[burt454]

Newbie here...

First - Chevy guy trying my first Mustang....and I'm really excited about the possibilities. Been reading the forums here for about a month trying to soak info. Great input from everyone here.

Second/my problem - I've owned my 2003 GT for about a month. It's not a daily driver but I try to drive once a week or so. I tried start the car just now and the Ignition is locked! The Theft light is blinking. Can I disable this without towing the car to a dealership? Is this a key problem or something that I have done. As recent as yesterday the car was fine.

Any advise would be helpful.

Bob

[1Badsnk]

Don't no if it your Stang has an aftermarket alarm or not but if it does there should be an override button somewhere up above the pedals or around the steering shaft. If you find it you normally turn the key as if you are starting the car and press this button at the same time and this should disengage it. i'm not sure if this is the same for factory though. Good luck.

[reivaxtorres]

no, thats the PATS system, which is Passive Anti Theft System. basically the key emits a signal that the ECU reads once the key is inserted into the ignition. if the signals match, it will let you turn on the car. if the signals are different, it will disable the ignition and the theft light will start blinking. you can turn it off, but you need a handheld tuner to do so. if you have a spare key, try using that one instead.

if that doesnt work, you pretty much need to take it to the dealer to have them re-program the key to the ECU which means you gotta tow the car there, and make sure you take whatever spare keys you have of the car.

EDIT: i know you said you are a chevy guy trying your first ford, but make sure you didnt get the keys confused with another ford you or your family might have lying around. i did that once, i tried turning my car on with an f-150 key and was getting really pissed because it wasnt working, then finally realized that im an idiot.

[burt454]

Thanks for the responses.

As I type this I’m a little embarrassed. I had a friend of mine tell me to “get in the car and jerk the crap out of the steering wheel a couple of times”. Jerk number 6 got the car/key unlocked. Still a little concerned as to what happened to cause this. I would have bet money it was a key issue.

Thanks again,

Bob

[reivaxtorres]

Originally Posted by burt454

Thanks for the responses.

As I type this I’m a little embarrassed. I had a friend of mine tell me to “get in the car and jerk the crap out of the steering wheel a couple of times”. Jerk number 6 got the car/key unlocked. Still a little concerned as to what happened to cause this. I would have bet money it was a key issue.

Thanks again,

Bob

oooo, thats what happened. when the key is out of the ignition, if you try turing the steering wheel, you will get some play in it. once you turn it far enough, you will hear a click and the steering wheel will lock. if you put the key in the ignition, it wont turn until you play with the wheel a little. i didnt know this would cause the theft light to turn on/blink, so i didnt even think of mentioning this.

glad you got it squared away