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Auto Theft Prevention/2001 Expedition - PATS?

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Expert: - 2/3/2012


Question
Have a 2001 Expedition that began having random no-start issues in December (with cold weather).  Something happened with the FOB and it stopped working, then just had to be reset.  Took truck to a local Ford dealer who diagnosed it as instrument cluster defect on 12/18/2011; nine days later, truck would not start at all and was inoperable for one month.  Had cluster repaired and reinstalled.  Still would not start.  The next morning, my husband tried to start it and learned that the fan had been running --- without the key in the ignition --- and drained the battery.  Had it towed to another Ford dealer and they said it needs a new fuel pump.  They were supposed to have reprogrammed the computer and both keys since the reinstall of the cluster may have created problems.  Did not do that.  Not sure how they would have diagnosed the fuel pump if the PATS system was still disabling the vehicle; no check engine light.  The fuel pump was fine when it was seen by the other Ford dealership and then it stopped starting altogther eight days later, before we had the cluster repaired.
   I am almost 100% confident that this is simply a PATS-related conflict.  We have already invested quite a bit of money on this truck and, in fact, had to buy another vehicle in the interim because this one was inoperable.  We are a non-profit ministry and we need to get families to and from the Atlanta airport.
   Can you help us bypass the PATS to see if that resolves the problems.  Thank you!

Answer
I answered this personally as well.


Hi,

It sounds like you are dealing with a multitude of incompetence from you Ford dealers. Not surprising. They are just parts changers and have no clue as to how to diagnose a problem, leaving the consumer paying for work not properly done.

Now, as far as the fan running the battery down, that shouldn't happen any way because that should work off of switched power and once the key is removed there should be no power going to it and is a separate issue from the Ford PATS.

Your key fob has nothing to do with the transponder so-called anti theft PATS transponder system. Unless equipped with a worthless optional factory alarm ($800 option, not commonly installed or activated), the key fob is just a keyless entry with a panic button and is not alarm.

The PATS is something the consumer sees o hears. PATS is an ignition based system that operates when the correctly programmed key is inserted into the ignition. If not functioning correctly where the key can't be read, engine will crank, but will not start.

Now, I don't care if you are a non profit or not. I tell people openly how to bypass this junk that Ford said was "Unstealable", lying to consumers as all manufacturers do so well. There is no such thing as an anti theft system, unless you have an auto theft claim in which the insurance company will accuse the insured of fraud in order to deny payment on a theft claim, which is done every day and every where in the US and Canada. I could be soft and nice and say Ford misrepresented the effectiveness of PATS, however to tell the truth, in court I prove they lied!

As for bypassing your PATS, I have concerns. The bypass only works on functional PATS systems. If you have an IP problem still there, it is not going to work because everything has to be functioning, including the instrument cluster as well as theft light. This is all tied in making a full loop from the PATS module behind the glove box, under the hood to the circuit that feeds everything under the hood (circuit# 361) and then back to the computer for the engine to start.

If any connection is broken between these areas and as you said, they changed the instrument cluster if that was even the problem, the bypass will not work. Also the collateral result to the bypass will cause the theft light to flash rapidly and the only thing you can do is to put black electrical tape over the the theft light to hie its flashig.

The bypass was only done to prove Ford lied and the system could operate without a programmed key.

The bypass is simple. Under the hood is a relay box on the driver's side. There are relays in the box. You are looking for number 4 or5. Don't remember anymore. The owners manual will tell you the exact location of the PCM Power Relay, or you can look  and see it is the only relay with a little black diode in front of it.

Remove the relay. Take a tie wrap and tie the contact points closed. Cut off the excess tie. Reinstall relay cover. Reinstall relay. That's it!!

By the way-the idiots at Ford dealers will tell you the system is impossible to bypass. What misguided fools--

Good luck!

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Rob Painter, ASE, CFL, CFEI

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My background in auto theft is extensive. I have been directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft recovered vehicles. I also do insurance investigation as to how a vehicle was last operated. My clients are insurance companies and attorneys. Was featured in the A & E auto theft documentary "Stealing Wheels" July 26, 2000. Has consulted with Daimler Chrysler steering column engineers to make their steering columns harder to defeat. Holds patent # 6,039,140 for 8 different variations to protect air bags from theft.

