For security purposes, Ford vehicles come fitted with a passive anti-theft system. The system prevents someone from starting the engine with an incorrectly coded key. Depending on the model, your vehicle may have one of the following alarm systems:

Perimeter alarm

The perimeter alarm is a deterrent against unauthorized access to your vehicle through the doors and the hood. If the alarm is triggered, the alarm horn sounds, and the hazard flasher flashes.

Perimeter alarm with interior sensors

The sensors act as a deterrent against unauthorized intrusion by sensing any movement inside your vehicle.

Category one alarm with interior sensors and battery back-up sounder

The battery back-up sounder is an additional alarm system, which sounds a siren if your vehicle battery or the battery back-up sounder is disconnected. The system is armed when you lock your vehicle. The sounder has its own battery and will sound an alarm even if someone disconnects your vehicle battery or the battery back-up sounder itself.

How Ford Anti-Theft Works

Ford’s passive anti-theft system uses a key with a transponder in the head of the key. Each transponder is coded with a unique identifying code made from a possible 18 billion combinations. It is a passive system because it does not require any input from the driver.

How to Arm Ford Anti-Theft System

When you switch the ignition off, the engine immobilizer will arm automatically after a short time. To arm the alarm, lock your vehicle.

Will the Antitheft Light Drain Battery

No, the anti-theft light just shows that the vehicle doesn’t see a matched key code and the vehicle is not ready to start. These systems use very low amperage and shouldn’t drain your battery.

Why Does the Security Light Come On in My Car?

The security light is located on your instrument panel. When the security light illuminates, that means the anti-theft system may not be working properly. That could be due to your remote having a dead battery or the car’s battery being dead and losing its key memory. It could also be that the immobilizer chip in your key is damaged or the door lock is damaged.

Metallic objects, electronic devices, or a second coded key on the same key chain may result in the vehicle starting problems, especially if they are too close to the key when starting your vehicle.

How to Reset Antitheft System on Ford

For most people, the first thing that comes to mind when the anti-theft system is activated accidentally and can’t start their vehicle is a problem with the key. While a faulty key could be the reason and thereby needing to be repaired or replaced, there are other ways to reset your anti-theft system you should first try.

Before trying out any of the methods to reset, first, check the car’s battery. The system is unlikely to read any reset attempt if the battery is drained out.

Below are the different ways to reset the anti-theft system on Ford:

Using the ignition

• Insert the key into the ignition and turn it on to the position where the accessories are activated but not the engine. The display behind the steering will light up and show the anti-theft blinking or constantly lit.
• Let the key in this position for about 10 minutes.
• Check the anti-theft light again. If it is no longer lit, turn the key back off and leave it for some minutes.
• Now attempt to start the engine. Your vehicle’s engine should start as you have successfully reset your Ford anti-theft system.
• Try this procedure for a couple of times should it not work the first time.

Using the door lock

• Insert the key into the door lock on the driver’s side door.
• Turn the key on, and hold the position for about one minute without turning it back. This indicates to the system that you have the right key.
• Also, repeat the small procedure by turning the key in the opposite direction and holding the position.
• Then remove the key from the door and insert it into the ignition. Start your engine.

Repair/ replace the key

If the above methods don’t work, there could be a problem with the key. The key or its in-built chip could be damaged. If you have a second key for the car, try the above methods using it. If the second key works, then your original key is the problem and will need to be replaced or repaired.

Check the door lock

If the key is not at fault, check the door lock. It could be damaged due to attempted theft, thus activating the anti-theft system.

Resetting the System on Different Ford Models

Follow the instructions below to reset different Ford models:

Ford F-150

Resetting one key requires two originally programmed keys to complete the process. To reset a Ford F-150 ignition key:

• Insert your first programmed key into the ignition and turn it to the ON position.
• Cycle the first key back OFF, remove it from the ignition, and insert the second programmed key within 5 seconds.
• Cycle in “On” and “Off” and then remove the second key.
• Insert the key you would like to reset within 10 seconds, leave it “On” for one second, and then cycle it back to “Off”.
• Leave the key in the ignition until the security light turns on, then remove the key to complete the programming process.

Ford F350

To reset the anti-theft system in a Ford F350, disconnect the negative battery terminal for about 60 minutes.

Ford Expedition

If your Ford Expedition anti-theft light is blinking and won’t start, try the following instructions to reset.

