Help PATS left me stranded!

[Drae]

Does anyone know how to reset the PATS on these trucks? I have a 2010 that just wigged out on me. I was at the lake and my keys got wet so I took the (all in one) fob and key apart to dry it out. I went to unlock the truck just using the key because the fob wasn't working yet and the alarm started chirping so I tried to close the door and lock and unlock and nothing. I tried the ignition and nothing. The horn finally stopped but the flashers were still on and the security light is on also. The flashers eventually go off but that Security light won't go away with the key in or out. The fob was already rigged together from the previous owner and it's the only one I have. The circuit board got screwed up because the contacts where the buttons press came apart. It has little chrome caps and orange caps that go over the contact and all but one chrome cap is now missing. I have to use it for the lock and unlock button to get it to work. I locked and unlocked the truck using the fob this way multiple times and even waited for a while and nothing gives. I just ended up getting a ride home as the lake is over an hour away and plan to tow it to the Ford dealership tomorrow unless one of you guys can save my ass before then. It is an XLT with basic options. I don't have the Forscan or anything.

 

[Cookieman00x]

I believe you can leave the key in the on position for some period of time to get the theft to stop flashing.

 

[stamp11127]

Nope, the PATS has to recognize a code from the key that has been programmed into memory. Since yours has taken a bath it is faster to have the dealer reprogram new keys - and it isn't going to cheap.

 

[Drae]

Yeah I had a quote a little while back of just under $300 for a new programmed key from Ford. Ridiculous! Can the key still be unrecognizable to the car but the fob still controls it? It still lock, unlock, pop the hatch and the panic button still works. The fob is damaged though and I read that might be an issue.

 

[Drae]

I believe you can leave the key in the on position for some period of time to get the theft to stop flashing.

I tried the key on for 45 seconds until it stops flashing fast then off then again for 15 seconds then try to start with no success. I'm just gonna have to bite the Ford Bullet on this one it seems.

 

[1955moose]

What happened to your spare chip key? Vehicles come with 2. When I go to my Gym, I leave my chip key, and grab my valet key, non chip, just to open door, my key pad on door is wonky. I wouldn't want to lose or damage the chip one. Pass key was $2.00, chip key $ 300.00, no brainer!

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[stamp11127]

Don't feel so bad, my Mini Cooper project car only has one key also. Need a spare, go to any MINI dealer and they will be more than happy to order one for you - from Germany - tied to the vin.

 

[1955moose]

Hey Stamp, I don't know if your mini is like my Expy, but I got a second chip key made at Ace hardware. They only needed the one key to chip my second. I keep it as a backup, but 2 years later, it still works. Yours probably has a different system, but you might shoot by a store next time you need hardware or paint.

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[Trainmaster]

The PATS key has a tuned coil in it that is encased in a glass tube. It should be waterproof. The pushbuttons and battery in the key/fob should have nothing to do with the car's ability to start. The coil in the PATS system is passive. It uses no power.

 

[stamp11127]

Out of luck on the MINI, has to come from Germany. I've searched and found many stories where owners tried the aftermarket route just to have a key that will only unlock/lock the doors. Found a dealer in Mass. that I can get it at the lowest cost of all of them. Just a cost of doing business.

 

[1955moose]

What was it that Volkswagen used to say, farfeknugen! We won back in 1945, their winning ever since!

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[Drae]

What happened to your spare chip key? Vehicles come with 2. When I go to my Gym, I leave my chip key, and grab my valet key, non chip, just to open door, my key pad on door is wonky. I wouldn't want to lose or damage the chip one. Pass key was $2.00, chip key $ 300.00, no brainer!

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

I bought it used last November and it only came with one key. It all started when I unlocked the car with the key because I don't know the door code either. After that the truck was pissed and nothing I did worked.

The PATS key has a tuned coil in it that is encased in a glass tube. It should be waterproof. The pushbuttons and battery in the key/fob should have nothing to do with the car's ability to start. The coil in the PATS system is passive. It uses no power.

