1994-2004 V-6 3.8 and 3.9L V6 Mustangs

passive anti theft system

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Old May 12, 2006 | 12:07 PM
  #2  
mudshuvel319's Avatar
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I believe what you are referring to is the ignition key system. The reason the igniton key has such a large base (and costs $60-$100!) is that it has a chip in it that has to be programmed specifically to your car. You can make a copy of the key without the chipped base and use it to unlock the doors, but to actually start the car, the programmed key is needed. I assume this is the feature you're talking about. It's not an audible alarm system or anything, and doesn’t protect your car from break-in. It just makes it more difficult to start the car. Hope this helps.
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Old May 12, 2006 | 01:05 PM
  #4  
jgsmuzzy's Avatar
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there is a chip in your key as Mudshuvel says. The passive anti theft is exactly as he stated. An immobiliser without an alarm system. People can still break into your car, but will find it difficult to steal it.

Hence the "Passive" rather than "Active" (which would have an alarm)
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Old May 16, 2006 | 04:08 PM
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Ballz's Avatar
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AAaaw! I always wondered if it did any thing! Not to bad but not to great either.
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Old May 16, 2006 | 06:16 PM
  #6  
mudshuvel319's Avatar
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Originally Posted by Ballz
AAaaw! I always wondered if it did any thing! Not to bad but not to great either.
Glad to help!

It's effective enough that Ford has used the same basic technology for the past decade.
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Old Jun 1, 2006 | 05:37 PM
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MY05GT's Avatar
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The 95s did not have PATS keys, at least my 95 Cobra and a friends 94 Cobra do not. My Cobra key is normal ford black plastic coated head and my wifes set has plain metal, no plastic.
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Old Jun 2, 2006 | 08:19 AM
  #8  
mudshuvel319's Avatar
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Sorry for the mistake, but what I described is the Pasive Theft device. If that's not available on the 1995 Mustang, then I don’t know what the first post was referring to.
The programmed key is definitely on '96s, so I guess that was the first year they did it.
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Old Jun 2, 2006 | 10:22 AM
  #9  
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I believe '96 was the first year for the PATS key. As far as nikbait's car goes I think that was Ford's theft deterrent system. If you put the window down and wait for a minute then reach in and open the door the horn will blow and the lights will flash. I know that's one way to check it without breaking any windows.
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Old Jul 1, 2006 | 03:19 PM
  #10  
codeman94's Avatar
 
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Originally Posted by Redbaron93
If you put the window down and wait for a minute then reach in and open the door the horn will blow and the lights will flash. I know that's one way to check it without breaking any windows.
This works with cars that have the PATS?
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Old Jul 29, 2006 | 02:12 PM
  #11  
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Problem with PATS

I have a 2002 3.8 'vert. It stalled in traffic yesterday and I was able to re-start it and get home. It does not start now though. The theft light is flashing and the engine cranks but doesn't light. I have disconnected the battery, tried the alternate key, done the instument diagnostics, checked the PCM connection and after reading various posts it seems this is a PATS tranciever or a key programming problem. Has this occured to anybody here and what did it ultimately turn out to be? Has this problem masked other probelems such as fuel system or igniotion?

Thanks for rthe help.
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Old Jul 29, 2006 | 02:28 PM
  #12  
Zastava_101's Avatar
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Originally Posted by sandor06gt
I have a 2002 3.8 'vert. It stalled in traffic yesterday and I was able to re-start it and get home. It does not start now though. The theft light is flashing and the engine cranks but doesn't light. I have disconnected the battery, tried the alternate key, done the instument diagnostics, checked the PCM connection and after reading various posts it seems this is a PATS tranciever or a key programming problem. Has this occured to anybody here and what did it ultimately turn out to be? Has this problem masked other probelems such as fuel system or igniotion?

Thanks for rthe help.
Yeah, I had same problem on my '00 Mustang V6 few years ago at ~20,000 miles, but I can't remember what the problem was. I had to tow my car to Ford dealer and it costed me around $300 to get it fix.
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Old Jul 29, 2006 | 05:59 PM
  #13  
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Would a reflash help with this problem? It probably wouldnt but you never know right?
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 04:58 PM
  #14  
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hey i know where you guys are coming from, my dad has a ford f150 with the same system, one time i tried starting it with a spare key, that didnt have a chip, it started but wouldnt go into gear, then when i turned the truck off, the key wouldnt come out of the ignition, we got it out after we used the remote to lock and unlock the doors a couple of times, but it was rather annoying, which is probally what ford ment for this system to be
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