[pinktink]

I recently started having problems with my car starting. When I turn the key over it will not start and the theft light flashes rapidly. Is there anything i can do about the anti theft system?

[stlwagon]

Welcome... Let's find you an answer in this forum.

[james02mustang]

I'm not sure about the earlier gen 4's, but I had a similar problem. Try turning on the ignition, tilting the steering wheel down and then start (or ignition off tilt down then ignition to start). This worked for me. Turns out the sensor that reads the key code was bad. If the tilt wheel trick works then go to a dealership and get it fixed. There is no way to bypass the system and if it fails completely you cannot start the car. I had to get towed to a dealer at this point. I think the fix ended at about $130 plus a tow charge. Hope this helps!

[steve_stang2003]

Originally Posted by james02mustang

I'm not sure about the earlier gen 4's, but I had a similar problem. Try turning on the ignition, tilting the steering wheel down and then start (or ignition off tilt down then ignition to start). This worked for me. Turns out the sensor that reads the key code was bad. If the tilt wheel trick works then go to a dealership and get it fixed. There is no way to bypass the system and if it fails completely you cannot start the car. I had to get towed to a dealer at this point. I think the fix ended at about $130 plus a tow charge. Hope this helps!

+10

The RFID pickup in the steering column has very fragile wires and this is a common problem.
Other things it can be are the key itself, the cluster or the ECM.

Here is some PATS stuff for ya' :
Ford PATS system types
Passive Anti Theft Diag TSB 99-26-6