Ford PATs system is one of the important features on your ford . You must know how to disable ford pats system for your ford security.
Every driver should have some basic skills on how to fix some minor technical problems on a vehicle. We are not saying that now you get rid of your mechanic’s number, no.
But some technical problems don’t necessarily require a professional mechanic. Only a few guided steps and you are good to go.
Such skills will save you unnecessary costs and time. Sometimes these problems will occur when you are out of reach of your professional mechanic, yet you need to drive to your destination.
For example, how can you handle a situation whereby you put your hands in your pockets and you can’t find your transponder key?
You might end up in a panic mode especially if you don’t know what to do. Therefore, having some skills like how to disable ford pats system can be a lifesaver in the least unexpected way.
If you follow this guide, you will have your vehicle moving again without spending any costs on a new transponder key.
What is Ford PATS System?
As a car owner, there is nothing so frightening than walking to where you had initially parked your car and you can’t find it.
I know there is no humor in losing a car but bear me witness, you will search for it even in your pockets. We can all agree that car theft is a problem that has lasted for decades if not centuries.
In response to this, automotive manufacturers have been on their toes trying to come up with the best security systems and PATS is one of the most used systems.
PATS is abbreviated from the words Passive Anti-Theft Systems. Also referred to as Ford Securilock.
Therefore, the PATS system is a car security system that instantly identifies whether you are using the correct key to turn on your engine or a foreign key acquired cheaply.
Since its introduction, it has stood out to be a standard feature not only in Ford vehicles but also in other brands.
PATS system works by ensuring that no key can start your engine if it’s not your original transponder key. Even you as the owner, are barred from accessing the vehicle if you lose your key.
However, losing your car key should not be the end of the road for your car. With an original key, you can have a new transponder key.
The procedures are not complicated and thus you can do it by yourself using a FORScan.
If you don’t have a FORScan, you can reach out to your local dealer and have them fix a new transponder key for you.
DIY GUIDE: How to Bypass Ford PATS System Without Key (Step by Step Guide)
Hope is not lost, and you can still drive in your Ford car even after losing your keys.
Our DIY guide offers you a step-by step-procedure on how to disable Ford pats system all by yourself without involving a professional mechanic.
Breath in and out, relax, it’s doable. However, ford pats bypass no key process should not be a permanent solution. Why?
By disabling your car pats system, you risk losing your car through theft since any key can start your engine.
To keep your vehicle safe and secure, make sure you get a new transponder key and activate your pats system as soon as possible.
Without further ado, below are the steps that will get you started:
Step 1: Requirements for Ford PATS Bypass No Key Process
To disable the Ford pats system, you require some basic tools that will ease the process and make it a success. Ensure you have all of them before you began the process.
- A flathead screwdriver
- A new pair of keys
- A tape
Step 2: Have the Keys Cut
Visit your local key cutter dealer to have your keys cut to correspond the original transponder keys. These newly cut keys will serve the purpose of the original keys but without the transponder chip.
You can safely insert them in the ignition to start the engine. You will use the newly cut keys to deceive the pats system into interpreting that you are indeed using the original transponder key to start up the engine.
Step 3: Take out the Transponder Chip
Given that you already possess the new keys, you can now remove the chip from the transponder.
When the chip is inside the key, it communicates with the pats system that you are using the original key.
But you and I know that you are using a duplicate key and therefore the engine won’t start no matter the number of times you try.
On the contrary, your engine will still not run without the chip. Tricky right? But don’t worry because there is a solution to that as we are going to see later in this article. Below are the steps to remove the chip:
- Take your flathead screwdriver
- Check the small square on top of your key
- Using the flathead screwdriver, try to get inside
- Avoid using excess pressure when getting inside the key as this may damage the key
- Once the screwdriver is inside, go ahead and take out the transponder chip from the key
Having removed the transponder chip from the primary key is such a remarkable progress. Now you can effectively use your newly cut keys.
Step 4: Bypass the PATS System
Having removed the transponder chip that could easily detect the key being used, Ford pats bypass no key process becomes so easy.
You will need to attach the transponder chip to the ignition so that when you insert the new key on the ignition, the vehicle will interpret it as the original key. Below are steps on how to attach the transponder:
- Using a tape, hang the transponder on the ignition perfectly
- Ensure that you place the chip where the car can easily read it
- Insert the new key in the ignition to start up the engine
- Rotate the key to see whether the engine will start. If it doesn’t start, check the position of your transponder, and reposition until the key functions. Once the engine is turned on, the pats system will temporarily be disabled and now you are ready to move.
