URGENT Help Needed for Anti-Theft on 1996 Ford Explorer

bionicduck · 10-01-2009, 06:27 PM

Hello everybody,

I am having a BIG problem. I am a part time mailman here in my town and I have a 1996 Ford Explorer V8 AWD vehicle. I have the standard key and my wife uses the steel key I had made when I bought the truck. Never had problems with her key so I don't think the keys have a chip in them. They are small keys and not the oversized ones you get with chips in them.

Anyway....the vehicle has worked fine until today. I actually cleaned the dash and all the plastic parts with cloth armor-all wipes today getting ready for a trip this weekend. I must have done something because the ANTI-THEFT light came on. I didn't think much of it since I have never had problems with it. Well....my wife took our truck to work tonight and stopped at the store on the way about 2 miles away. When she got back in the truck it would not start. It turned over just fine, but would not start. I believe it has to do with the anti-theft thing, but am not sure. The truck still registers as having 1/2 tank of gas, but the needle does not move. What can I do?

Not sure if this is a problem but:

Three years ago my locking mechanism on all my doors and my keychain burnt out. The unlock still works though! This is probably due to my lap tray I use to hold my mail while doing my route. It must have rested on the door lock button for too long and burnt something out. I also have a problem with the tailgate driver side not closing. The other side closes fine, but the drivers side is a problem and keeps the light on too long.

Sorry to be long winded, but wanted to give you as much information as possible. We have a wedding this weekend for my wifes brother and this is also our only vehicle for the family. Kind of on a budget because I am part time waiting for my own route. Appreciate any help on this matter.

Matt

theoldwizard · 10-01-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bionicduck

When she got back in the truck it would not start. It turned over just fine, but would not start. I believe it has to do with the anti-theft thing ...

I don't think so. The Passive Anti Theft System (PATS) would prevent the starter from engaging. Is the PATS light blinking fast ?

bionicduck · 10-02-2009, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theoldwizard

I don't think so. The Passive Anti Theft System (PATS) would prevent the starter from engaging. Is the PATS light blinking fast ?

No...the light was not blinking at all I guess. It would just crank over and over like it was trying to start, but not catch at all. Could it be water in the lines. I filled it to 3/4 tank the day before and ran it about 50 miles and then my wife went to work that night too. Then I cleaned the truck, anti-theft light came on, she left for work again, she went 2 miles to the store....and when she came back out...it would not start. Thank you oldwizard, for responding. Any more ides by chance. Pulling my hair out.

bionicduck · 10-02-2009, 10:33 AM

Today I went down to the store where my truck was parked overnight. I opened the truck with my remote and started it. That;s right.....it started. I drove it to my mechanic to see if he could check it out for me. It would not start again. It turned over, caught for a moment....then stalled! Then it just cranked. He has it to look over. CRAP!!!!

theoldwizard · 10-02-2009, 11:11 AM

When is will not start do you smell gasoline when you put your head under the hood ?

Next time it will not start after a couple of cranks try the following. Hold the accelerator to the floor and crank again, but for no longer than about 20 seconds. If this works, clean the IAC and MAF.