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ROB PAINTER, ASE, CFL, CFEI Forensic Vehicle Component Analyst Diplomate, Board Certified Forensic Examiner ASE Certified Auto, Collision, Med/Hvy/Duty Truck Technician Certified Forensic Locksmith Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator Certified Forensic Auto Theft Examiner Certified Auto Theft and Fraud Expert http://www.autotheftexpert.com Email-rpainter@wi.rr.com P.O. Box 190 Big Bend, WI 53103 Phone (414) 698-9696 Fax (262) 662-1352 As per federal court rules of evidence (702) (Daubert) my testimony has qualified me as: Auto Theft and Fraud Expert Forensic Vehicle Analyst Fire Origin and Cause Expert In the trial transcript of Holiday vs Progressive Insurance Company (March 12, 2002?Eugene, Oregon) with Holiday being my client-named ?the expert for experts.? BUSINESS EXPERIENCE Founder of the ?Forensic Institute of Auto Theft Analysis? (January 2002). This is the training school that will set the standards in determining the last operation of a reported stolen vehicle-burned or unburned. Much of my testing and procedures have been accepted as the guide for the forensic community. 1986 opened Auto Recovery Specialists Inc., providing exclusive repair of theft recovered and vandalized vehicles. The initial concept of the business was to return vehicles to their original shape before the theft, vandalism or fire. In 1987 bought the rights to the theft deterrent known as the ?Chicago Collar?. Duties include complete component replacement: dash, stereo system, interior, locks and coding, rebuilding steering columns, repairing and installing vehicle security system components (factory and after market), engine components, body repair, glass replacement, repair and service of air conditioning components, brake and suspension repair, and replacement, wiring harnesses etc. to return vehicle to pre-theft condition Complete reconstruction. During the past 17 years directly involved in the repair of over 10,000 theft-recovered and fire damaged Personally examined and rebuilt thousands of steering columns on both import and domestic vehicles Internationally acknowledged as expert in auto theft including court, consulting with insurance companies, attorneys and law enforcement. Consultant on steering columns, locks, stereo systems and vehicle security for Special Investigation Units for many large insurance carriers during the past eight years. Consulting services include but not limited to: How a vehicle was last operated (with or without keys in burned or unburned vehicles), Origin and Cause of vehicle fires, and vehicle defects. Provides services as a consultant and researcher to attorneys and insurance companies, and private industry throughout the US in cases related to vehicles. Has worked with crime prevention officers throughout the US establishing training programs designed to protect the public from becoming victims of auto theft. PATENT: 3/21/00 issued patent# 6,039,140 for 8 different variations of airbag anti-theft devices. PUBLICATIONS Currently authors articles and test reports on an ongoing basis for SIUs and the forensic/vehicle fire industry. Published author: (1,297 slide training course) Auto Theft/ Fraud Training Course) ?The Modern Forensic Approach to Auto Theft Investigation.? (January, 2001) Author: ?Variables to Be Considered In Vehicle Fire Investigation after Suppression.? (Insurance publication-November 2001) Author: ?Ford Magnesium Steering Columns and the Results to Ignition Components after a Fire?. Article for peer review from the fire and forensic community. (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM VATS.? (Article) (November 2001) Author: ?The Truth About GM PASSLOCK TM? (Article) (November 2001) Author:? Auto Theft Investigation: Hollywood vs. Reality? (Article) (February 2001) For the John Cooke Fraud Report. Published author: (Manual) ?Forensic Vehicle Fire/ Arson and Auto Theft Investigation? (October 2000) Published author: (Article) ?Petty Claims? for the John Cooke Fraud Report (October, 1998) Published author (Manual) ?AUTO THEFT: LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN!? (1998) (Previously distributed by Barnes & Nobel) Co-authored the investigation manual, ?Surreptitious Entry & Auto Theft & Burn & the Investigator.? (1999) Authored test questions on the subject of steering columns and vehicle security for CFL designation to be given by the International Association of Investigative Locksmiths. January, 2000 Published author: (Manual) ?Saginaw Steering Columns-What Has Not Been Told? Training manual for fire investigators. (March 2000) Published (Article) ?Beyond The Lock? (May 2000) Published Author: (Article) Fraud Defense Network-August, 2000 Edition-?Melting Steering Column Tests.? http://www.fraudreport.com/index.cfm?month=08&year=2000 Published author: (Test Report) ?Burned Toyota Steering Column Testing to Determine How Last Operated?. Tool marks and procedures. (December 1999) Currently at the FBI Crime Lab in Washington DC and the US Army Crime Lab in Atlanta, GA for peer review. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Defeated the ?unstealable? Ford Securilock transponder system for a court case 10/10/00. They said it could not be done! Primary designer of a state of the art ?bait? car for a police department to catch car thieves. Worked with The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration and discovered a potential fire hazard on a vehicle and determined origin and cause of under hood fires on this type of vehicle. Featured as ?Auto Theft Expert? in the A & E auto theft documentary ?Stealing Wheels? that aired July 26, 2000. Contacted by Sears and Edelman Marketing to be a national spokesman for an anti theft device for vehicles. (November 1999) Invited to provide evaluation and consulting to steering column engineers at Daimler Chrysler Corporation in Auburn Hills, MI (10/19/99-10/22/99). The purpose of this project was to demonstrate how steering column locking mechanisms could be defeated without the use of a key and how to reinforce the columns against theft. Court Qualified as an Auto Theft Expert and my videos of defeating columns were also accepted by a Cleveland, Ohio Court in October 1999 as a valid piece of evidence. Contacted by Disney Touchstone Pictures for technical assistance in making the movie ?Gone in 60 Seconds? (March 1999) CONSULTANT FOR FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS ? Former contributor for The Insurance News Network (Auto theft and prevention) includes heading a forum for the public on how to protect their vehicles for 3+ years. ? Former editor and consultant for the public on matters involving auto theft and prevention 2000-2001 on the web at http://www.autotheft_forum.com. ? The Insurance Career Center (Auto theft and fraud). ? National Association of Investigative Specialists (Auto theft and fraud) ? Expert Find (Auto theft and fraud} TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE ? ASE (National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence) Certified in Auto: brakes, steering and suspension, engine repair, manual drive train and axles, air conditioning. Med/Heavy duty truck: gasoline engine repair, electrical/electronic components. Collision: elec.....

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