Truck won't start. PCM? Anti-Theft? Chipkey? Help!


Slartibartfast

10+ Year Member

Joined
Sep 2, 2010
Messages
2
Points
3,001
Vehicle Year
2004
Transmission
Manual
Hello everyone!

Right, into business.

I have an '04 Ranger XLT, stock. The truck won't start. This issue is not mechanical, and it isn't the battery. (Checked with voltmeter).

When I put the key to the "on" position, the anti theft light will blink continuously and when I try to start the engine, nothing happens. When I say nothing, I mean the starter isn't even told to turn the engine; no sounds whatsoever.

I have got the truck to start by turning the key on and removing the PCM fuse (Square pink one) and putting it back in; the anti-theft light will stop blinking and the car starts up just fine, no mechanical problems. However, this doesn't seem to work all the time.

Now, I think it may be one of two things: One, the chip key, and two, something to do with the PCM. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
 
Do you have another key to try it with?

If someone brought that to me at the shop first I'd check the PATS antenna, then I'd check the wiring, try wiping and re-programming the keys, then if that didn't help, prolly throw a PCM at in.
 
Slartibartfast said:
Hello everyone!

Right, into business.

I have an '04 Ranger XLT, stock. The truck won't start. This issue is not mechanical, and it isn't the battery. (Checked with voltmeter).

When I put the key to the "on" position, the anti theft light will blink continuously and when I try to start the engine, nothing happens. When I say nothing, I mean the starter isn't even told to turn the engine; no sounds whatsoever.

I have got the truck to start by turning the key on and removing the PCM fuse (Square pink one) and putting it back in; the anti-theft light will stop blinking and the car starts up just fine, no mechanical problems. However, this doesn't seem to work all the time.

Now, I think it may be one of two things: One, the chip key, and two, something to do with the PCM. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Shouldn't you be designing a planet?

I'm with ad - if you have another known-good key, try it. If it starts, problem solved. If not, PCM.
 
If playing with the fuse helps sometimes, I'd try putting a brand new fuse in with a lil dab of dielectric grease on the tabs. Just because a fuse isn't blown doesn't mean that it's not really doing it's job anymore. I had that happen with our one machine, couldn't get it to start, checked everything and couldn't find the problem. Pulled the one fuse and checked it and it looked fine. Had an equipment mechanic come out, he checked things over, pulled the fuse, put a dab of grease on a new one an stuck it in, and yep, it ran.

Then I'd try cleaning the keys and try another key and move up the ladder.
 
Thanks for the replies, everyone.

Fuse- I'm not sure it's the fuse, because a friend of mine with the same model ranger switched his in, no go. His car worked with mine as well.

Key - I do have another key, however it is back home. (I'm in college). Is there a proper way to clean a key? Or should I just rinse with water?

Thanks for the replies!

And P.S. - I'm much happier just working on fjords :icon_thumby:
 
Cleaning the key won't help. The PATS keys aren't like the GM resistor-chip security keys. There is a small micro-chip encoded with a specific ID #. When they chip gets close enough to the PATS antenna the signal coming out from the antenna energizes the chip and receives the signal from the chip, if it's valid it starts, if it isn't, it doesn't.

Do you have a lot of other keys or large metal objects (carabiener, bottle openers, etc) on your key ring? Those can interfere too.
 
Sorry about resurrecting an old thread. I'm having a similar problem. I've noticed my check engine light does not illuminate and I get a pats code 16 during the malfunction. I've got to get this fixed before my elk hunt. Ecm relay and fuel relays check out ok. I was able to duplicate the problem by striking and resetting the inertia switch but I can't anymore. Thanks! 99 3.0 flex fuel 2x4
 
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