Not starting when I try to turn it over

[ZUrso04]

Hi so i am very new to this and i need help, I have a 1997 Explorer Sport 4.0 V6 RWD, And I've been building it up since January of 2021 I've had to do my brakes pads and rotors, shocks , new oil and air filter a new battery 3 new windows degreased by engine safely ect. So I had gotten her all on new tires and everything I said done. it started when it would make a cranking noise but not turn over so i thought my battery was dead so I tried to charge it and came back the next week and it would still make noises when I turned the key but wouldn't turn over. when i put the key back to a resting position a red light on my dash came on and my trunk would lock, so i thought maybe fuel wasn't getting to the pump so i took the gas tank out and put it back in and still nothing and here I am.

 

[Rick]

Solved - Everything you wanted to know about PATS.

Antitheft and Alarm Systems: Description and Operation ANTI-THEFT The passive anti-theft system (PATS) uses radio frequency identification technology to deter a driveaway theft. Passive means that it does not require any activity from the user. The PATS uses a specially encoded ignition key...

www.explorerforum.com

Check that thread for info. It sounds like PATS was activated.

 

[ZUrso04]

Solved - Everything you wanted to know about PATS.

Antitheft and Alarm Systems: Description and Operation ANTI-THEFT The passive anti-theft system (PATS) uses radio frequency identification technology to deter a driveaway theft. Passive means that it does not require any activity from the user. The PATS uses a specially encoded ignition key...

www.explorerforum.com

Check that thread for info. It sounds like PATS was activate

Ok so update, i turned off the pats system by pressing the button under by dash on the drivers side, it turned off the red light however it still wont turn over i looked at both my fuse panel and the compartment under the hood and everything looks fine, however i just went to check to see if the fuel/inertia switch was on and the button was down so i dont believe it was activated? So maybe it is my fuel pump i am not sure

 

[fastpakr]

What button under the dash on the driver's side?

 

[ZUrso04]

What button under the dash on the driver's side?

Its a small black button to the left of the lever to open the hood.

 

[fastpakr]

That's not factory.

 

[ZUrso04]

That's not factory.

I was told that it was the override button

 

[fastpakr]

It may very well override -something-. But not the stock PATS system.

 

[ZUrso04]

It may very well override -something-. But not the stock PATS system.

Well i know that once i pressed it the red light on my dash stopped blinking, however it still doesn’t make sense as to why it cranks but wont turn over, i can only think its the fuel not getting anywhere

 

[Mbrooks420]

You can’t just disable PATS with a switch. That’s something aftermarket (just look how cheesy the switch is, and how janky it’s placement is). If your theft light blinks fast your truck isn’t picking up the keys transponder.

Check your fuel pressure with a gauge next time, and save the headache of senselessly pulling the tank.

 

[ZUrso04]

You can’t just disable PATS with a switch. That’s something aftermarket (just look how cheesy the switch is, and how janky it’s placement is). If your theft light blinks fast your truck isn’t picking up the keys transponder.

Check your fuel pressure with a gauge next time, and save the headache of senselessly pulling the tank.

Well i know the left light is off so that still mean the truck still isnt picking up anything and how does that get resolved and thank you.

 

[Mbrooks420]

The theft light should blink occasionally. It’s hard to say how to fix it, since no one knows what’s actually wrong. Check the fuel pressure, and go from there.

 

[1998Exp]

To the best of my knowledge, a 1997 model had no PATS, so that's not your problem. As someone already told you, the vehicle has some sort of aftermarket security, which may very well be responsible. It will probably have to be disabled, but no way to tell how without knowing what it is and what it was supposed to do. The first thing to do is to determine why the engine is not starting. Assuming no mechanical trouble, it's either lack of fuel or lack of spark. You need to test fuel pressure and check for spark.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Good catch, no PATS until 98.

 

[EB4X]

I was told that it was the override button

View attachment 372077

That button activates the FLUX CAPACITOR ! What ever you do ...do NOT press it.

 

[fastpakr]

Now that we've established that the truck is pre PATS, can you give us a little more info on the dash light that is flashing?

 

[ZUrso04]

Now that we've established that the truck is pre PATS, can you give us a little more info on the dash light that is flashing?

What happened was is there is a light on my dash right above my A/C vents and before i pressed that button under my dash it would blink at wierd times and i tried disconnecting my battery which when i did it shut off and stopped blinking red but when i put the cables back on all my lights started flashing and the red light would blink, after i hit that button the light never came back on.

 

[1998Exp]

What happened was is there is a light on my dash right above my A/C vents and before i pressed that button under my dash it would blink at wierd times and i tried disconnecting my battery which when i did it shut off and stopped blinking red but when i put the cables back on all my lights started flashing and the red light would blink, after i hit that button the light never came back on.

If you trace the wires from either that weird light or the "secret" switch, they will probably lead you to the aftermarket security box - most likely hanging somewhere under the dash and looking quite cheesy. Most of those things cut off the starter (yours obviously doesn't), the ignition, or the fuel pump, so even if the box cannot be identified once you find it, the connections will be quite obvious and can be restored to factory.

 

[ZUrso04]

If you trace the wires from either that weird light or the "secret" switch, they will probably lead you to the aftermarket security box - most likely hanging somewhere under the dash and looking quite cheesy. Most of those things cut off the starter (yours obviously doesn't), the ignition, or the fuel pump, so even if the box cannot be identified once you find it, the connections will be quite obvious and can be restored to factory.

So i went under my dash and traced the wire to this black box with a bunch of other wires connected to it and the wire that the button was connected to was connected to the blue as shown in this picture

 

[Mbrooks420]

Aftermarket immobilizer, looks like. I’d fully remove it.