• Insert the known correct key into the ignition and turn it on. If you use a non PATS key, the system will remain armed. If the car starts, then you have disarmed the PATS system. If not, move to the next step.
• Try turning the key and moving the shift from park to drive and back. Then try starting it again.
• Verify you have the right key. If you are sure you have the correct key, try to start the car with the spare if you have it. If your Ford expedition still refuses to start, move on to the next step.
• Wait 15 minutes, until you see the red light flashing rate on your dashboard decrease to normal speed, and then try both keys again. If this still fails, raise the hood and disconnect the battery for 15 minutes, then reconnect it and try again.
• If after all this your Expedition still doesn’t start, you will need to have towed to the dealership for diagnosis and repair.

Ford Escape

To reset the anti-theft system in a Ford Escape:

• Try inserting the key in the door lock.
• Turn it on but do not turn it back. Hold in that position for 40 to 60 seconds.

Ford Taurus

To reset the anti theft on a 2004 Ford Taurus:

1. Turn the key to “RUN” (do not try to start).
2. The anti-theft light should blink rapidly. After a minute the blinks should slow down.
3. Turn the ignition “Off” and remove the key and keep it at least 2 feet from the steering column for 30 seconds.

To disable anti-theft on a Ford Taurus

1. Press the “unlock” button on the remote entry transmitter.
2. Insert the coded key into the ignition and turn the ignition on. The anti-theft light will turn off after approximately three seconds, indicating the system is disabled.
3. Repeat the steps if the light flashes rapidly or stays on for more than a few seconds.

Troubleshooting Ford Focus Anti-Theft System

Ford Focus models are equipped with SecuriLock, which is Ford’s passive anti-theft system. The car will not start without using the properly coded key, partly to deter car thieves.

If the system engages when the rightful own attempts to start the car, try the following tips to troubleshoot before calling a dealer for repairs:

• Check to ensure you are using the right key for the car.
• Lock your car and activate the anti-theft system by pressing the “Lock” button twice on your key fob. The horn will sound, confirming system activation. Unlock the car with the key fob, which should deactivate the system and allow you to start the car with an authorized ignition key.
• Remove other smart keys and electronic devices from your key ring, They can interfere with the ignition key’s signal and cause the anti-theft system to activate.
• Inspect the ignition key for physical damage. If the key has been crushed or bent in any way, the chip within the key may no longer be functional.
• Check the ignition lock on the steering console for damage or evidence of tampering. If there was an attempted theft on your car and activated the anti-theft system, you will need to have your vehicle towed to a dealership to deactivate anti-theft system.

Ford Ranger Antitheft Bypass

If you want to bypass your Ford Ranger PATS system, you could buy an alarm pats module, use a relay to power it off or an ignition circuit that stays hot as long as the key is in the on position. Then as long as you have two keys you can program the module like a third key. That way you could use a regular key in the ignition.

Ford Theft Light Codes

Ford PATS Fault Codes

1. B1213: Less than 2 (or 3 if equipped w/Valet key) keys programmed to the system.
2. B1342: ECU is defective (EEPROM in PCM is not working-replace PCM). PATS related when stored in PCM only.
3. B1600: Non-PATS key or damaged key.
4. B1601: Unprogrammed encoded ignition key detected (leave the ignition on for 20 seconds before trying a programmed key, in Anti-Scan Mode).
5. B1602: Partial detection of the encoded ignition key.
6. B1681: Transceiver signal not detected.
7. B2141: Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) configuration failure –No PCM ID stored in PATS.
8. B2139: PCM ID does not match between the PCM and PATS control (PATS/ICM/VIC/HEC/SCIL).
9. B2431: Key programmed failure ( defective key or transceiver)
10. U1147/U1262: Communication issue, SCP (J1850), between PCM and PATS control (PATS/ICM/VIC/HES/SCIL).
11. P1260: PCM disabled the vehicle because of a PATS concern. Retrieve DTC’S from applicable PATS control function (PATS/ICM/VIC/HES/SCIL).

It is not a PATS issue, if:

• PATS Theft Indicator flashes every 2 seconds at ignition OFF. This is normal operation for PATS to act as a visual deterrent.
• PATS Theft Indicator stays on for 2 or 3 seconds (depending on system type) at ignition RUN or START and then off. This is normal operation for PATS prove out.
• The “Service Engine Soon” Light is illuminated. (Investigate PCM system).

LED indicator of PATS status

1. Ignition OFF, short flashing LED

Stand-by mode, PATS works.

2. Ignition ON, LED lights 4 seconds and turns off

Inserted and correctly identified key.

3. Ignition ON, LED fast flashing

Wrong key, anti-scan mode is activated.

4. Ignition ON, LED On

Waiting for coding keys

Resetting Ford Pats System Security Light On in Car While Driving

• Locate the override button on the alarm box, located beneath the driver’s side of the dashboard.
• Press the button and hold it in until the alarm beeps one time. The LED light for the alarm should stop blinking, indicating the anti-theft is disabled.