Hi Scotty,
I have a 2004 ford explorer 4X4, automatic transmission, 210.0-hp, 4.0-liter, V6 Cylinder Engine, 131625 miles, no codes. Vehicle was running but the battery was low, so I charged the battery. Now when I turn the key, I get nothing except a small click in the dashboard and the anti theft LED goes from a steady blink to a rapid flash. All the fuses are good, the starter cranks with a remote starter switch, the problem persists when attempting to start in neutral. I installed a new PATS transceiver hoping it was that but still nothing. I only have one key and it stared the car the day before the trouble and is not damaged. I tried another good battery with no results. Any suggestions/tests I can try on a severely limited budget?
Thank you
Find someone with a scan tool that can read codes in the BCM (body control module).
If code B1601 is present then the PATS system is able to read the key but because of the previous low battery issue, it lost its programming of the key's transponder ID.
Solution is to buy a good, new battery for your Explorer so this won't happen again and then get the key reprogrammed into the PATS
Well, those old things that horrible anti-theft systems in yours is breaking down. In order to analyze that stuff, you need a relatively high level scan tool. I doubt if you want to spend a thousand bucks or more on that. So I would say find local locksmiths in your area who work on those things. Many will come to your house and fix them. I knew a guy in Houston did it for 75 bucks. That's not a bad deal if you can find a guy like him in your area
