ALARM RESET?

hi check all the door sensors make sure all doors are latching properly make sure the battery in the fob is good.replace the battery if you can,t remember when you replaced it.other then this you will need a scanner to dig further into the anti theft system. This guide will help you reset the system.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Please let us know what you find.

It starts goes off. the engine will not crank and The theft lights blinks faster will not start again. I love this site

the vehicles PCM (computer) is not recognizing the key. it needs to be plugged in to a Ford diagnostic computer or equivalent to locate the fault.

Lets try using this guide to disable the alarm system.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) contains a theft indicator, encoded ignition key, transceiver module, instrument cluster, power-train control module (PCM), Standard Corporate Protocol (SCP) communication network and starter relay. PATS uses radio frequency identification technology to deter drive-away theft. Passive means it does not require any activity from user. PATS uses specially encoded keys containing permanently installed transponders. Each transponder contains an identification code. Each replacement encoded ignition key must be programmed into instrument cluster before it is able to start engine. Encoded keys are larger than traditional keys, do not require batteries and should last lifetime of vehicle.

Transceiver module communicates with encoded ignition key and is located behind steering column cover. Transceiver module reads encoded key and sends data to instrument cluster during each vehicle start sequence. Instrument cluster initiates key interrogation sequence when vehicle ignition switch is turned to run or start position. PATS uses PCM to enable or disable engine. Instrument cluster and PCM have shared security data, making them a matched pair.

PATS also disables starter motor. If instrument cluster is removed from vehicle, engine will not start. Theft indicator will prove out for three seconds when ignition switch is turned to run or start position. If PATS is malfunctioning, theft light will flash rapidly or glow steadily. PATS theft indicator flashes every two seconds after ignition switch is turned to off to act as a visual theft deterrent. PATS will not store DTC or flash theft indicator if valid encoded ignition key is used and a failure occurs in starter relay circuit.

Ford Windstar 2000.
I started the car and the engine runs for two seconds and off it goes. I now replaced a new battery and the engine refuses to start again, the theft lights blinks faster than normal each time i try to crank the engine, but the car will not start.

Is there an after market immobilizer fitted? (the Ford immobilizer cuts starter motor function) it sounds like you are getting fuel at initial KEY ON (PCM initializes pump),but then the pump is not kicking in while cranking. you will need to check you are getting power and ground to the fuel pump while cranking.

Fuel pump monitor (models without fuel pump driver module).
The fuel pump monitor (FPM) circuit is spliced into the fuel pump power (fuel pump power) circuit and used by the PCM for diagnostic purposes. The PCM sources a low current voltage down the FPM circuit.
With fuel pump off, voltage is pulled low by the path to ground through the fuel pump. With fuel pump off and the FPM circuit low, the PCM can verify the FPM circuit and fuel pump power circuit are complete from the FPM splice through the fuel pump to ground. This confirms that the fuel pump power or FPM circuits are not shorted to power.
With the fuel pump on, voltage is supplied from the fuel pump relay to the fuel pump power and FPM circuits. With the fuel pump on and FPM circuit high, PCM can verify fuel pump power circuit from fuel pump relay to FPM splice is complete. It can also verify that fuel pump relay contacts are closed and battery voltage is supplied to fuel pump relay.
Fuel pump monitor (models with fuel pump driver module).
The fuel pump driver module (FPDM) communicates diagnostic information to the PCM through the fuel pump monitor (FPM) circuit. This information is sent to the PCM as a duty cycle signal. PCM uses this signal to verify FPDM is powered and able to communicate on the FPM circuit.

I have been using the car for two years plus. I do not think there is after market immobilizer, but is it possible for me to get rid of the security system in the car? it has become every day issues with the theft light problem, after it has been solve it keeps on re-occurring. could it be eliminated?

It is not possible to remove or disable the PATS (immobilizer) system, it is built into the PCM (computer) and therefore cannot be removed.

where can we locate the interloper and by pass it and start the car?

you cannot bypass the immobilizer, it is controlled by the PCM (computer). it will need to be plugged into a Ford diagnostic computer or equivalent scantool,but the immobilizer cuts starter motor operation. f the car is cranking then your fault is not in the immobilizer.

I replace a new battery that causes the theft light to flash very fast and the car will not start.

is the car/van turning over and not firing up (cranking)? or is it totally out (dash light's on but nothing else)? let me know.

All lights in the dash board is on, but engine will not crank.

Okay, as previously stated, the immobilizer is now keeping the car from starting. this needs to be reset via Ford's diagnostic scantool or equivalent. the PCM is not getting the correct signal from the key. there is no way of bypassing this system. when cranking check if you are getting twelve volts to the starter motor B+ terminal?

door ajar alarm keeps going off on ford windstar 2000

Check the door switch to make sure it isn't sticking. I believe the swith is in the latch assembly on your vehicle. Also, check for bad body grounds.

I have a 2000 Windstar which recently went into a 'no start' mode. Went from several tries to start, short starter tries, to no start. Hooked up my craftsman OBD2 tool and went to enhanced DTC's mode and then KOER (engine running) and hit starter. car starts right up every time. Disengage OBD tool, no start. Only have one key, used car, only one key. Is it the key or something else?