Yeah I don't think it being wet was the issue because I eventually got the fob working. I think when I tried to disable the alarm by putting the key in the door and ignition is when it shut down and wouldn't allow me to start. It won't crank over like the older Expeditions. It was just silence and I could here the relay when I turned the key to start it. It's at the dealer here in Anchorage now so I will find out the quote some time tomorrow.

 

[Cdunn08]

Try Car Key Express I use them for my work and they are able to program keys for a lot cheaper and they come to you. I have had a BMW key fob made and programed. It think its half the price !

 

[Drae]

Try Car Key Express I use them for my work and they are able to program keys for a lot cheaper and they come to you. I have had a BMW key fob made and programed. It think its half the price !

They are not in Anchorage at this time.

 

[CoryBrown50]

COMPLETELY side topic....I understand your pain on the Mini key....got in 1 morning with the fob and tried to start it, was like there was a starter interrupt installed or something....best deal I could find was here: https://thebmwminipartstore.com/

$140 2 years ago.....without valet key, as mine was still there.

Lucky for me, they are local......

On the truck, I agree, if you are getting FOB wet often, have a duplicate non RFID made and hide the expensive key inside. We go to the water park regularly and this is the best way.

 

[1955moose]

Drae, what I can't wrap my head around is how putting a valet, non chip key in a door could activate the pats system. I do it daily when I go to my gym. Mine is 2000, did they change something on newer models. The door shouldn't have any electronics related to the security system, am I wrong guys? Does the key tumbler in the door recognize the chip? It would make sense. But what about when a tow truck driver uses a slim Jim to open the door. Does the pats activate?

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[rjdelp7]

Your RFID chip is sealed in plastic, your door remote is not. Try starting without unlocking doors, prior. If theft is flashing re-insert key, the opposite way. If still flashing wait 10 minutes and retry. Most key shops will "make" a new second key for around $70. I had a local, mobile key man do it in my driveway. The previous owner also lost the spare.

 

[Drae]

Drae, what I can't wrap my head around is how putting a valet, non chip key in a door could activate the pats system. I do it daily when I go to my gym. Mine is 2000, did they change something on newer models. The door shouldn't have any electronics related to the security system, am I wrong guys? Does the key tumbler in the door recognize the chip? It would make sense. But what about when a tow truck driver uses a slim Jim to open the door. Does the pats activate?

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

It wasn't the Valet key it was the chip key. It was wet and the buttons wouldn't work to open the doors. I had to dry it out more after I unlocked the door with the key to get it to work. This is when the contacts for the buttons got mangled. I'm guessing since the fob wasn't working the truck didn't recognize the key. When I tried to start it when the alarm was still going off, I assume that's when the truck went into protect mode. Well $423 later and I now have 2 new keys and the code reset for the door and it's all fine like nothing happened. $155 a key wasn't terrible for the turnaround time. Just another expensive lesson learned in my life.

 

[rjdelp7]

I had H3 Hummer, that would not start. The theft light was flashing. ONSTAR, offered a tow. A few minutes later it started. I was told key was not recognized(bad key) and anti theft activated, after several tries.The system reset on its own after 10 minutes. I think your fob actived your anti theft. The key may be still good.

 

[Drae]

I had H3 Hummer, that would not start. The theft light was flashing. ONSTAR, offered a tow. A few minutes later it started. I was told key was not recognized(bad key) and anti theft activated, after several tries.The system reset on its own after 10 minutes. I think your fob actived your anti theft. The key may be still good.

LOL if you would've seen this key you wouldn't think it was good from the start. The previous owner drilled a hole through the key blade and the fob where they come together and had a nut and bolt in it to hold them together. I'm surprised it lasted this long. I had to take all this apart to dry out the key fob and may have damaged the key and fob to where it wouldn't work together anymore. I would have replaced it a long time ago if I knew they would give me 2 keys for $310 vs 1 key for $299.