PATS, A Xmas miracle!

[Otis413]

So, Monday (off all week for Christmas) I finally got around to getting my two (cheap eBay keys, bought months ago) cut and programed into my '04 Edge (first time trying this). Having only one original key I was nervous about the process, so I connected with FORscan, new key in switch, and under DTC got code B1601 (Key recognized, not programed into PATS).
Ok good! proceeded to erase and program new keys, kept ending up with only one key programed (of course, won't start that way..) so I tried just the two new keys; 0 keys programed..
Tried a few more times, different combinations, same results, neither new key would program.. Freezing, I gave up and went and ordered two new Ford OEM (S stamped) H84-PT keys from Amazon. (good reviews)

With the truck not running, I took Christmas day off.

Today I went and got the ign key cylinder out of my '02 XLT (parked for repairs) with plans to use it and program those two (OEM) keys into the 04 until I got my new (hopefully good) keys in the mail and then cut.
I put the key cylinder from the 02 into my 04 and cycled the key to make sure everything fit right, and,, it started!!
I let it idle for a while, restarted, drove it around the yard, WTH? when I left it it Monday it had 0 keys programed...

Also, the other OEM key from the 02 wont start the 04. Just luck I used the one working key to test the fit of the 02 key clyinder lock in the 04. and the 02 won't start with the 04s key..

Worst case I'll just switch the door locks and keep it this way, maybe bite the bullet and get the good key cloned...

Moral of the story; don't buy cheap PATS key blanks..
QUOTE FORscan forum sticky; "experience says that B1601 code is not a guarantee of a flawless work."

In my defense I bought them before doing a lot of research on the subject, I'll try (using FORscan) to add a key without erasing next time. (I thing that works using FORscan with only one good key, more research for me to do)

 

[Otis413]

Oddly enough, while doing all this I noticed the ranger key cylinders looked a lot like the ones in 80s model Ford Escorts and Tempos I had worked on in the past.. I had one in my spare parts box (I am NOT a hoarder... really, I'm not.. really..) and guess what, the escort key cylinder fit in the Rangers and worked (except for not having a chip in the key) fine!
That's one of the things I like about Fords, so many parts interchange. well sort of interchange at least, it would work if you hacked the PATS system to not need a chip key I guess

Top cylinder from a 2004 Ford Ranger
Lower cylinder from a 1985 Ford Escort

 

[adsm08]

Hmm. Now you have me thinking about other naughty things. Like can I use some combobulation of parts to have one key that starts all 4 of my vehicles.

 

[black_demon69]

Hmm. Now you have me thinking about other naughty things. Like can I use some combobulation of parts to have one key that starts all 4 of my vehicles.

Have 2 Rangers And just cut a key for 1 truck on one side then the other truck on the other side. Just have to flip it over for 1 truck or the other.

 

[Otis413]

Hmm. Now you have me thinking about other naughty things. Like can I use some combobulation of parts to have one key that starts all 4 of my vehicles.

Funny you should mention that...

I just did a PATS bypass trick on the '02 I found on Mustang website, super easy and no cutting splicing or anything like that, can be reversed in a matter of minutes.
Anyway the '02 now starts and runs no trouble with the Escort key cylinder, I know these cylinders are easy to "re-tumble" to match existing keys from another cylinder. In fact, I pulled the pins (Tumblers) from the Escort cylinder and now the 02 doesn't even need a key. NOTE: The 02 isn't road legal right now anyway, just a farm truck till I can put new seals and cam chains in the motor.

Related story (old man rambling ahead)

Have 2 Rangers And just cut a key for 1 truck on one side then the other truck on the other side. Just have to flip it over for 1 truck or the other.

Back in my RWD hotroding days, my brother and I had Fords and Mopars, The Fords we had, we took a key from his vehicle, ('74 F100 w 429 big block, headers, etc., 4x2) copied it to one side of a blank key, the other side copied from my '74 Ford Torino (351C, headers, 4bbl, LTD station wagon suspension, etc, the thing was a tank.) Like Demon69 said, One key would start either vehicle, later we learned how to re-tumble the key cylinders, on Fords and Mopars, so we only needed to carry one Chrysler and one Ford key... Simpler times... Cheap muscle cars, junkyards everywhere.. We had a blast.
I miss my little brother.

 

[bobbywalter]

i dont usually use keys on my personal vehicles.




fawk pats.....deletion of it is my only view. seen too many people stranded because of it. many times in the worst case financial scenario.


its not a good thing. people that steal cars for a living do not care if it has anti theft or not. in this time most that can joyride hot wire would not try it on a vehicle that is typically equipped with pats.

in that light...your still pats protected even after you delete it...