2007 ford ranger sport won't start or crank then after like 30-100 key strokes fires up

[ChristianCraig]

My 2007 ford ranger doesn't start half the time I don't think its the starter a mechanic buddy its something with the key lock or security and a chip inside. Anyone else have any solutions can't find anything about it.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Your 2007 Ranger has PATS(passive anti-theft system), not an alarm, its "passive", Ford also calls it SecuriLock

On the dash/cluster, there is a THEFT light, looks like a Padlock with a car behind it

When you put in the key and turn it ON the theft light should come on and then go OFF after 3 seconds
If the theft light starts to flash after that it means PATS couldn't read the Key you are using
This disables starter motor, and also fuel pump and fuel injectors, so there is no "work around"

If this happens then leave key ON and wait, in 45-60 seconds then theft light should start to flash a two digit code
A 1 followed by 1 to 6 more flashes, then a longer pause and it repeats the two digit code

That code will tell you what PATS "thinks" is wrong
11 Transceiver [transponder coil] not connected, or there is no power to it.
12 Transceiver internal fault.
13 No Key/no PATS key has been used to turn the ignition switch.
14 Incomplete key code received.
15 Invalid key code received.
16 CAN communications error.

Code 11 and 12 are most common, the transceiver is the antenna around the key slot that reads the PATS Key number
Not hard to replace these and no re-programming required

Another common issue with PATS is the battery voltage in the vehicle
12.3v to 12.8volts is acceptable
So get a volt meter, open the hood and test battery voltage
If its 12.2v or lower then that's most likely the problem

New battery is 12.8volts can be as high at 13v
3 year old battery is 12.5v
5/6 year old battery 12.3v and time to shop for battery sales

Car batteries last 5 to 6 years, sometimes 7 years
Your 2007 is 14 years old so should be on its 3rd battery, but could be "end of life" on 2nd battery

And could be just dirty battery cables, clean them

When starter motor is activated battery voltage will drop at least 2 volts, sometimes 2.5volts, this can cause PATS to reboot and check key again, but because of the low voltage it can't "read" the key so it triggers the anti-Theft system

 

[ChristianCraig]

Thank you so much for the detailed response
I have pats code 15, also the battery has dirty connections and is defiantly near the end of its life bought a new one and cleaned the leads and is working no problem now. Thank you have been dealing with this problem for so long glad to have it fixed.

 

[rubydist]

To add to what Ron said there is also a timer, so if it does flash the pats light, after about 45-60 seconds it will reset and try reading the key again. I had a Mountaineer years ago that sometimes (rarely) would flash the pats light and usually all one had to do was wait for the timer to time out, and try again and it would start.

 

[RonD]

Good work

Thanks for the update and THE FIX, it WILL help someone else down the road