When I turn my key to start my truck the theft light on the dash starts flashing and the truck will not start. It was running fine up until Tuesday afternoon, then I turned it off for about 5 minutes and went back to start it and it hasnt started since. This has been going on for 2 days now. Any suggestions? Thanks
2007-05-03 10:42:11 · 7 answers · asked by king10.geo 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Ford
The theft light on recent Fords always flashes. You just never noticed it before. (Mine does that too.)
Your problem is the truck not starting. The flashing light shows the battery is OK (although it doesn't say how OK it is). Think of the usual tests you would do if it doesn't start, beginning with the easy ones - do you hear it cranking; is the starter making any grinding noises; does the fuel gage show any fuel in it; had it been getting harder to start lately (before the big problem); do your headlights come on (and dim while cranking); do you only hear a click-click while trying to crank; has there been a big rain that may have soaked through worn ignition wires; did someone steal your distributor cap, etc. After that start worrying about fancy things like ignition failures, on-board computer failures, and sensor or key failures (including the good idea above about checking the neutral safety switch.)
If you are methodical you can get it.
2007-05-03 10:53:13 · answer #1 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The theft light is flashing because it can';t read the chip on your key or its not a programmed key. May need a new key, or there may be a deeper problem in the key checking system (Ford calls it PATS- Passive Anti-Theft Security). Whatever the case, only a dealer can help with this... it takes a ford scan tool to program keys. If you have another key (hidden spare, on wife's key ring) try that.
2007-05-04 14:18:42 · answer #2 · answered by danbot372 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most automatics have a 'neutral safety switch' which prevents the car from starting in any gear other than park or neutral. If the battery and starter are good, it may be the neutral safety switch.
This happened on my 94 jeep cherokee, and instead of having to buy a couple hundred dollar part, I had my mechanic rewire the safety switch with a diagram I found on the internet. It only cost a few bucks as opposed to a few hundred with a 3 day wait. He fixed it in 20 minutes, and now my car can start in any gear i want it to!
Its technically dangerous, but fun!
So check out the neutral safety switch, and if you have a friend who works on cars then ask them to do it and you'll save lots of money!!!!!
2007-05-03 10:52:55 · answer #3 · answered by mike b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try putting the key in drivers door and unlocking to 2-3 times the try starting it . if the theft light is on solid truck will start if it is flashing it will not start.does your truck have a "pats " system if so may need to be reprogramed or key may need to be replaced and reprogrammed
2007-05-04 02:15:42 · answer #4 · answered by waterboy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On some cars they have an anti theft system that will disable the cars engine if someone trys to steal it someone either tryed to steal your truck or something must have shorted and enabled the engine immobilizer
2007-05-03 11:00:33 · answer #5 · answered by NYsNumba1Man 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree it sounds like a ground problem. Clean up the ground cable. Also wiggle the battery cables see if it happens more or less. They can look fine on the outside but be corroded bad on the inside. If that doesn't cause any change try wiggling the battery posts. They can get corroded too and sometimes even fall out. BE CAREFUL doing this. It's only 12 volts, but it still hurts if you get shocked. All of these things are fairly inexpensive and easy fixes.
2016-04-01 07:13:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure you didn't just get into a truck that looked like yours?
2007-05-03 10:47:55 · answer #7 · answered by Yesugi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