its wiring can be frayed or broken (can be damaged by steering wheel angling movement). Replacing the transceiver is usually a cheap and easy fix.

If the transceiver is ok and the DTCs indicate a faulty Instrument Cluster then a dealer has to do the replacement to match it to the PCM for VIN and security code. An expensive repair.

If the PATS light goes out then there may be an intermittant failure in the starter relay (fails to close the contact to supply battery voltage to the small wire at the starter solenoid) or the small wire to the starter solenoid is broken or the terminal is loose (common on Taurus). The solenoid on the starter may have burnt contacts that occassionally prevent the full battery voltage being applied to the starter.

Good luck.

 

[billat28]

Thank You Town I will check that next time it happens

 

[waskly]

May be the instrument cluster. Does the red light on top of the dash glow weak and steady after the no crank? Try disconnecting and reconnecting the battery to see if the light starts flashing and she starts right up. If so it could be the instrument cluster.

pats is not part of the ic.

the ex will start with out an ic.

 

[waskly]

I have a 2010 Explorer with an intermittent no crank. When it happens I have moved the gear selector from park to neutral. I have removed the key then insert the key move the ignition from start to run. Nothing. Then I leave the vehicle to sit for an hour then it cranks and starts fine for a couple of weeks before it happens again.The dealer is unable to duplicate so they are no help. I don't have another key with a chip in it or anything with a bar code on my key ring. I thought next time it happens I will check for power at the solenoid terminal. If I do not have 12V I thought I could use a hand held remote started switch to crank the vehicle. Any help would be appreciated.

any codes?

does it simply not crank?

any weird messages on the instrument cluster?

does the mileage display?

does the cel light illuminate with key on, when it does not start?

 

[Town]

pats is not part of the ic.

the ex will start with out an ic.

Sorry, but kam327 is right. Here is an extract from the 2007 Explorer workshop manual:

"PATS Function
The PATS function is controlled by the instrument cluster. The PATS uses the instrument cluster to carry out all of the PATS functions, such as receiving the identification code from the PATS key, issuing a signal to the powertrain control module (PCM) to control the starter and fuel injectors enable, and initiating the key interrogation sequence when the ignition key is turned to the ON or START position. Because of the interaction between the instrument cluster and the PCM, there are parameters that must be set if the instrument cluster or the PCM (or both) are replaced."

 

[billat28]

To Waskley no,yes, no, yes yes. It happened again yesterday. I checked for power at the solenoid then the relay. No Power. I disconnected the negative batt. cable for 10 seconds then reconnected it cranked and started right up. The red light on the dash acted the same whether it cranks or not. Could it be the transceiver in the column?

 

[kam327]

To Waskley no,yes, no, yes yes. It happened again yesterday. I checked for power at the solenoid then the relay. No Power. I disconnected the negative batt. cable for 10 seconds then reconnected it cranked and started right up. The red light on the dash acted the same whether it cranks or not. Could it be the transceiver in the column?

Exactly how I got around the PATS / instrument cluster problem. Except for the light. So the light blinks every couple seconds like normal when it won't crank?

 

[Town]

To Waskley no,yes, no, yes yes. It happened again yesterday. I checked for power at the solenoid then the relay. No Power. I disconnected the negative batt. cable for 10 seconds then reconnected it cranked and started right up. The red light on the dash acted the same whether it cranks or not. Could it be the transceiver in the column?

If the red PATS light on the top of the dash is flashing when the key is in the off position and when it is in the on or start position the PATS module in the Instrument cluster is detecting a problem. Since removing the neg terminal on the battery and replacing it allows the engine to turn and start and the PATS light is still flashing it sounds like a PATS module (IC) problem rather than a key or transceiver problem. But with electronics it is not easy to be certain without the diagnostic tools. I think the transceiver is about $20 and installing is easy.

A PATS module problem may show up as a PCM DTC but it is a generalised code with no helpfull info. You need a scanner capable of interrogating the PATS module in the IC. I will take a look, but the first question is "do you have an aftermarket auto start feature on the car" if the answer is yes then Ford advise removing it before continuing with the diagnosis (my son's Explorer has the Ford auto start feature).

Good luck.

PS: do you have any electronic keys or cards close to your ign key? They can affect the PATS operation.

 

[billat28]

Thanks. No I do not have any other electronic keys or cards next to the primary key.