3.0L Vulcan Transplant - Computer Help Needed!

[Mitch_c]

I was given a 3.0L V6 from a 99 Ranger. Included was the ECU, Engine wiring harness, and 5speed trans. (I have an under hood fuse box and wiring harness from a 98 Explorer.. Pinning appears to be close).

Originally I was going to keep engine as a spare for my rebodied 2003 Ranger (has 1940 Ford Pickup "skin" transplanted. Changed direction and have physically put the "spare" in a 1971 MGB, wanting it to power the roadster.

The PATS system is the only issue I don't know how to get around. I have no key or PATS matching the ECU.

Is there any way you know to wire around the PATS circuit in the ECU? Any other cost effective ways to overcome my delema?

I also have a 97 Taurus non-PATS ECU. Would it be feasible and more cost effective to use it? What would I need??

Lots of questions.... Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RonD]

No, no way around PATS, programmers can reload software and delete it, no I don't know any

PATS disables fuel injectors, main point of what computer does, so a good anti-theft software.

Outside of reloading software no changes to computer can be made while it is out of the vehicle.
A mobile locksmith with Ford software on a laptop can Cut and add PATS keys to the system if it is wire up correctly in the vehicle

1999-2001 Rangers used separate PATS module(above glove box) which is "married" to the computer, so they are a matched set, if you need to change either one then only a Ford Dealer can "remarry" them.
They used RSA encryption, what that means is that each time key is turned on, a long number encrypted by Module is sent to the computer, computer then decrypts that number to get the "Start" or No Start" message.
That encrypted number changes each time so knowing what it was once doesn't help the next time.
Look up RSA encryption if you want to see how it works, very simple and very secure for this type of use.

Also a couple of other changes in the late 1990's
1998 and up computer will be set for 65psi fuel pressure, Returnless, earlier would be set for 35psi pressure

1999 and up used 2-wire Cam Sensor, earlier use 3-wire
2-wire is variable reluctance
3-wire is hall effect
Totally different signals no way to wire around that, so you need to match Cam sensor to computer year and wiring harness.
Not a big deal just need to change the cam synchro and sensor

 

[Mitch_c]

Still Struggling

Well... I've not been able to find a pre-PATS 3.0L Ranger parts donor vehicle as of yet.

.. Am I correct that 95-97 are the years I need to find...correct?

.. Will a Taurus or Sable harness, ECM, etc work even if I use manual trans?


Any valid options, other than not using the 3.0L Vulcan, would greatly be appreciated.

Mitch

 

[RonD]

Yes, 1995 to 1997 for fuel pressure reasons

 

[stmitch]

Well... I've not been able to find a pre-PATS 3.0L Ranger parts donor vehicle as of yet.

.. Am I correct that 95-97 are the years I need to find...correct?

.. Will a Taurus or Sable harness, ECM, etc work even if I use manual trans?


Any valid options, other than not using the 3.0L Vulcan, would greatly be appreciated.

Mitch

The PCM needs to be from a manual trans Ranger. An auto PCM will be looking for inputs that aren't present with a manual transmission. Technically, you could use an aftermarket tuner and delete the auto trans functions from a Taurus PCM, or auto Ranger PCM, but it's difficult to pull off well and if you're buying a tuner, then you can just delete the PATS stuff from your current PCM.

Honestly, the custom tuner is the way that I'd go. $400-ish will get you a decent SCT handheld with 3 custom tunes that can account for most any modifications that might be required to put the Vulcan in your MG. You can change tunes anytime you want, and it can be used as a codes reader too. It will save you a bunch of time looking for the perfect donor, and then hoping that the donor PCM works as planned.

 

[Mitch_c]

OK... I've potentially found a 98 Ranger 3.0 manual trans ECM..

Questions are: - Will the 99 Ranger engine harness work with this?
- Will there be an issue with the Cam Positioning Sensor?
- Will an engine compartment harness from a non-ranger 3.0 manual
trans vehicle work and if so, which ones?

 

[Mitch_c]

Trying to stay away from a custom reprogram and instead use production items, in case a future problem would arise that would result in needing to replace components...

