mikkittykat

I am desperate for help. A year ago my truck got broken into and someone tried to steal it. The did something to my steering column. They were unable to steal it because of the security system. After that happened, occasionally when I would try to start my truck (2001 FORD F150 CREW CAB), the theft light would blink when I would try and start it and it wouldn't start. Eventually, it always started. Today, the truck started fine. I went to 4 different places, and, no problem. Then I went to Walgreens and when I came out and tried to start the truck, the theft light kept blinking and it wouldn't start. I tried for an hour and nothing. I left my truck at Walgreens and got a ride home, thinking that if I gave it some time, it would start. Well, it's 3 hours later and I just went back there and it still won't start. I swear, I didn't do anything different to it each time I started it. I can't afford to have it towed and now Walgreens is closed and my truck is stuck in their parking lot. What can I do to get it started? Is there a way to trip the security or ????? I'm a girl that knows nothing about vehicles.
I need my truck for work in the morning.. HELP!

I forgot to mention that a few months after the attempted break in, my boyfriend lost my keys and we were stuck at a 711. I had to get a locksmith to come and make me a new key with the chip in it ($400), so could it sometimes be my key problem? I don't have an original ford key anymore. What I don't understand is that if it is my key, why wouldn't it do this all the time? why only sometimes? Is it possible I am doing something wrong sometimes when I start the truck? I'm confused.

Blakers

Maybe try disconnecting the battery then let it sit for a few mins then reconnect it an see if that works

Jaytheredneck1

Passive Anti Theft System(PATS) is a bitch. No other way to put that really. Could be something is loose, or PATS is just being a bitch(it likes to do that). Try hitting the column? No seriously did you? Because if vibration makes it go in and out, a good thwack could get you home.

Malinky13

Have exactly the same problem on my 2000 F150, my wife borrowed the truck to go work in the shopping mall and some retard tried to steal it.Punched in the door lock and used some kind of wrench on the ignition switch.Eversince then have had an intermitent starting prob.The guys right about the shock treatment,90% of the time just have to flick the column change around or releaes the tilt and bang the wheel up & down.sometimes takes ten seconds, somtimes ten minutes but always works eventualy.Didnt know about the flashing theft light will look out for that next time.Good luck with yours.

garbill2003

That would drive me nuts I would take it to a ford dealership and have them fix it I would be able To deal with that kind of issue lol

jb451

I'd try the hitting method, it worked for me up until last week when i had to end up taking it to a dealership, the PATS module itself went out..... (my theft light was blinking as well, and it would turn over but no start) As expensive as it is, id just take it to the dealership when you get the money, theyre pretty much the only ones i've found that know how to fix it, and more than likely theyre gonna have to reprogram it, and youre gonna have to get them to make you another key as well, My dealer told me that i "have" to have two keys, which isnt a bad idea, but its like another 50 bucks for them to cut and reprogram your keys.... Hope everything works out for you!

JDingman

I own a '97 F150. I recently removed the amp and speaker wires the previous owner left in the truck (with exposed wire ends). After putting the radio back and reconnecting the battery, I have been unable to start it.
All the electronics work, just no turning over. I don't have the 'chipped key, but would the "whacking the steering column" still work to reset the anti-theft?

garbill2003

I wouldn't think these trucks would start without the passlock key

micahblue

I was very frustrated after my truck wouldn't start after replacing the battery. Everything else worked and it would turn over but the little key light kept blinking in the dash.
I followed Blakers advise & disconected the battery for a minute and connected it back and it started.. I thank you so much for taking the time to post this solution

James Westfall

After changing oil/rotating tires, tried to start my 09 F150 and just got a click and nothing else. The anti theft icon was rapidly blinking, and it was saying Check Charging System. After reading these forums, I was afraid I was in PATS hell. But thankfully, it turned out much easier and cheaper...it was a 10a fuse in the fuse box under the hood...#26, PCM-keep alive power, etc... New fuse, good to go. Worth a check before going down more costly roads....

(Still not sure if I hit something that caused this fuse to blow, or it was just coincidental and the fuse was at its end...).