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Help . Ecm?


Seapimp

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My problem is under my hood got soaked . Next day I drove the truck . Then noticed dash lights,speedo and all symbols were flashing crazy . Truck still ran but dash lights ect.were flashing crazy off and all shambles were going crazy . Parked it left hood open to dry . Checked all fuses ,connections ect.. turn key everything lights up but now pat sytem symbol lights up . I’ve owned the truck going on 9 yrs ( 2008 xlt ) . And I’ve never used or even knew I had pats system . Everything works but truck won’t start . Plugged diagnostic in and only thing it reads is “ no line “ .ive sprayed everything with WD -40 pulled ECM looks dry as toast . and my problem besides not being a mechanic is What does that lack of code mean ? Ford will look at it for an outrages amount of money after I have truck towed to them . Any suggestion would be helpful thanx . Was told ECM might be junk .
 


RonD

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Unhook the battery for 60-90min, just one cable is fine, this will cause a full reset of Anti-theft system(PATS) in the dash

When you have erratic electrical voltages, i.e. the flashing dash lights, the PATS may think someone is trying to steal the truck
It does have a chip with a built in battery, so even without power it won't reset itself for an hour or so

2008 Ranger has an HEC Cluster(dash), google: Ford HEC testing

You can run system tests to see if dash is functioning properly

The water could also have shorted a system so a fuse has blown in engine fuse box, have a look


When you turn on the key the PATS light(padlock) should come on steady, and then go off, if it flashes rapidly then anti-theft is active and will not allow startup
After it flashes for about 60 seconds it should start to flash a 2 digital code number, always starts with 1, so 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 ect, this can tell you why PATS won't allow startup
And these should also come up on HEC test as Bxxx codes

Did you try to connect OBD reader to system with key off, if not try that then turn key on

And make sure CEL(check engine light) comes on with key on, that means computer(ECM/PCM) is booting up, if it doesn't check fuses in engine bay again, the PCM fuse
 
Last edited:

Seapimp

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Thanx Josh ,I disconnected battery over night ,checked every fuse with a meter and by eye . It actually said ” no link “ not no line . I’ll try your other suggestions thank you
 

Seapimp

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My problem is under my hood got soaked . Next day I drove the truck . Then noticed dash lights,speedo and all symbols were flashing crazy . Truck still ran but dash lights ect.were flashing crazy off and all shambles were going crazy . Parked it left hood open to dry . Checked all fuses ,connections ect.. turn key everything lights up but now pat sytem symbol lights up . I’ve owned the truck going on 9 yrs ( 2008 xlt ) . And I’ve never used or even knew I had pats system . Everything works but truck won’t start . Plugged diagnostic in and only thing it reads is “ no line “ .ive sprayed everything with WD -40 pulled ECM looks dry as toast . and my problem besides not being a mechanic is What does that lack of code mean ? Ford will look at it for an outrages amount of money after I have truck towed to them . Any suggestion would be helpful thanx . Was told ECM might be junk .
 

Seapimp

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Unhook the battery for 60-90min, just one cable is fine, this will cause a full reset of Anti-theft system(PATS) in the dash

When you have erratic electrical voltages, i.e. the flashing dash lights, the PATS may think someone is trying to steal the truck
It does have a chip with a built in battery, so even without power it won't reset itself for an hour or so

2008 Ranger has an HEC Cluster(dash), google: Ford HEC testing

You can run system tests to see if dash is functioning properly

The water could also have shorted a system so a fuse has blown in engine fuse box, have a look


When you turn on the key the PATS light(padlock) should come on steady, and then go off, if it flashes rapidly then anti-theft is active and will not allow startup
After it flashes for about 60 seconds it should start to flash a 2 digital code number, always starts with 1, so 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 ect, this can tell you why PATS won't allow startup
And these should also come up on HEC test as Bxxx codes

Did you try to connect OBD reader to system with key off, if not try that then turn key on

And make sure CEL(check engine light) comes on with key on, that means computer(ECM/PCM) is booting up, if it doesn't check fuses in engine bay again, the PCM fuse
 

Seapimp

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Josh thanx for the info on the HEC test . Whatever was wet must have dried out because dash seems to be back to normal . Only thing is that pats system must have me locked out . Called locksmith who said he never heard of a short or whatever reseting or locking someone’s keys out . But for a $100 he will come try to reprogram My keys . As far as any bxxxx codes or 1-1 ect.. none of that is coming up . Debating having lock smith come or towing truck to mechanic to see what they come up with . Again thanx
 

RonD

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Is the Theft light(padlock) FLASHING fast after turning key on?
Or does it go off?

If it goes off then its NOT a PATS issue

If it flashes fast then wait 60 second and get the code
 

Seapimp

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It’s Flashing fast and no codes are showing on dash just the padlock
 

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I believe the padlock is what flashes the codes for that system
 

RonD

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+1 ^^^^

Yes, padlock(is theft light) should flash codes after 45-60 seconds, leave key on
 

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