I have 2001 f150 5.4L. The problem that I am having is the only way I can start the truck is to use the unlock from the fob or the keypad on the door. If I just use the key in the ignition the dash comes on but will not start or turn over. I have 2 keys and they both do the same thing. The only recent thing that i have done was to resolder the odometer cable because of the odometer blinking issue, did not replace the odometer, also disconnected battery before fixing the odometer. Any help would be appericiated.

 

That doesn't make any sense. Neither have anything to do with the PATS system or anything to do with starting the engine.

Sounds more like you have some kind of aftermarket security system also installed. Do you?

 

As far as I know it is not after market system. Everything I found has the ford logo on it. I also thought the pats system had to do with the security system. I use to be able to just put the key in the ignition and start the truck with out having to use the fob to unlock it to disengage the theft so the truck would start.

 

The default PATS security system didn't do anything with the fobs. PATS only prevents drive-away vehicle theft by disabling the engine if the proper key isn't recognized when the starting attempt is made.

However, there were Ford-branded add-on security systems offered but they are not in any of the service manuals so I have no information about them. You will probably need to consult a dealer to see if they can identify what you have if no one here pipes up.

 

I wonder if you need to reset the PATS? There's a way to do this for one that's malfunctioning and the method should be found in your owner's manual. If you don't have the manual, you can get it online.

I don't have enough knowledge of the specific systems in a 2001 truck to help you with the actual steps, but if the PATS has somehow been triggered, there's a way to reset it.

It's interesting to me that your door keypad code gives the go-ahead for the key to start the truck. I don't have any idea if mine would do that.

- Jack

 

It does?

It cannot in stock PATS form. There is no connection or interaction between the systems.

 

There is no reset function available to the owner and power down does not reset the system..
If there was there would not be so many issues and truck theft would be very frequent, if known and defeat the purpose of the system.
This is why you cannot just change out dash, PCM or PATS hardware separately.
These parts operate with a coded signal between them such that there can be no reset as you might know it on other systems.
Good luck.

 

Definitely not PATS. PATS will not prevent the engine from cranking - just junning. What is the THEFT light in the dash doing? Can you upload a picture of your fob and keypad?

 

Not 100% true... You can pop in a Super Duty PCM if you have a 5.4 because they didn't have PATS. The theft light will go crazy as you drive off in the stolen truck, but most criminals don't care.

 

That's correct for the truck under discussion, but there are a number of Ford, including the F150 starting in 04, that have starter interrupts as part of the PATS system, some going back to 96 (Contourd/Mystake).

This chart USED to be on motorcraftservice.com, but it's been replaced with a newer version that only goes back half this far. Suggest that anyone interested download and locally store a copy of the old version.

facultyfiles.deanza.edu/gems/waltonjohn/KeysJobAid.pdf

 

I didn't know that. Good thing I'm not posting on the 04 and up boards! Great, I learned something new. I wonder what it pushed out of my brain.

****IRRELEVANT INFORMATION BELOW****

I have the original 5.4 PCM tucked away in my V10 swapped F150 just to keep the theft light from blinking. It's only powered on during engine crank. That way my light still blinks when I shut the car off to keep criminals from stealing my beat up 220k mile truck with bald tires.

 

If I don't use the unlock button on the fob or use the door keypad the theft light will just continue to flash every 2 seconds when I put the key in the ignition. Here are the pics.

 

That definitely looks to be Ford factory.

So if you try to crank the engine without using the fob or the keypad, does the the theft light blink rapidly?

Did this ever work with just the keys?

Are the keys original?

 

No the theft light just keeps blinking once every 2 seconds. I was able to start the truck with just the keys before I removed the odometer to fix the loose connection issue. The keys look original, but not positive bought the truck used, they have the ford logo on them.

 

Sorry guys, and especially Joe. I was completely out to lunch regarding a "reset" feature in the owners manual. Looks like the procedure is to take the truck to a dealer when the PATS malfunctions. I was obviously confused, and it's not the first time that's happened nor will it be the last.

Since your anti-theft light is not glowing steadily for three seconds after you turn the ignition to ON, I can only conclude that you need to do the dealership dance. Your system does not seem to be recognizing your chipped key. The light is not blinking rapidly, which is supposed to indicate a theft attempt.

I wonder, if it IS blinking rapidly will a valid start attempt with a transponder key cause the system to reset to normal operation? I suspect this is what my poor feeble brain was thinking about earlier. I would hope the real owner would be able to start his/her truck after an aborted theft attempt.

Still, I don't see how using the keypad or the keyfob has anything to do with starting either. It's my understanding, after re-reading my manual carefully, that it's only the key that works the magic. The keypad and fob are only for opening the door (and of course the key will do that too).

The manual DOES caution one about having two transponder keys, large metallic objects or electronic devices on the same keychain. They can cause interference with the key and cause a starting issue. I'm guessing you don't have any of that excess stuff attached?

- Jack