P1260 stuck in theft mode

[KingKlown95]

Recently got a 1999 ford ranger 3.0 super cab flex fuel had a burnt computer so i found a used one and now im stuck in theft mode please help

 

[RonD]

Welcome to the forum

1999 and up V6 Rangers have PATS(passive anti-theft system), 4cyl Rangers didn't get this until 2001
In 1999/2000 there is a separate PATS Module above the glove box that is connected to the Transceiver(antenna around ignition key slot) and to the Computer(PCM)

The PATS Module and PCM were "married" at the factory, so neither can be "swapped" without reprogramming(re-marrying)
This prevents theft by swapping PCMs

There is no by-pass for PATS, even temporary, wouldn't be much of an anti-theft system if there was, lol
PATS disables starter and fuel pump, but its main deterrent is no fuel injectors which can have no "work around"

There are a few options
Tow it to Ford and have the units re-married, call and ask, they may say no if you didn't get the "new" PATS module or PCM from them, because they don't want to deal with 3rd party parts they may not work

Forscan is a software that you can run on a laptop that is connected to the vehicle via OBD2 connector with USB(special cable)
Article here on "remarrying": https://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1500
This is NOT Ford software so no guarantees, its 3rd party, but does a lot of other stuff as well

Buy a Matched Set
Get the PCM and PATS module from same 1999 Ranger 3.0l FF with matching transmission(manual or automatic matters to PCM)
2WD or 4x4 doesn't matter, nor does regular or extended cab
Also get at least 1 key with this "married set" and the ignition key cylinder so you can start engine

1998 PCM didn't have PATS but it also used a 3 wire Cam sensor so different engine wiring harness, so its possible to use a 1998 PCM but would require some rewiring
2001 and up PCMs have PATS but also used a different transmission control system so would require a different transmission with wiring


PATS uses transponder keys, each key has a unique number in its handle(RFID tag), no batteries needed
The 3 keys/numbers that came with the new Ranger were programmed into the PATS module at the factory
When you turn on the key the transceiver(antenna) reads that number and the PATS module looks it up on the programmed key list
If number is matched then PATS module sends the "OK to start" to PCM, this is an encrypted(RSA encryption) message, and changes each time you start the engine, so can't be duplicated

If no match is found then No Start

New PATS keys can be added to the list by most locksmiths, Ford and using Forscan
So if you swap a PATS module(with PCM) you need one of its programmed keys, or you need to add keys

 

[KingKlown95]

Welcome to the forum

1999 and up V6 Rangers have PATS(passive anti-theft system), 4cyl Rangers didn't get this until 2001
In 1999/2000 there is a separate PATS Module above the glove box that is connected to the Transceiver(antenna around ignition key slot) and to the Computer(PCM)

The PATS Module and PCM were "married" at the factory, so neither can be "swapped" without reprogramming(re-marrying)
This prevents theft by swapping PCMs

There is no by-pass for PATS, even temporary, wouldn't be much of an anti-theft system if there was, lol
PATS disables starter and fuel pump, but its main deterrent is no fuel injectors which can have no "work around"

There are a few options
Tow it to Ford and have the units re-married, call and ask, they may say no if you didn't get the "new" PATS module or PCM from them, because they don't want to deal with 3rd party parts they may not work

Forscan is a software that you can run on a laptop that is connected to the vehicle via OBD2 connector with USB(special cable)
Article here on "remarrying": https://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1500
This is NOT Ford software so no guarantees, its 3rd party, but does a lot of other stuff as well

Buy a Matched Set
Get the PCM and PATS module from same 1999 Ranger 3.0l FF with matching transmission(manual or automatic matters to PCM)
2WD or 4x4 doesn't matter, nor does regular or extended cab
Also get at least 1 key with this "married set" and the ignition key cylinder so you can start engine

1998 PCM didn't have PATS but it also used a 3 wire Cam sensor so different engine wiring harness, so its possible to use a 1998 PCM but would require some rewiring
2001 and up PCMs have PATS but also used a different transmission control system so would require a different transmission with wiring


PATS uses transponder keys, each key has a unique number in its handle(RFID tag), no batteries needed
The 3 keys/numbers that came with the new Ranger were programmed into the PATS module at the factory
When you turn on the key the transceiver(antenna) reads that number and the PATS module looks it up on the programmed key list
If number is matched then PATS module sends the "OK to start" to PCM, this is an encrypted(RSA encryption) message, and changes each time you start the engine, so can't be duplicated

If no match is found then No Start

New PATS keys can be added to the list by most locksmiths, Ford and using Forscan
So if you swap a PATS module(with PCM) you need one of its programmed keys, or you need to add keys

So there is no way to re-marry the pats and ecu i bought myself?

 

[RonD]

As said you can try Forscan software on a laptop with the special cable, I don't recommend Bluetooth wireless links for this function
I have never done this "re-marrying" myself, aka PATS module initialization

But go to: https://forscan.org/home.html
Read up
Check "How-tos"
And in the "Forums"

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So there is no way to re-marry the pats and ecu i bought myself?

You either need Forscan or a professional grade scan tool that has the ability to work in the anti-theft system to do it yourself or you need someone with access to one of those options.

If you don’t want to do it that way, you need (minimum) of ignition cylinder with transponder key, PATS module, and computer from a donor that would have the same engine and transmission. If you want the matching door locks to the keys, get those too. Replace them as a matched set.

Other than those options, you need a locksmith with a system for programming (not all locksmiths have the capability) or a Ford dealer.

If it was easier than that, then there would be no point to an anti-theft feature.