I have a question of all you 2001 XLT owners, the manual states that the thief light will flash every two/three seconds once the system is armed. I'm assuming that by pressing the lock button twice on my remote control and hearing the horn beep...my alarm system is active. My problem is that my thief light never flashes. I took it to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the light is not suppose to flash with the passive system, only with an optional upgraded factory installed anti-thief system. So who's right..... the mechanic or the manual.

Thanks
Don

 

My theft light starts flashing as soon as I turn the ignition off.
As the manual states...
_________
Automatic arming
The vehicle is armed immediately after switching the ignition to the 3 (OFF) position. The THEFT light in the instrument cluster will flash every two seconds when the vehicle is armed.

Automatic disarming
Switching the ignition to the 4 (ON) position with a coded key disarms the vehicle. The THEFT light will illuminate for three seconds and then go out. If the THEFT light stays on for an extended period of time or flashes rapidly, have the system serviced by your dealership or a qualified technician.
_________


Tell your dealer that you want to speak to a "qualified technician" like the owners manual recomends.

 

dnaber,

01sport is right. The "technician" is full of it.

I don't have the factory alarm but I do have the PATS. They are not the same thing. I'm not sure how the theft light operates when you add the factory alarm.

In addition... I had a spare key cut and tried to start the truck before programming it, the theft light flashed rapidly and the truck would crank but not start.

Once I programmed it it worked fine.

 

You only need to lock the doors once... honking the horn is not necessary to arm the system. But, if I were you, I'd look REAL close at the theft light... in the dark. Mine works... just can't hardly see it if any light is present... the 'flash' is miniscule.

 

On my 2000 HD truck, the flashing light is very dim. I think they decided to make it brighter as on my 2001 Mountaineer, it flashes much more brightly. Same PATS system, just a difference in the dash light blinking.

FWIW.

 

Well, first off thanks for all the great input!!! Secondly, Ford Customer Assistance sucks! With all the info. you folks provided I thought I would check one last place before confronting the service manager with the issue. I decided to call Ford Customer Assistance line "BIG MISTAKE". Those stupid folks after I explanied my situation that I just wanted Fords view on the problem, they turn around and call the service manager at the dealership that I was just at. And of course they get the same answer. I told them that if I had wanted to hear from that same dealer I would have called. They stated that they are only allowed to talk to the dealership in question. I told them that, that was the most stupid thing I have ever head of. I asked if there was an engineer that I could speak with and was told no. I then politely told the ford rep to make note of our decussion and hung up. I guess my next step will be to go down to another local dealership and take a look at one of the new 2001 on their lot and check to see if their work.

I sure hate this stuff. Why do they make it so hard for customers to get resolution to problems. I wonder if any of Fords management have to go through this type of crap. I know this is just a little thing, but it is so typical of the way Ford treats thier customers. I mean if the PAT's system is not suppose to flash then it should not state that it should in the manual.

Guy's, thanks for listening to me vent.

Don

 

Here's how the system works:

PATS (Passive Ant-Theft) - this is the coded key system and is installed on all F150s as standard equipment (since about 1997?). This is the ONLY system that interacts with the THEFT light in your instrument cluster. The THEFT light flashes when ignition is OFF, indicating that the vehicle is protected from _drive-away_ and a coded key is needed to start the engine. The THEFT light also will come on for 3 seconds when you turn the key to RUN. If there is a problem with the key or the PATS system the THEFT light will flash rapidly. THIS IS NOT AN ALARM SYSTEM.

Current model F150s DO NOT have a factory-installed alarm system (i.e. a Perimeter Alarm) although some dealers install Ford aftermarket systems that typically include alarm and remote start. How to test if your truck has an alarm system: leave your window down and lock your vehicle from the remote transmitter. After a minute, reach in and open the door......

The honk you get from pushing the LOCK button twice on your remote transmitter simply tells you that the vehicle is locked and all doors are closed. If a door is ajar, you will get two honks. If your dealer installed a Ford aftermarket alarm, then your remote tranmitters are different and may act differently (i.e. they will arm the aftermarket alarm)

Hopefully this clears up some confusion - and yes, the dealer tech is wrong on this one.

 

Bushman hit the nail on the head--except PATS systems were not used in F-150's until 99.

Matt

 

On my 99, the light flashes when I turn off the key and flashes every few seconds after that. I have the PATS and no alarm.
FYI....get spare keys BEFORE your wife loses one of the 2 originals!!!!!!! Reprogramming the PATS for new keys is expensive!!! The system requires TWO keys to program the third.