PATS THEFT PROBLEM - EXPLORER V8 XLT 5.0 302 (SOLUTION?)

[jmedina]

Hi everyone,

I share this videos i recorded this morning. I was having issues with the PATS system in my truck in such a manner that it wouldnt let me start it. And I had to try several times to do so.

One of those times, i noticed that when i was trying to turn it on and i press the break pedal a few times, it looked that it got the power in the cluster and the pats system pass on.
the problem in my case was the conector of Back Break Ligth, i didn't change it i just clean the conector and the sensor with contact cleaner and put it back on, it remain the same but i move the conector a little bit and it turn the ligths on with no problem.

If you're experience this, try this method, perhaps it'll help you as well.

First video: VID_20240712_090124.mp4
Second video: VID_20240712_090558.mp4

Thank you all!

 

[jmedina]

Hello Everyone!

A quick update about this issue.

Apparently, my truck used to have a gps and power cut system that was there but was no use at all. That was part of the problem; I cut it down and let the power normalize with the original cable. That worked fine for a bit.

Then the problem came on again, with the same issues: no power in the cluster, theft system activated. Again, I moved the brake pedal, and it came back to power. I'm guessing that it's sulfated cables, and I also got the B1318 error code with others as well.

I will check out all the wiring to see, but that's what I believe the problem is—sulfated cables.

I'll keep you posted!

 

[J_C]

You mean sulfated as in corrosion on the battery clamps and/or where the wires are fastened into them? I don't think there is anywhere else on the vehicle that can get sulfated cables, unless you drive through sulfur mining country or are using the vehicle as a mobile fireworks launch station.

Is it cranking too slow? Battery connection sulfation should slow cranking down a lot, if dropping enough voltage to make the dash or PATS malfunction. PATS on a '00 wouldn't keep it from cranking normally, does not cut out the starter.

Without more info, I'd guess it was just a bad rewiring job when or after that cutout circuit was put on or taken off the vehicle, would recheck every single wire connection that was redone and consider recrimping or soldering and heatshrinking those.

Power in the cluster and power to the PATS receiver halo may be two separate issues. AFAIK, you don't need the cluster powered to start the vehicle on a 2000 model year. However without power to the cluster, you may not see the PATS theft light [blinking rapidly] like it would if PATS is preventing the vehicle from starting instead of some other cause.