called Ford and they said they had quite a few calls complaining of the same problem. (they said the starter is frozen) The battery is fine everything works, just won't send current to the starter. The relay just clicks when i turn the key to start. The relay sounds like it's in the glove box. Ford wants me to call and have the truck towed to them. Tried turning the switch on then off. Tried waiting for the chime to stop chiming before turning the key. Put a hair dryer on the starter still no luck. Dash LED flashes real fast. Rather embarrising having a new truck that wont start. Guess I'm going to have to wait till it warms up. Anybody else have this problem???

 

What dash LED is blinking fast? That's a bummer. My truck is sluggish to turn over at 0° this morning and last night, but fired up with only a few turns...

 

only mid 20's here. Vroom

 

My car starter didnt work when it it got to minus 20 a few weeks ago and the installers tweaked the signal to the starter to last 1 second, instead of a partial second and it works now.
Later Trev

 

Do you have the 4.6L? There was a recall (or sevice bulletin or something) on some '03's, because they wouldn't start below 0 degrees F. Mine was one, but I've never taken the time to take it in... I'll probably regret it one of these days...

 

The anti theft light on the dash blinks real fast. The book says the truck is disabled when it does that. It's a 5.4 and still won't start. Tried my other key and still no start. I guesss I have to call road side service to have it towed from my driveway to the dealer. I might try disconeecting the battery and reconecting. See if that does anything.

 

You just nailed it. If the anti-theft is flashing you need to yank the battery to reset the system. Should fire right up! Very odd the PATS system freaked out, though... if that is it, odds are the dealer won't have a clue how to fix it. Could be a PCM gremlin...

 

disconnected the battery waited five minutes, hooked it back up. No change, got juice everything works but turn the key and all i get is a clicking noise from the glove box

 

If the theft light comes on and blinks real fast and the same keys started it before, sounds like a CAN (control area network) problem. As far as the relay clicking when you try to turn the motor over, it very well could be the solenoid sticking, but to replace that it would take a whole new starter. Just my two cents.

 

IF it's a CAN problem is there anything I can do?? Or am I forced to have the truck loaded on a tow truck and taken back to Ford??

 

More than likely you will have to tow it, sounds like the CAN may have lost the memory for the PATS system, or it could be a glitch that may work it self out. There is a tranceiver halo that surrounds the ignition cylinder, try starting the vehicle with one key but hold the other spare PATS key next to the cylinder. It could be that the signal from the single PATS key is to weak but with both there may be enough to wake the system up. Honestly I dont know if this will work but it's worth a shot.

 

Used the wifes blow dryer inside the cab and under the dash. Now it started. Ford says to bring it in and they have a fix for it. They said they have to work on the reception of the PATS key, I guess i've got to buy a rechargeable blowdryer now to carry with me.

 

FYI the pats interface does not have anything to do with the can network, yes the hec module controls pats but whenever you have a pats issue with fast flashing theft light it just means that pats doesn't see you keys, either weak signal which is rare or lost programing.

and at -17 c my truck started with out being plugged in, hit my RMST button and she fired right away.

Mac.

 

Large metallic objects on your key ring or PATS keys for other Ford vehicles may interfere with the transponder signal as well.