Security!?

[05turboturdvert]

I got this 98 mustang 3.8 V6 bought it from a coworker. From what his grand father told me is it won't start due to some form of security issue. Now I already have a couple concerns with that but I've dealt with mid 90s security issues before but on a jeep. Question be where to start digging. Should I go straight to the module or look into the fuses and relays neutral safety switch or a clutch position sensor? What concerns me the most is if its a module issue is it better to remove it entirely or just replace it and have it reprogrammed? It has two keys and neither of them do much from what he told me. My memory aint the best so I'm digging thru memories and texts to type this up. I've already priced the sensors and relays ill be ordering here soon. I did buy a bulk assortment of fuses in multiple sizes and ratings. I found a schematic for the fuse panel and located the fuses to look at first. But right now im curious if anyone has had a similar issue and can maybe point me in a direction. Any help is appreciated and yall have a good one now

 

[07GtS197]

Put a scanner on it and check for codes. I had an intermittent crank no start issue with a flashing theft light in a previous 02 gt. It threw a code for the pats antenna. It ended up being cracked making intermittent contact.

 

[05turboturdvert]

Put a scanner on it and check for codes. I had an intermittent crank no start issue with a flashing theft light in a previous 02 gt. It threw a code for the pats antenna. It ended up being cracked making intermittent contact.

Thats actually a good idea I don't know why that never crossed my mind I'll check the codes and see what its saying.

 

[ttocs]

check the drivers kick or the panel below the steering wheel for aftermarket wiring, follow it to the module. If the wiring is not a huge mess programming a new one is not that hard if you get the make/model of the alarm

 

[05turboturdvert]

check the drivers kick or the panel below the steering wheel for aftermarket wiring, follow it to the module. If the wiring is not a huge mess programming a new one is not that hard if you get the make/model of the alarm

I really appreciate the help once I make my way to the car this week I'll be sure to look in to that

 

[05turboturdvert]

Update! I had a little time today to mess with the mustang, and I got it cranking but not firing over. From what a friend and I have concluded that it's the PATS. I got two keys and 2 PATS antennas; one key works and the other is for looks. After trying a security reset, you know leaving the key turned to acc. we finally got it to at least try to start but no luck That starter will run all day if I wanted but it won't actually fire over. We did our fair share of digging thru wires and checking fuses but no luck on that front either. From what I gathered in other forums, it will need a tune to disable. My honest question is where I find said tune and how would I go about flashing it to the ecu. I guess what I'm asking is what's a good software or how do I flash an ecu? I know this is confusing topic and wording, but I have no idea. My issue yeah, I could pay someone else do it, but I want to learn how. I know that makes no sense, but I really just want the experience and the knowledge. So just bear with me on this and no I don't have to be the one to do this, but the challenge would be nice. As always, any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[ttocs]

is the security led flashing on the dash?

 

[05turboturdvert]

Update! I had a little time today to mess with the mustang, and I got it cranking but not firing over. From what a friend and I have concluded that it's the PATS. I got two keys and 2 PATS antennas; one key works and the other is for looks. After trying a security reset, you know leaving the key turned to acc. we finally got it to at least try to start but no luck That starter will run all day if I wanted but it won't actually fire over. We did our fair share of digging thru wires and checking fuses but no luck on that front either. From what I gathered in other forums, it will need a tune to disable. My honest question is where I find said tune and how would I go about flashing it to the ecu. I guess what I'm asking is what's a good software or how do I flash an ecu? I know this is confusing topic and wording, but I have no idea. My issue yeah, I could pay someone else do it, but I want to learn how. I know that makes no sense, but I really just want the experience and the knowledge. So just bear with me on this and no I don't have to be the one to do this, but the challenge would be nice. As always, any help would be greatly appreciated

Also the only wire based issue was the wires for the brake light switch. Looks like that will eventually be issue one day. So any advice on what to do there would also be greatly appreciated.

 

[05turboturdvert]

is the security led flashing on the dash?

It did at first, after leaving the key turned and a good battery with new terminals it then started slow flash. It then started to flash twice then no light for a second then flash two more times. I left the key turned a bit longer then it stopped flashing entirely. It looked like we fixed it.

 

[ttocs]

so now when you start it the security led isn't flashing while cranking?

