kenryan

I have an 03 4.6 that was running fine. I went to the store and came home and let it sit for a couple of hours. When I tried to start it, it would only turn over and not start up. I tried my wife's key and same thing. When I turn the key once to turn on power everything works(i.e. horn, radio, a/c, etc). I do notice that when I first turn the key just to the acc setting the theft light starts blinking real fast and at the same time my digital odometer displays dashes where the numbers usually are. My battery is about dead from trying to crank it. I am not sure where I need to start. I thought it might be a clogged fuel filter but since the odometer is not working properly my gut tells me it is probably something to do with the anti theft. please help.

Bassplaya2011

I wouldn't rule out the fuel filter or the even the fuel pump yet. My truck had the same problem till i put in a new fuel pump but if the theft is blinking it would possible be the key or even the starter but my gut tells me it might be the fuel pump or filter. That be my lucky guess

bobkyle2

Sounds like a PATS problem to me... Be sure the key is clean and free of debris... take all the other keys off the key ring.. leave one that key to try to start it... pull the in and out a few times and make sure the key still looks clean..

kenryan

Just got home from work, truck started up.....now i'm scared to go anywhere.

kenryan

Went to the store last night and when I tried to start it it was doing the same thing. luckily it finally started and I made it home. I'm thinking the fuel pump might be on its last leg.

bobkyle2

The next time it dont start.... have someone beat on the fuel tank while you cycle the keyswitch on and off

Bassplaya2011

It honestly sounds like a fuel pump problem

ROwens

This IS an anti theft system problem.
An on-line search showed this quick fix:

If the theft light is flashing fast and the odometer reads all dashes, switch ignition to "ON" and leave it. After several seconds the theft light will begin flashing in a sequence (mine is 1 flash, then 6 more flashes). The computer is resetting, so leave it alone. This will continue for up to 3 minutes and the flashing will stop. Now remove your key and reinsert it. The odometer reading sould now display the numbers and the truck will start.

The permanent fix is currently unknown to me. I went for over a year after the first occurrence before it happened again.
I recently had a new key cut, but I still have the problem now and then.
We're probably looking at lots of bucks for the real fix.

I have a 2002 F150 XLT 4.6 with 173K miles. No major problems since purchased new.

DMGrier

yeah I had a similar issue once with a 98 Mustang GT. The problem was even though it showed that is was in park it really wasn't when it was actually in between park and drive. So it would start and I could not figure it out anywhere, not even the Ford dealership could figure that out. Then one day I was out and it would not start again and I got pissed off and hit the automatic shifted that moved it to the right spot and something made me turn my key and boom the engine kicked on. sometimes older cars have there issues you just got to learn to figure out what they are and either fix it or adapt.

fordman500

My 2002 f150 4.6 has been doing this for the past several years every few months, I have replaced the key sensor, the fuel filter, the fuel pump assembly. This past week twice it just died. I can't seem to get a bead on the real problem