PATS issue (who DOESN'T have one, LOL)

[mtblankus]

I'm having the whole PATS issue. Have read several threads, but nothing seems to match my situation. I have a 1997 Expedition, keyless entry with keychain remote, but no driver door keypad on the truck. PATS light flashes and cuts off fuel. Starter still engaging. Happens intermittently and with 2 different keys, each working sometimes and not others, so it's not the keys. I took it to the dealer, who said the only code they found was low voltage. Installed new battery. $300 and 2 weeks later, it happens again and leaves me and my 2 small kids stranded for 45 minutes with hubby at work 60 miles away.

Played with removing and replacing GEM fuse (#15). 2 out of 3 times, it started after removing and replacing this fuse WHILE KEY IN RUN POSITION.

But then it read the key and started fine many times after just trying over and over, too.

Seems more random than not, so I"m not sure the GEM fuse really did anything.

Any ideas? Dealer wants me to bring it back again Monday, but of course we have house guests in town this week and want to go somewhere and need this vehicle to fit everyone plus 2 car seats.

 

[FordandPolaris]

Do some searching on the windshield leak problem with these 1st gen trucks. The original shields would not seal properly and could let water drip onto the GEM module, causing all sorts of odd electrical problems. Good way to check is to feel your floor pan next time it rains or just run water from a hose over the windshield for 10 mins or so. I am pretty sure mine leaked before I had it replaced a couple of years ago, because I have seen some odd electrical things tied right to the GEM happen in my truck like the one-touch down going bad and my windshield wipers kind of doing whatever they want. Hope that helps point you in the right direction.


And I did see that you tried removing and replacing the GEM fuse, but it might be that the GEM itself needs to be replaced. Does the truck have any other electrical oddities to it?

 

[mtblankus]

There are actually spots of rust near the fuse panel, so that's likely the problem - the GEM. The only other strange electrical thing is the door ajar light staying on and interior lights stay on for a while sometimes. I told the dealer service guy, who said it was probably the part in the door needing oiled or cleaned, I can't remember which, something about a ball bearing switch or something. He didn't seem to think they were related. Do you know if the door ajar goes through the GEM?

 

[WSS1]

Just a thought.. I had the same symptoms (01) and found it to be a fuel pump. My "local" dealer sold me a new remote for big$$ and a week later same thing. An hour later it starts. Well one time it broke down away from home and we ended up at a more "truck" Ford dealer and while the service writer was talking with us, a mechanic pipes in that it is a fuel pump. I said it only happens when trying to start it and not intermittent when running. He said I would continue to have the trouble until we did the FP, he was right.

WSS1

 

[mtblankus]

Just a thought.. I had the same symptoms (01) and found it to be a fuel pump. My "local" dealer sold me a new remote for big$$ and a week later same thing. An hour later it starts. Well one time it broke down away from home and we ended up at a more "truck" Ford dealer and while the service writer was talking with us, a mechanic pipes in that it is a fuel pump. I said it only happens when trying to start it and not intermittent when running. He said I would continue to have the trouble until we did the FP, he was right.

WSS1

Was your anti-theft light blinking when it wouldn't start? This is the old style (1997) that actually has the light that says "THEFT" on the instrument panel and the word THEFT flashes when it won't start. I actually quit trying to start it after a few tries if the light flashes because I don't want to burn the starter out and it will turn over, but not run. I think it turns the fuel rail off when the PATS system is engaged.

 

[WSS1]

Sorry, it was five years ago. I cannot remember!

WSS1