 

[05turboturdvert]

so now when you start it the security led isn't flashing while cranking?

Basically its only doing it when I first put the key in, but i can leave the key turned to acc. and after about maybe 10 minutes and the light goes off and doesn't come back on until I reset the key

 

[ttocs]

I never messed with pats. I thought you had to leave the master key in for a while, then switch to program a new key? I have also heard a tuner can turn it off but I can't confirm ever doing it myself. The aftermarket stuff is normally pretty easy to get around, pats is a little more difficult now with parts hard to come by.

 

[05turboturdvert]

I never messed with pats. I thought you had to leave the master key in for a while, then switch to program a new key? I have also heard a tuner can turn it off but I can't confirm ever doing it myself. The aftermarket stuff is normally pretty easy to get around, pats is a little more difficult now with parts hard to come by.

Yeah I've been having trouble finding parts cause I honestly wanted to keep the key fob in working order but doesn't seem like that is going to happen. I called ford dealership but they don't touch cars 20 years or older so I'm only left with the option to delete it. I did manage to locate a shop that can disable it for $85 but the car is located in a completely different county from the shop. But me and the old owner are going to talk about a plan next time we work together. One idea I had was renting a U-Haul truck and trailer because I know where the is located close to another U-Haul drop off. If my memory serves we should only need the truck and trailer to get there we can drive the mustang back if it works.

 

[ttocs]

the tuners are never close, or if they are they are not any good and you have to consider going somewhere else further away when they are close....

 

[05turboturdvert]

the tuners are never close, or if they are they are not any good and you have to consider going somewhere else further away when they are close....

Yeah, I did call the shop that done the 3inch exhaust on my pt cruiser and unfortunately, they said they can't do but recommended another shop. When I heard how much they charged I decided to do some digging on this. I heard about another shop charging only $85, I was at work actually helping one of their employees. So, it works out working at parts store sometimes.

 

[Fawls]

Plenty of vids on YouTube about the pats, always a good source for ideas.

Like this one?

 

[05turboturdvert]

Okay, I have been doing some more work on the mustang. I plugged in my scanner and it told me the car was actually a 99 model. So I got curious and scanned the vin on to my Advance Auto app and it also said it was a 99 model. I was originally told the car was a 98 by the old owner and his grandfather. what should I go by?

 

[05turboturdvert]

I have been watching videos and reading every forum that says crank no start. I'm starting to think that would be easier and cheaper to just do the engine swap I have planned and doing an aftermarket ECU. I was hoping to save the build for after my current build. But I've got 2-3 more ideas to try before renting a truck and trailer from U-Haul. Found one video where a guy rubbed his keys on one of the back speaker's magnets and it worked just fine. Saw another where he swapped out a 20-amp maxi fuse for a 30-amp maxi fuse and his fired right up after that. Seen another video where his wouldn't even show the mileage but did the 10-minute key in reset trick and it worked fine. Now I should mention that I leave the key in the car with it turned to acc. while I work on the mustang. Every time I notice the theft light isn't flashing or on, I give it a try. Obviously, it doesn't work but I try. Also keep in mind that I have the key like that for hours. I go over to work on the car, it's around 11 AM and i leave the car around 3:30 to go to work. My car has been showing me the mileage but showing theft light.

 

[ttocs]

it could be as simple as a bad connection at the harness for the antenna around the ignition. Sometimes corrosion will build up over time and that can effect it and often just disconnecting it and reconnecting it will clean the contacts enough to help it work. I am not sure how putting the key on the speaker would effect anything but ya never know, electronics is part black magic....

 

[05turboturdvert]

it could be as simple as a bad connection at the harness for the antenna around the ignition. Sometimes corrosion will build up over time and that can effect it and often just disconnecting it and reconnecting it will clean the contacts enough to help it work. I am not sure how putting the key on the speaker would effect anything but ya never know, electronics is part black magic....

Boy ain't that the truth. I'm going to give every idea a shot cause I'd like to stay under $600 for all this. I did clean the maf senser and put a new air filter. the old looked very worn. Looked like the engine tried to eat it, part of it was crushed and had a hole in it. We did manage to test everything else out. everything works but the car apparently. The radio, A/C, windows, power seat, headlights, taillights, turn signals, hell even the horn works. But me and my buddy are going to see about a day we can get over there to mess with it some more