NEW ISSUE - Not sure if PATS or not. The PATS lights are functioning properly.
A couple of weeks ago, I had intermittent no crank symptoms. Turn the key, nothing (however all lights, fan, other "ON" functions fine). The first few events I'd simply turn the key back off, then back on and it would crank fine. One time, I had to cycle the gear shifter - after that it started. Later, nothing would work (didn't think of trying the 2nd key). My guess was the relay, but not worth messing with. Had a local shop scheduled for 100K stuff (coolant, serpentine belt and plugs) so I asked him to check it out. The day before the appt - it cranked and started - I drove to the shop and left it (no repeat while there). The battery is months old; all checked out fine to him. He replaced with Motorcraft (per my request) - they only had rebuilds (arghh). This was Monday a week ago. It's been fine since. I have the old starter.
Yesterday away from the house first crank nothing, 2nd crank fine. I made another stop for lunch. After lunch came home. Today I went to start - first try started cranking then after perhaps 1 second (no change in key position) cranking stopped (before it lit off and ran). That was a few hours ago. Since then I've checked out the PATs lights. With both keys all systems fine - no crank. All other functions are perfect. Per the above note, I pulled and reinserted the 5A PATS fuse. No change. Nothing - shifter cycling does nothing, multiple key cycles nothing.
At this point since I think PATS is fine, I wish to install a jumper wire with a pushbutton that I can run inside. It's wet outside now (truck in driveway - I was about to put it in my garage with lift!). Does anyone know the routing of the start wire that connects to the starter (not the line high amp voltage, but the 12V lead that is the crank signal from keyswitch, through shifterswitch as enabled via PATS). I want to run from the battery to a pushbutton then to the relay wire and test.
Any input? Thanks!