I am having some trouble with my friends 98'. We just bought it two weeks ago and all of a sudden the theft light is blinking and it wont start. we had it towed to a good near by shop and they cant figgure it out. They said the ecu wont communicate with the theft system, or the computer they use to check trouble codes. They said to take it to ford and have them fix it.
I was thinking maybe a new ecu might fix it. Any thoughts?
$25 for a computer?? I'd personally take it to the dealer because that sounds too good to be true. But yes, it sounds like the computer for it alright.
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+1 on taking it to the dealer. they might charge you an arm and a leg, but at least they can do the job right. also, that ECU in the auction is for a mustang, but it doesnt say what kind of mustang. its either v6, gt, or cobra, and then you have to figure out if its auto or 5 speed. too much of a hassle using trial and error, i would go to the dealership. that and chances are they will have a warranty on whatever they do
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4/26/61 - 10/30/07
The best Mom-lady I could have ever asked for
write down the part number and while you are at the dealer ask the parts guy to cross reference the number. Ok so the problem is that the car doesnt start right? does the car even crank? check the condition of the battery and see if there is excessive corrosion on the battery terminals. if it has the autozone special terminals, then they are even more susceptible to corrosion. if this is the case. clean the terminals throughly and possibly get another battery in there.
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I recall posting a few pages up on the PATS system that I found on the net... Possibly they could assist? If it's the ECU this probably won't help tho. If it's the communication between the PATS system and the key-chip however...
I had the same problem with my '96. The keys are probably old or damaged or both and they won't communicate with the PATS anymore. It gets worse, only the dealer can replace it, and it's more than the cost of the key for $20. You'll have to get an entirely new ignition system and two new keys cut. After parts and labor, my lovely local ford dealership charged me a scant $380. Hope you get a better deal than I did.
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1996 Mustang GT 248A
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1965 Chevy c-10 350 chevy getting pulled for 402BBC and Th400
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I had the exact same problem with my Explorer and it was the key I was trying to use. It will cost about $40 per key to get a new one.
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Sometimes I think that government fits that old-fashioned definition of a baby: An alimentary canal with an appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.
- Ronald Reagan
Sometimes I think that government fits that old-fashioned definition of a baby: An alimentary canal with an appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.
- Ronald Reagan
That musta been a steal. i know when i first bought my car, i got two keys with it, both of which said "ilco" on it instead of "Ford", and i wanted mine to say "Ford" on them so i went to ford and asked them how much it would cost to get 1 new key, and they said about $140 per key, because they had to match it to the ECU. i wanted that "Ford" on the keys so much that i almost paid to have at least one key say it, only to find out that the only one they could get was the "ilco" one. if i wanted a "Ford" key it would have to come from michigan, if they could get it, and it would cost a hell of a lot more, closer to $200+. needless to say i didnt want the "Ford" sign on there that much.
now i think they are running for a little cheaper, close to $130ish, but still the ilco ones. door-only copies (no chip in them so they cant turn on the car) cost about $40
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RIP Gloria A. Torres
4/26/61 - 10/30/07
The best Mom-lady I could have ever asked for
I talked with the tech and he said that would make sense except for the fact that the anti theft module wont communicate with the ecu, nor the code reader.
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2001 Mustang GT-"GONE"
Bassani x-pipe Catted, Flowmasters, CAI, March UDPs, Steeda Tri-ax, Functional Hood scoop, Matrix lowering springs, Steeda C/C plates, Roush LCA, Alpine-9885 Head Unit.
2003 F150 Sport 4X4 4.6-SOLD
1999 F150 Xlt Flaresode 4.6-SOLD
1998 Mustang GT theft light on, wont start. HELP! 