Have a line on a computer for a 98 Ranger 5speed 3.0 computer.. should be Non-PATS.. Next is wiring harness compatibility. Only harnesses I have are 99 Ranger 4speed engine harness and 98 Explorer Sport under hood wiring harness with fuse and relay box.. These will plug together, but I've not got a good feeling about pinning compatibility.

Also, I need to know the specific minimum pin connections needed to get the engine to run.. I'm sure that not all are needed to do engine and fuel management (referring to the connections from the engine wiring harness to the under hood wiring harness..

When I started this journey, I'd hoped that a Taurus Computer would work and acquired a wiring shop manual for a 96 Taurus.. as well as an 03 Ranger..not knowing of the apparent significant differences....

 

[stmitch]

Is your 3.0 engine flex fuel, or regular? What about the non-PATS PCM that you're considering is it from a flex fuel truck? If the engine and PCM aren't the same fuel type, you'll need to swap injectors to match whatever the PCM is setup for. This could be an added expense. Try and avoid it if you can.

Some 3.0s had EGR, while others did not. This can cause issues with harness and PCM compatibility. Nothing that can't be overcome with a custom reflash, but it could present a hurdle for you. Does your 3.0 have EGR? Will the PCM be expecting it to? Is the harness setup for an EGR valve if it needs to be?

I understand wanting to avoid a reprogrammed PCM. But there are potentially a bunch of little obstacles that might have to be overcome depending on specifics of the engine, harness, and PCM that you have. They can all be taken care of by searching for the exact combination of hardware that you need, or by just reprogramming the PCM you already have and loading a new tune in 5 minutes.
You might get lucky with the parts though and not have any issues with compatibility.

 

[JayLapp03ranger]

Ok im not the only person that has came about this very same problem. I have an 03 ranger 4x2 was auto trans now manual trans with a 3.0L. I got the truck for nothing its got no rust and very little body damage but it didnt have any keys and i didnt know anything about fords pats system until soon after i took ownership!!! man let me tell you it wasnt easy but i drive the truck today and i didnt put a dime in it other then a couple hours of my time .I could tell you what i did to bypass pats system if your intrested. just let me know on this thread ill check it from time to time

 

[ReadyFireAim]

Ok im not the only person that has came about this very same problem. I have an 03 ranger 4x2 was auto trans now manual trans with a 3.0L. I got the truck for nothing its got no rust and very little body damage but it didnt have any keys and i didnt know anything about fords pats system until soon after i took ownership!!! man let me tell you it wasnt easy but i drive the truck today and i didnt put a dime in it other then a couple hours of my time .I could tell you what i did to bypass pats system if your intrested. just let me know on this thread ill check it from time to time

I’d like to know more about how you solved your problem. I no longer have a functional key for my 2007 Ranger.

 

[Dirtman]

I’d like to know more about how you solved your problem. I no longer have a functional key for my 2007 Ranger.

- Buy 2 new keys (must have 2, cannot be clones)
- have them cut to fit your ignition
- get a windows based laptop
- download forscan
- buy a usb-to-obd2 adapter
- program the new keys via forscan software

Or hire a locksmith.

 

[cbxer55]

My 98 is non-PATS. Thank you very much!

 

[RonD]

I’d like to know more about how you solved your problem. I no longer have a functional key for my 2007 Ranger.

FIRST thing is to tell us why key no longer works
Does it not Turn the cylinder to unlock the steering wheel and turn on the power?
If so then it is a mechanical issue not a PATS(passive anti-theft) issue

If it turns the lock but you get a Flashing Theft light, and no start up, then its a PATS issue
Leave the key on and wait 45-60seconds, the Theft light will start to flash a 2 digit code, 1 flash a pause then 1 to 6 flashes, longer pause then it repeats
That code number will tell you WHY key is not working
Most common issue is the transceiver, its the powered antenna around the key slot, easy to swap out

Theft light code flashes
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.

If its a Key issue then a Mobile Locksmith that has Ford Software is the least expensive option
They can cut new PATS keys and add them to your PATS module
They can also fix a mechanical issue, i.e. key is not turning in the lock

 

[99rangers]

Is this 5he end of this thread?

 

[ericbphoto]

Is this 5he end of this thread?

No. Now, THIS is the end of the thread.