My tale of woe: No crank, No start

[ToddW65]

Ok. Here's my story. 2001 XLT 5.4L. Pulled up to the my mailbox one night and the truck died like I'd turned the key off. No sputtering, just instantly died and wouldn't crank at all. I towed it up into my driveway where it sat while I went on vacation. Now I'm back and I really need my truck.

When I put the key in the ignition and turn to run, the chime dings like it's supposed to, the 4x4 light starts flashing slowly, the Door Ajar light comes on (yes, the door was open), but no gauges or other indicators. If I leave the key on, after about 45 seconds, the gauges come up to their normal positions, the Service Engine Soon and Temperature indicators come on, the Security light starts to flash rapidly, and the odometer shows all dashes. If I try to start the truck, nothing happens and the indicators all shut off again.

So far, I've checked the fuses, pulled the fuse box & GEM and checked for water and there was none. I brought the fb/gem inside and sat it on a furnace vent overnight just to be sure. I took the battery out and had it charged and tested even though it's new and it's good.

It does have a remote start/security system (Viper 550ESP) but when I disconnected it...no change in the symptoms.

I've only had the truck for six months and now it's in my yard off the driveway and I really miss it with this Ohio winter.

Any help at all would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Todd

 

[stamp11127]

First step in troubleshooting electrical problems is to verify the supply voltage with a good meter.

 

[Hit By Thunder]

Ya good old PATS system, if you say it is flashing rapidly, I would be going in that direction. Do you have another programmed key? ?

Also with remote starts, they usually tape a blank key with the transceiver. Check under the dash and see if you see a bundle of electrical tape under the steering column and area. That key may have gone bad........maybe, its worth a try as well.

 

[Mediamonkey11]

Yah, sounds like PATS

 

[ToddW65]

Well I'm happy and somewhat embarrassed to report that I found the problem after I half disassembled the dash....fuse 111 in the distribution box was blown. I'd swear I'd checked all the fuses before, but I'll blame on trying to work in sub-zero temps outside in a foot of snow. Strange that it caused the PATs-like symptom, but I'm just happy to have my truck back.

Thanks to all who replied.

Todd