I recently purchased a 1998 F-150 5.4L. In the glovebox I found a black device that is approximately the size of two packs of gum. It has six gold connectors on one end, and has what looks like a buzzer or something similar in one corner opposite the connectors.I finally located where to plug it in under my dash by the steering column. When I plug it in, all that happens is that I can no longer start my truck. All of the electrical comes on, but the starter doesn't even attempt to crank. If I remove it, it fires right up. I have had multiple opinions on what it might be , but none of them correct thus far.

Please help.

 

Could it be the plug-in for electric trailer brakes?

 

I can't imagine it is. Why would it keep the truck from starting?

I just opened the box and found the name "GnuCo Technology Corp" on the circuit board. A search says they manufacture RFID devices. There is a name on the "buzzer" that says muRata. Does any of this mean anything to anybody?

 

OK, I am convinced, after doing some research, that the box is the receiver of a Passive Anti-theft System (PATS). Were PATS installed standard in 1998 models? Where can I get a key with the chip inside? It seems like a fairly rediculous system if it can be deactivated so easily.