Part of the plastic of one of my keys busted that has the chip that starts the Windstar. The chip fell out and I only have 1 working key which is a pain. I live in a rural area where I am not too concerned about anybody stealing this vehicle and I am wondering what fuse would disable the theft alarm and then would the key work without the chip? Or is there another way I can get this key to work? I really need two keys for this vehicle without having to reprogram if at all possible!

Hi,

I have been reading the section on the anti theft system on your car, and from what is in Mitchell 1 there is not a disable that can be done, they start that all systems must be operational or the car will not start, There is a fuse in the junction box on the left side of the engine bay, Fuse No 20 15 Amp, this sis the fuse for the passive theft system, i would doubt very much that this will work, it sounds to simple, but wort a try, pull it and see if the car will work on the key, otherwise there may be a dealer fix for this, something that they keep in house, as it is a security system, they won't be advertising how to bypass it, that i am sure, and failing all that you may have to get a key sorted.

mark (mhpautos)

Van has new battery. Now theft light won't stop flashing and van won't start. Not even cranking. How do I reset it?

Hello,

The security system has been activated with the battery change. Remove the battery cable for 60 minutes. Then reconnect the battery and lock and unlock the car using the remote and the car should start.

If not do a hard reset of the system by touching the negative battery cable to the positive post for five minutes this will discharge the system capacitors and force a reset.

Here is what the book has to say about the system reset

The security access procedure is utilized to obtain Passive Anti-theft System (PATS) security access. PATS security access must be granted to erase ignition keys, enable/disable the spare key programming switch or perform parameter resets for the instrument cluster. The security access procedure invokes an inherent 10 minute time delay prior to granting security access during which scan tool must remain connected to the vehicle. Once security access has been granted, a security access command menu is displayed that offers various command options (refer to PATS Configuration Command Index).

Select only the commands required by the appropriate pinpoint test.
From scan tool: Using the Ford Service Function (FSF) card, select the appropriate instrument cluster. Enter SECURITY ACCESS PROCEDURE. This procedure will take 10 minutes to perform, during which the ignition switch must be in RUN and the scan tool must be connected to the vehicle.

After the 10-minute security access procedure has been completed, a new menu will be displayed with command options. Select only those functions required before exiting out of this menu. Once exited out of this menu, the security access procedure must be performed again to perform additional commands.


NOTE:

Security access must be granted to erase ignition keys, enable/disable spare key programming switch, or perform parameter resets for instrument cluster and PCM. This procedure has a 10-minute time delay prior to granting security access during which the New Generation Star (NGS) tester must remain connected to vehicle. After security access has been granted, security access command menu is displayed which offers various command options. Multiple security access commands can be executed (if necessary) prior to exiting security access command menu. Execution of all necessary security access commands prior to exiting command menu avoids the performance of an additional security access procedure and the associated 10-minute time delay.

Insert Ford Service Function (FSF) card into NGS tester. Turn ignition switch from OFF to RUN position. With NGS tester connected to vehicle, enter instrument cluster then select SECURITY ACCESS PROCEDURE. This procedure will take 10 minutes to perform. After the security access procedure has been completed, a new menu will be displayed with command options. Select as many functions as required before exiting this menu. Once this menu is exited, security access procedure must be performed again to perform additional commands.

The PATS system is a little quirky so you might have to mess with it a little. Keep disconnecting the battery to reboot the system.

If this doesn't work then you will need to take it to the dealer or a shop to have it reprogrammed for about $120.00

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken

No start problem -fixed!!!
Solved the problem of my 2005 Ford Freestar motor not turning over with no apparent cause. Among other possible causes, my anti-theft system locked my motor up (or prevented my starter from engaging the motor) after my battery ran dead and had to be replaced.

The FIX is THIS - make sure the hood is closed (incase it has a sensor), close all the doors, lock the doors with the remote lock, and then start the car with the remote starter. The 1st time it tried to turn over and start but couldn't and made a loud noise. That worried me. But after that, it tried to start again (on it's own, I didn't push the remote start again) no loud noise that time, but still couldn't start when turning over. It tried on its own to start a 3rd time and stared right up, no problem. I unlocked the driver door with the key (not remote), put key in ignition and turned to on, engaged the brake to disconnect the remote, turned the van off, then started it back up with the key in the ignition and it started right up again with no problem. Working just fine since.

I hope this works for someone else who has this problem. This was the 2nd time for me AFTER I ended up replacing the motor the 1st time. So pissed that Ford cost me that money and inconvenience. This anti-theft system is seriously flawed.

Great addition to this thread! Please feel free to help out whenever you are on the site :) I would check the battery connecting because it sounds like they are dirty/loose. Here is a guide that can help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Cheers, Ken

I drilled out my ignition and now it won't start how can I locate the anti theft devices wiring so I can cut it

I'm confused on why you would drill out your ignition costing you more money instead of getting a replacement key?