I just got this truck from a friend, it started everyday just fine until today, no nothing. Battery is good, starter is good. It won't crank, and the theft light flashes fast when I have the key in the on postion. I have checked the fuses and relays all good. I am really stumped here. Any help is most appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome to the forum

Turn key on and leave it on
Wait 45-60seconds and the THEFT LIGHT will start to Flash a 2 digit code, 1 flash then a pause then 1 to 6 flashes, then a longer pause and it repeats a few times

These are the codes
11 Transceiver [transponder coil] not connected, or there is no power to it.
12 Transceiver internal fault.
13 No Key/no PATS key has been used to turn the ignition switch.
14 Incomplete key code received.
15 Invalid key code received.
16 CAN communications error.

The most common issue it the transceiver, its the powered antenna around the key slot, easy to change, no programming needed
If its a Key issue and you only have 1 key then you will need a mobile locksmith with Ford software to come out and make you new PATS keys and add them to your computer system

You can do this yourself with Forscan software, there is a Forscan forum with all the How-tos
But you will need to buy TWO New PATS keys cut to fit the lock(two is the minimum) and the Laptop USB to OBD2 cable to hook up to the truck first

And just a heads up
If you try to start the truck 4 times(or more) with flashing THEFT light each time, the computer will go into "lock down" mode, and it won't start even with new transceiver and new key for 90minutes
And its a capacitor timer so unhooking battery doesn't matter, 90minutes, and timer resets to 90min each time key is turned on after that
Had people do repairs and nothing worked, what the heck.....................next morning it worked fine started right up, because computer was locked down from them trying to start it over and over

PATS is a pretty good anti-theft system, there is no work around or by-pass

 

It's the 1:1 what do I do to fix it?

 

First check Fuse 19, 25amp, in Cab fuse box, this powers the transceiver

If Fuse is OK then you will need to replace the transceiver, it looks like this: https://s3.amazonaws.com/rparts-site...861446d0d0.jpg

The black part "loop" is around the key slot, then 4 wire connector that plugs into truck's connector where steering column meets dash
So you will need to remove the steering column's clamshells(top and bottom covers) to get access

Wrecking yards are cheapest place to get replacement, 2001-2004 Rangers or Mazda B-series used same transceivers
Fords part number is 1L5T-15607-AE

Ford Dealers sell them for $60, so wrecking yard would be $30 or less

 

already checked and changed that fuse so it must be the transceiver. Thank you!

 

So this, "1L5T-15607-AE" is standard for all rangers 2001-2004?

 

https://www.profordparts.com/oem-par...Y2LWdhcw%3D%3D

This one is AA at the end and says non tilt wheel which mine has so no go?

 

AA is a revision number so might be OK, I don't have a 2001 Ranger so can't check, you do, so open up steering column and have a look at the part number on yours

 

I have a 99 3.0 that does this almost every other time I try to start it

 

This can happen when battery gets older, 5 years or so, or battery terminals need to be cleaned

When you activate the starter motor the battery(system) voltage drops because of the 60+ AMPs needed by starter motor to turn the engine over
If the voltage drops too low when cranking the engine some of the electronics, like PATS or Computer, will Reboot
In the case of PATS this can cause a glitch in reading the Key's number, so activates the Flashing Theft light

When you use the battery the first time to crank the engine, it warms up the battery, so on the 2nd attempt the voltage may not drop as low so no Reboot of PATS