1996 Starts, but doesn't run.

96SN95 · Feb 24, 2010

Hey guys, I just removed a pain in the arse aftermarket alarm/remote start/keylesss entry system. I disconnected the batt. before I started and was careful only to remove wires that were part of the system. I took care to inspect and repair any insulation and conductor damage done to the cars wiring where tapped into for the aftermarket system.

Now, The car will start but when I release the key to run position, it will stop running within a second. Seems to cut out like ignition shuts down or IMMEDIATE loss of fuel.

I am not positive that the problem even relates to the removal of the aftermarket crap. I hadn't started the car for at least 3 weeks before removing the aftermarket stuff.

Any ideas??

CC'S95GT · Feb 24, 2010

i'm thinking there is prob a wire or 2 under the dash that has been cut and spliced.
look in the haynes manual for the engine start/run diagram.
find the wire for the run circuit and make sure it's not cut under the dash somewhere.
that will at least get you started

98green5.4 · Feb 24, 2010

sounds like there is some of the system still left to me. i know i have removed a ton of those systems that have millions of never ending small wires of all colors. sometimes it happens to me and usually for me there is some more of the system left. dunno if that's your problem, just what i have experienced in the past.
-Blake

duff daddy · Feb 24, 2010

you may have effeded the pats setup.

--moving this to general tech, not 4.6 specific

96SN95 · Feb 25, 2010

If the PATS was affected, the car wouldn't even start.....would it?

I re-checked all the underdash wiring and the wiring to the Factory keyless module, all look good.

Next up I'm going to check the Factory alarm module, where in the heck is that located??

pmot · Mar 1, 2010

It would start but wouldn't run for more than one or two seconds.

pmot · Mar 1, 2010

Similar thing happened to me
http://sn95forums.com/index.php/topic,44562.msg747020.html#msg747020

96SN95 · Mar 5, 2010

Figured it out! AND yes a messed up PATS system will allow the car to start, but only run for about a second.

When I removed the aftermarket alarm/remote start I removed the PATS over-ride relay (under the dash) and magnetic sensor (fastened to the ign. key cylinder housing in the column). The mag. sensor was fastened to the housing with a zip tie right with the PATS resistor pick-up. The installer also used another zip tie around the resistor pick-up (that appeared to be part of the pick-up) that I thought was a factory installed part. The pressure it was putting on the pick-up was causing in-correct resistance readings, which made the PATS incorrectly think I was using an in-valid key.

I carefully cut and removed the corrupting zip tie....and sure enough she started and ran fine!! It took some time to find the problem, but it was fun figuring it out and learning. Hope this may help someone else.

96SN95 · Mar 5, 2010

By the way if you have a messed up PATS or just want to disable it, you can buy the relay and mag senor. It just requires you to tap into 2 of the cars wires, and I think both were going to the ign. switch. Then simply mount the mag. sensor.