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1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem


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CaroleM
Novice

Jul 10, 2012, 5:06 PM

Post #1 of 16 (6896 views)
1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

1999 Ford F250: Initially, the key would not turn. Starter switch was removed. Tried to start truck with a screwdriver. Truck will turn over, but not start. We think it is something with the security system. Is there a way to bypass this or some other solution? This is a regular key, not one that shows a visible chip.

Thanks for the help! - trying to get truck working so wife can take car for family emergency.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 10, 2012, 5:22 PM

Post #2 of 16 (6888 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

Nope, you can't bypass the system. It has to be functional.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



CaroleM
Novice

Jul 10, 2012, 5:25 PM

Post #3 of 16 (6881 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

If it cannot be bypassed, does the ignition system have to be replaced entirely? Any and all info on this would be really appreciated. Thanks!


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 10, 2012, 5:28 PM

Post #4 of 16 (6872 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

The ignition lock has to be replaced and the keys have to be programmed at the dealer or a well equipped locksmith.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jul 10, 2012, 5:29 PM)


CaroleM
Novice

Jul 10, 2012, 5:35 PM

Post #5 of 16 (6857 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

Just to clarify, the key does not appear to have a chip in it (unless it's possible to be in the metal itself?) as there is no plastic handle on the key. Is a chip inside the key still possible?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 10, 2012, 5:37 PM

Post #6 of 16 (6852 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

Do you have a security light on or flashing when you try to start it?



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



CaroleM
Novice

Jul 10, 2012, 5:45 PM

Post #7 of 16 (6844 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

Yes, the security light is on and flashing. The key was getting "sticky" and a friend with more experience said to just leave it in the ignition to prevent exactly what happened. Smile

Today, key was absentmindedly removed and when key was re-inserted it would not turn no matter what, including wiggling the wheel. My friend came by and removed the ignition switch (which was very difficult) and tried starting the car with a screwdriver into the steering column. The car would crank (like you see on TV), but would not ignite.

We're stuck at this point, not even sure what exactly needs replaced. Truck is off road, but not near a repair shop.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 10, 2012, 5:48 PM

Post #8 of 16 (6839 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

I don't know why that key doesn't have a plastic cover.




The Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) contains the following components:
  • theft indicator
  • encoded ignition key
  • transceiver module
  • instrument cluster
  • Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
  • Standard Corperate Protocol (SCP) communication network

The PATS uses radio frequency identification technology to deter a driveaway theft. Passive means that it does not require any activity from the user. This system is known as SecuriLock(R) in North America, Safeguard(R) in the U.K. and PATS in continental Europe. This information can be found in owners literature.

The PATS uses a specially encoded ignition key. Each encoded ignition key contains a permanently installed electronic device called a transponder. Each transponder contains a unique electronic identification code, with over 72 million billion combinations.

Each encoded ignition key must be programmed into the vehicle's instrument cluster (the instrument cluster is also known as a Hybrid Electronic Cluster (HEC) ), before it can be used to start the engine. Carry out special diagnostic procedures if new encoded ignition keys are to be installed.

The encoded key is larger than a traditional ignition key. The key does not require batteries and should last the life of the vehicle.

The transceiver module communicates with the encoded ignition key. This module is located behind the steering column shroud and contains an antenna connected to a small electronics module. During each vehicle start sequence, the transceiver module reads the encoded ignition key identification code and sends the data to the instrument cluster.

The control functions are contained in the instrument cluster. This module carries out all of the PATS functions such as receiving the identification code from the encoded ignition key and controlling engine enable. The instrument cluster initiates the key interrogation sequence when the vehicle ignition switch is turned to RUN or START.

The PATS uses the PCM to enable or disable the engine. The instrument cluster communicates with the PCM over the SCP network in order to enable engine operation. The instrument cluster and the PCM use sophisticated messages in order to prevent a theft. The instrument cluster and the PCM share security data (when first installed together) that makes them a matched pair. After this security data sharing, these modules will not function in other vehicles. The shared PCM ID is remembered even if the battery is disconnected. The instrument cluster also stores the vehicle's key identification code even if the battery is disconnected. Carry out special diagnostic procedures if either a new instrument cluster or PCM needs to be installed.

All elements of PATS must be functional before the engine is allowed to start. If any of the components are not working correctly, the vehicle will not start.

PATS uses a visual theft indicator. This indicator will prove out for three seconds when the ignition switch is turned to RUN or START undernormal operation. If there is a PATS problem, this indicator will either flash rapidly or glow steadily (for more than three seconds ) when the ignition switch is turned to RUN or START. PATS also "blips" the theft indicator every two seconds at ignition OFF to act as a visual theft deterrent.

The PATS is not compatible with aftermarket remote start systems, which allow the vehicle to be started from outside the vehicle. These systems may reduce the vehicle security level, and also may cause no-start issues. Remote start systems must be removed before investigation of PATS-related no-start issues.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jul 10, 2012, 5:49 PM)


CaroleM
Novice

Jul 10, 2012, 6:01 PM

Post #9 of 16 (6830 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

I'm typing for the owner of the truck and apparently I screwed up a piece of information. The key DOES have a plastic cover. I'm sorry for taking up more of your time with bad info.

I read the information you posted on the PATS system and will explore that further. If there is a problem with PATS, the truck may need dealership intervention (ugh).

Anything else you think we need to consider?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 10, 2012, 6:05 PM

Post #10 of 16 (6827 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

I don't think there is a problem with the PATS. You removed the ignition switch and tried to start it with a screwdriver and that triggers a theft lockdown. You need a new ignition lock and the new keys programmed.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



CaroleM
Novice

Jul 10, 2012, 6:09 PM

Post #11 of 16 (6821 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

I can't thank you enough for narrowing this down for us. I have someone who can replace the ignition lock, however, as for getting new keys and getting them programmed - qualified keysmith? or dealership or where? Sorry, I've never had to do this before. What you said, regarding the anti theft shut down, makes perfect sense.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jul 10, 2012, 6:12 PM

Post #12 of 16 (6817 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

When you tried turning it with a screw driver did you have the key with you? If you hold the key underneath the steering column cover the receiver should be able to pick up the key transponder while you turn the ignition with your screwdriver. You might just need a lock cylinder.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 10, 2012, 6:13 PM

Post #13 of 16 (6814 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

That's it....Dealer or some locksmiths. You'll have to call them and ask them if they have the programming capability. They will probably have to come to you because they need to truck.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 10, 2012, 6:15 PM

Post #14 of 16 (6807 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In


Quote
You might just need a lock cylinder.


Yeah, you might be able to get a new lock keyed to the old key.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



CaroleM
Novice

Jul 10, 2012, 6:19 PM

Post #15 of 16 (6802 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

Thanks for that info. Now that we know about the PATS, we will try what you said about having the key in the right area and we'll replace the lock cylinder (which is out right now anyway).


CaroleM
Novice

Jul 10, 2012, 6:20 PM

Post #16 of 16 (6800 views)
Re: 1999 Ford F250 Ignition Problem Sign In

I will make sure the locksmith has the appropriate equipment.

Thank you so much for all this information. It was more helpful than you can imagine and will hopefully get things rolling again asap!






 
 
 






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