Passive Anti Theft System. I know there were some posts a few months ago about people having problems with this system. My truck has left me stranded twice this week because it decided it did not like my key anymore. Both times after about 30 min it decided the key was OK. Today my son missed hockey practice because of this. If anyone had this problem and got it resolved please let me know what the cure was (disable PATS?). Getting stranded is one problem I will not accept from a vehicle with onlt 10k on it!!
Thanks for any info.
Jeff

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1999 F-150 Lariat 4X2
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55ls
Deep Wedgwood Blue/Silver
Lund Interceptor hood shield
VentVisors
Class III hitch
Ford molded mud guards
Soft tonneau cover
Factory CD with changer (thanks Dusty)
Tinted windows
Factory fog light kit

http://www.fortunecity.com/silversto...ton54home.html

 

You could try reprogramming the key, the instructions are in the owners manual. You will need both of the original keys.

Hobbit

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99 XLT,4.6L Auto,4X4,tow pkge,Factory Nerf Bars and Mudflaps, K&N filter,BugflectorII, Amazon Green/Silver, Pace Edwards Rolltop Cover, maybe a Superchip

 

I'd get a new key. The chip in the key could be bad. Is it a Ford key, or an after market key. Ford recommends only Curtis, Ilco, Strattec keys. Any other key will give problems like you describe. I'd pull the lower half of the steering column and make sure the antenna around the key cylinder is attached. But I would try a new key, and if it seems to work, throw the bad one in the garbage. Hope this helps. If all else fails, you still got your 3/36 warranty.

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1997 F-150, 4.6, automatic, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Towing Package, Ford hvy dty rubber floor mats, Kenwood 10-disk cd changer, Kenwood am/fm cassette head unit, Ford bugshield, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar with 2 KC 100w Daylighters, Ventshades, Ford bedliner, Lund Premier tonneau cover, cab and bed professionally undercoated, Code Alarm Sure Start RVS remote starter, Ford alarm, Realistic CB with Wilson Little Wil antenna and Astatic power mic, ported MAF sensor, and Lots of TLC!! (Besides being an F-150 nut, I am a Ford auto technician.)

 

Oh, and if you have a remote starter, they might have wired up the pats override wrong, causing the pats module to see 2 keys sometimes, in which it won't start.

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1997 F-150, 4.6, automatic, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Towing Package, Ford hvy dty rubber floor mats, Kenwood 10-disk cd changer, Kenwood am/fm cassette head unit, Ford bugshield, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar with 2 KC 100w Daylighters, Ventshades, Ford bedliner, Lund Premier tonneau cover, cab and bed professionally undercoated, Code Alarm Sure Start RVS remote starter, Ford alarm, Realistic CB with Wilson Little Wil antenna and Astatic power mic, ported MAF sensor, and Lots of TLC!! (Besides being an F-150 nut, I am a Ford auto technician.)

 

I'll first say I must retract my accusation of PATS for know, apparently the dealer found a bad connection on the starter. Do not have the truck back yet, so the verdict is still out. I do have three keys, the two originals and a third bought from and programmed by my dealer. I tried all three keys the first time it happened, the only thing that worked was waiting. I hope the bad connection on the starter was it, thanks for the advice. I'll have to start carrying a spare key with me from now on just in case it is a bad key.
Jeff

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1999 F-150 Lariat 4X2
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55ls
Deep Wedgwood Blue/Silver
Lund Interceptor hood shield
VentVisors
Class III hitch
Ford molded mud guards
Soft tonneau cover
Factory CD with changer (thanks Dusty)
Tinted windows
Factory fog light kit

http://www.fortunecity.com/silversto...ton54home.html

 

If it is a bad key, you'll have to wait a few minutes before trying the new key. If you try to use a "bad" key, it will disable the system for a short while, even if you put a good key in. Just wait a minute or two before retrying with the other keys.

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1997 F-150, 4.6, automatic, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Towing Package, Ford hvy dty rubber floor mats, Kenwood 10-disk cd changer, Kenwood am/fm cassette head unit, Ford bugshield, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar with 2 KC 100w Daylighters, Ventshades, Ford bedliner, Lund Premier tonneau cover, cab and bed professionally undercoated, Code Alarm Sure Start RVS remote starter, Ford alarm, Realistic CB with Wilson Little Wil antenna and Astatic power mic, ported MAF sensor, and Lots of TLC!! (Besides being an F-150 nut, I am a Ford auto technician.)