you know that chip thing that you have to put in the slot to be able to start the engine? Well, i'm getting really annoyed with it, is there an easy way to get around that? thanks...

 

Is this an aftermarket anti-theft device maybe mounted under the dash ? If so, it is probably just a starter wire interrupt, More than likely you could pull the whole thing out and reconnect the starter wire at the steering column! Look for red/lt blue that runs up to the ignition/key cylinder. for most f150 97+ trucks.

If i'm wrong ... sorry... not much info to go on..

 

this didn't come with all of the '98 f150's? it's not aftermarket, it came like this off the dealership, my dad's not the kind of person that goes aftermarket anything... yeah, it is mounted under the dash.

 

You mean the PATS system? I don't know if there is a way around that. I've never had a 98, so it may be slightly different than my previous 2000 and my current 2002. I've never heard of a chip other than the one inside of the key that you need to start the start the engine.

 

Sounds wierd!? Never seen anything quite like what you are describing except on the shelves in Wal - Mart for 25$. PaulV is right, PATS is built into the truck - You'd never even know it's there except for the larger ignition key! You got me!!!

 

Do you have a picture for us?

 

i'll try to get one soon

 

i talked to my dad about it, he said it goes to the computer. apparently when the chip thing isn't in there, it cuts the ignition and fuel system.

 

Still no idea.... anyone else have this in their truck?

 

My friend used to have something that sounds like you what you've described in an Accord. It was there when he bought it used. It was basically a plug that went into a socket that looked something like the diagnostic port, and was mounted to the underside of the dash. It was what frostby described, just a starter interrupt, pull the plug, and no go... Never heard of any car manufacturers doing that though...

 

well i don't think this is just a wire interupt... he said it makes it impossible to steal it (hot wire it or anything) without putting a new computer in there... i dunno, he may be wrong, which is very possible. My uncle also has one in his '97, he bought his new as well O_o... I'll try to get a camera and take a picture of it.

 

did he purchase any type of alarm with the truck? or remote start system? it is possabily a dealer installed option. or even some gimick they use to up the price and tell you you need it to keep from having your truck stoled. but the pats key setup works so good there is really no need for aftermarket devices.

maybe take it back to that dealer and make them take it out. im sure if you look under drivers side of dash there is a ton of extra wires and some black boxes and relays mounted up under there with a bunch of tie straps and electrical tape.

to remove remote starts and alarms you have to cut every added wire off repair factory wiring and remove the black boxes hooked to them then usually reconnect the yellow wires under the steering column and remove the pats transponder they put in column to trick the pcm into thinking the key is in the ignition for remote start.

and let me guess its a lille flat square thing with a D hook on it so you can put a key ring on it?

is there any little blinking red LED's anywhere? or little toggle or push type switches under dash? and im not referring to the teft light on the instrument cluster

 

yeah, there's a blinking red led on it, and yeah, the thing has something for a key ring, but t's not square, but you're probably right...

 

definatly sound like some aftermarket unit got on that truck somehow, somewhere.

 

Noo its not aftermarket.. ford put those on 97's and 98's .. dont nkow about 99s but they werent alll that great so thats why they just have those bigass keys witht he chip built into the key...We have one on our 1997 f250 light duty truck.. ill get a picture tonight if posisble for u (i gotta get friends digicam) but most liklky its teh same stock one that i have.. Why dont u just leave the little security chip plugged into it? or is it not makin a good enough connection and messin up.. thats kinda what ours did.. so we just put it in there real good and left it.. illget pics... if u dont udnerstand what im talkin about...