A sigh of relief, right? That’s how the ford parts bypass no key works. For more information follow the video link below:
How to Reset PATS System Ford f150?
When anyone tries to turn on your Ford f150 engine using another key or any other object different from the pats programmed key, the pats system will turn down this attempt causing a red light on the dashboard to go on.
If you recently lost your keys and had to conduct a Ford pats bypass no key process using your new keys or somebody attempted to steal your vehicle, it is possible to experience this.
Thus, you will need to reset the system. The resetting process is super easy, and you will only need your vehicle’s keys. Below are steps to reset the pats system of your Ford f150:
- Get into your vehicle
- Roll down the window to ensure that you have access to your vehicle in case you get locked out
- Insert the key into the ignition and turn on your vehicle without turning on your engine (accessory mode)
- Leave your vehicle in this mode for at least 10 minutes. You can use a timer, a watch, or your smartphone to set the time. Your vehicle’s computer will have enough time to identify your key and reset the system.
- After the set time is over, get back to your vehicle to check whether the anti-theft warning light has shut off. If the red light is off the process was successful and your vehicle will now start normally.
- If the anti-theft warning light is still on even after repeating the process several times, have your keys reprogrammed at a licensed Ford service center.
How Much Does It Cost to Program a Ford Key?
Every Ford pats key has a computer chip referred to as a transponder chip and each contains a unique code.
Your pats system is set in such a way that it only accepts keys whose codes have been programmed.
And even when a duplicate key is used, the pats system will still recognize and reject it.
When your key is lost, it can be hard to program a new key for your vehicle since you will need two keys to complete the programming.
Therefore, it’s highly recommended that you make an extra key when you still can and have it programmed as a spare key.
If you have time and would like to save yourself extra costs on Ford key programming, follow the steps below for guidance:
Step 1: Ensure that your car battery has a long-life duration before starting the programming process since reprogramming a new transponder key requires a lot of power.
If your battery dies during the programming process, you will have to restart the whole process from the beginning even if you were in your final step.
Step 2: Ensure that the transponder keys you have fit your vehicle model. You can get new PATS keys from your dealer and have them cut to match your original transponder key.
Step 3: Insert the transponder key in your ignition and turn it on. Let it stay on for at least 10 minutes.
Keep checking the dashboard to confirm that the anti-theft light is on. Your security light should go stay on for 15 minutes and then shut off.
Step 4: Within 3 seconds, turn off your ignition using the transponder key and turn it on again. Your security light will go on again and shut off after 15 minutes.
Step 5: In 3 minutes again, repeat step 3 until the security light goes off.
Step 6: Leave your transponder key inserted into your ignition for at least 45 minutes after which your transponder key should be programmed to your PATS system. You can drive using the newly programmed key.
Step 7: Repeat this process for other keys that you would like to program.
For more information follow the link below:
Please note that, once you have programmed new transponder keys successfully, any other key will be rejected by the pats system even if you find your original key.
Therefore, it is always advisable that you program at least two transponder keys.
However, if you find it complicated to program your transponder keys for yourself, you can always have it resolved at your Ford licensed dealer.
Transponder key programming at a dealership shop ranges between $50 – $500. A dealership tends to be more expensive than a local automotive dealer.
(FAQs) of Ford Pats System
How can I program a ford key without the original transponder key?
Simply insert the transponder key in the ignition and turn it on. Allow it to remain there for at least 10 minutes. Anti-theft light will go on. You can repeat the process multiple times for certainty.
How does the Ford PATS work?
Inside the transponder key, there is a chip that informs the vehicle that indeed you are using the correct key.
The pat system goes ahead to read the chip and if you have the primary key, the engine will start. If you don’t, the anti-theft light goes on.
How do you know if you have a PATS system?
If you try to use a non-transponder on a vehicle that has a pats system, the anti-theft light will automatically go on, a piece of evidence that your vehicle has a pats system.
In conclusion, if you don’t want to spend maintenance costs on minor technical issues of your vehicle like how to disable ford pats system, ensure you study all the steps we have discussed here and have them on your fingertips.
Share this information with your loved ones as it might save at least one of them if not all in their dire need.
Final Words
Now that you know all about how to disable ford PATs system on your ford. Learn more about the new technology on your ford and make your ford more secure.Now we highly recommend you to read the guideline of Auto Engine Lube about ford anti-theft system troubleshooting.