Immobiliser (PATS) issues - intermittent no-start

[jlmcooldude]

Hi all!  I have a 2007 MKZ that we purchased 5 years ago. I’ve been having intermittent no-start issues for a couple years. Often when putting the key in the ignition and turning it to start, nothing would happen and the immobilizer light would blink quickly. We would just keep trying to start it and eventually it would always start. However, I decided to try to figure out the problem and started by changing the ignition switch on the left side of the steering column (although with further research that I’ve done, I don’t think that has anything to do with the Pats system). When I had the steering column covers off I saw extra wires connected to the transponder receiver and followed them under the dash and realized that the car had a Ford remote start system installed. I’ve wondered if the car had that feature but never knew for sure until I saw the unit under the dash. We do not have any fobs to be able to use the remote start, but it’s interesting to note that it does have it. I don’t believe the car came with that feature standard so it was probably installed by the dealer. 

 

Anyway, I decided to try to program two new keys, using FORScan, since we’ve only ever had one key for the car (my thought was if the original key was causing the issues that two new keys might resolve the problem), but I was not able to do it with just trying to add a key, so I erased all the existing keys and tried to program the new keys, but the intermittent immobilizer issue seems to be causing the vehicle to not be able to program the two new keys. It seems like there’s a connection issue somewhere and that’s not letting me program two keys. I was able to get one programmed one time but it has to have two programmed for the vehicle to start or the immobilizer light is on solid and I can’t start the car. 

 

At this point my next step is to replace the transponder receiver, hoping that if that’s not communicating properly with the vehicle that that might resolve my issue. If that fails, I’m not sure what else to do other than possibly purchasing a tune for the car that will delete the PATS system from the computer. We live in rural Pennsylvania and are rarely in the city, so I’m not too concerned about not having the Pats system active in the car. 
 

Needless to say, I’m very frustrated because right now my car is sitting unusable in the driveway because I can’t start it. Fortunately we have a spare vehicle so we’re not without transportation, but it’s my wife’s primary car and I need to get it back on the road for her.

 

If anyone has any suggestions to help me fix the problem I’m having of not being able to start my car now, I would appreciate it. If I have to go the route of purchasing a tune that will delete the PATS system, I’d appreciate any suggestions on what company offers something like that. Thanks!