P.a.t. Issue ---help

[aritchie]

Ok. It's like this; I am definitely not married to the sharpest tool in the shed. ...so here goes!

96 Explorer xlt 4x4- My husband was in a hurry recently & upon trying to start the vehicle, the column was kinda stuck & instead of trying to "unlock" correctly he got angry & jammed a screwdriver into the switch and pretty much dismantled the column! I know, right? Of course with these newer vehicles & anti-theft that was an idiotic option.

I do know some tricks for bypassing and have been successful on my Maxima (of course I didn't demolish the column)!

It's there anything that can be done to be driveable? The truck acts as though it. wants to start but the theft indicator flashes repeatedly. Any suggestions, anyone???

 

[vroomzoomboom]

a 96 doesn't have p.a.t.s.

 

[Kiliona]

Apparently vroomzoomboom thinks your vehicle doesn't have PATS, if that's true the theft light shouldn't be flashing. If it is the way to fix it is to lock and unlock the drivers door with the key, on most systems that resets it.

What's your key look like? a little piece of metal with no plastic? = not a coded key, no PATS.

Is it metal with a plastic end that is square-ish and black? if so it has PATS.

If you have the key, one way to get around the pats is to try and start it with whatever method you're using, but touch the key the coded key to the metal in the ignition lock cylinder somehow (like taping it to the end of the screwdriver, metal touching metal) then it should still read your coded key.

The easiest and best option is to replace the lock cylinder, It literally takes 30 seconds (5 mins if youve never done and have to fiddle with and find the correct size pin to release it). On my mustang I simply push a .125" diamater pin (drillbit works) through the hole under the lock cylinder, find the tab to release it, and with the key in the run position release it and pull the lock cylinder out. Cheap, easy, permanent fix.

Also stop dangling so much crud off your keychain, it puts stress on the lock cylinder and breaks it, and if your steering wheels stuck, chances are the wheels tried to be turned without the key in it. jiggle the wheel and try turning it both directions while trying to turn the key.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

95 to around 97 1/2 didn't have p.a.t.s., 98 and up did

 

[vroomzoomboom]

Oh, and if it did have p.a.t.s., simply replace the lock cylinder with a new one won't work. You would need to have it reprogrammed to the computer or it will not pulse the injectors when you try to start it

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site.

Tony

 

[Kiliona]

Oh, and if it did have p.a.t.s., simply replace the lock cylinder with a new one won't work. You would need to have it reprogrammed to the computer or it will not pulse the injectors when you try to start it

That's actually very easy to get around.. again this is on a mustang, but that's what I have experience on. This is for a 96-98, hopefully someone can interject and let me know if they're the same system.

If you want to initiate a new master key....
1. Insert new key into ignition cylinder and turn it to the ON (RUN) position. The security light on the dash will flash for fifteen minutes.

2. When the security light stops flashing, you have FIVE minutes to start the next step. Turn the ignition cylinder OFF and then back to the ON (RUN) position. The security light on the dash will flash for fifteen more minutes.

3. When the security light stops flashing, you have FIVE minutes to start the next step. Turn the ignition cylinder to OFF and then back ON (RUN) position. The dash will flash for fifteen more minutes.

4. After the security light stops flashing the third time, the new key has been programmed into the vehicles computer and will operate the car. It has replaced ALL the previous electronic key codes and is the ONLY key programmed into the vehicles computer.

If you want to add a key....
1. Insert an existing key into the ignition cylinder.

2. Turn the ignition cylinder to ON (RUN) and back to OFF.

3. Remove the existing key and, within 15 seconds, insert the new key and turn it to ON (RUN).

4. The security light will light up for two seconds to indicate success in programming the key into the vehicle.

5. Don't attempt to start the vehicle with any key for at least 1 minute.

Oh, again, if the theft light flashes while you crank, then pats is preventing ignition and fuel injection and preventing it from starting. Perhaps the original poster was incorrect about the year?

 

[vroomzoomboom]

The easiest and best option is to replace the lock cylinder

i didnt say anything about keys, i said you just cant replace the lock cylinder

 

[Kiliona]

i didnt say anything about keys, i said you just cant replace the lock cylinder

The lock cylinder doesn't really have anything to do with the antitheft. The code that the antitheft module reads is coded into the key. The point of the lock cylinder is so you can't physically turn or put in a key (or screwdriver) in of the wrong cut. The lock cylinder is purely a mechanical piece, except for the fact that the electrical signal that the antitheft module pulses to check the key, passes through the lock cylinder. But as I stated before, even a screwdriver or something could transmit this signal.

Lock cylinder just requires being turned to the run signal to be removed, and it transmits the coded keys signal to the antitheft module.

Earlier I outlined how to replace the lock cylinder, the only part where the computer is involved with replacing it is when you need to reprogram new keys.

I don't mean to argue, just mean to be informative. But tbh I think OP never even checked this thread after she posted it.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234975