2003 3.0 Won't Turn Over - PATS Security Problem

[ScottT80]

I've got a 2003 Ranger 3.0 liter automatic with 95k miles on it. I've had the truck for about two years and have never had any issues with it except for a faulty door sensor that turns the dome light on. Occasionally it'll stick and leave the light on.

Two nights ago this happened... came out to a dead truck. It tried to turn over but was too weak. Charged the battery up and it wouldn't start, nor turn over at all. Voltage is fine.... I checked it. The battery is about four years old, so I tried the new battery out of our other car. Still no luck. All lights, gauges, etc work fine but nothing happens when you turn the key. No turning over, not even the click of the solenoid. I've checked the grounds and battery wiring, and tried a known good battery as well as trying two keys in it.

I went out this afternoon and tried it again. I left the battery unhooked for an hour or so and then tried it... still no luck. I have no reason to believe the starter or solenoid are gone on a clean, 95k mile truck that behaved fine the day before. I did check the wiring and they looked fine.

All indications point to the factory anti theft alarm being the culprit. The PATS system. It doesn't have power locks or keyless entry, but does have a theft light on the dash. I have two of the chipped keys that came with the truck. How do I get it going? I've searched all the internet without any luck... they all say tow it to Ford... I'd like to avoid that... thanks for the help guys!

 

[ScottT80]

I should also mention I checked the fuses and relays in the cab as well as under the hood. I also tried starting in park as well as neutral.

 

[naford]

If it's a pat system problem and I could be wrong the anti-theft light that blinks slowly will blink really fast when you try to start the truck.

 

[ScottT80]

I'll give that a try in the morning... thanks!

 

[martin]

Try not to over think this. Start with the basics, is the ignition switch working? do the dash lights come on when you turn the key to run? if you bridge the starter solenoid will the motor turn over? If it will turn over when you bridge the solenoid do the injectors pulse? You'll have to go through it systematically, there's a how to do it somewhere but I can't find it. Good luck.

 

[ScottT80]

The ignition switch seems fine. All the lights, electrical stuff seems fine... but I don't hear the fuel pump coming on which is why I suspect pats. I haven't tried going directly to the solenoid. I don't have a remote starter and I can't see how to jump it with a screwdriver the way it's mounted to the starter. Can you replace just the solenoid on these newer trucks?

Also, on the pats system... I don't see the theft light blinking any faster when I try to start it so maybe I am looking in the wrong direction there.

I've checked all the fuses twice and swapped relays around under the hood and it still won't turn over at all.

Thanks again for the input guys....