Bought a cobra couple months back and parked it in a garage. Buffed it today and went to pull outside for pics and battery was dead. So there was a spare laying around and it got swapped it. Get in and it fired up only to shut off a few seconds later. Theft light will blink when door gets opened. However you can move the door to a certain spot and the light will go away but still no start. I tried disconnecting the battery. using the remote. using the key. nothing works. And its not the original ford key that I have. Any ideas?
97 cobra no start
- Thread starter 89notched
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blackfang
Founding Member
I would look at the PATS and the key not being original. Sounds like the ECM is seeing this and shutting the car off.
wmburns
SN Certified Technician
First and most important. Is the battery FULLY CHARGED and the battery cables clean and tight? Do you self a favor and don't cut any corners here. Today's computer controled cars simply can not work right without a strong battery and charging system.
Remember that often the anti-theft system will respond to battery removal by activating the PATS system. Hence why a weak battery could cause the PATS to be tripped over and over again.
Remove everything from the key. No key rings. Nothing.
Unlock/lock/unlock the driver's door with the key. Not a bad idea to use the remote key FOB as well.
Turn the key on but do not crank. Does the theft light go off after a 3 second "prove out"? If not, STOP and find out why.
Attempt to crank the car. Does the theft light come on during cranking? If so, STOP and find out why.
Some model years will display a "blink code" if there is a PATS problem.
Remember that often the anti-theft system will respond to battery removal by activating the PATS system. Hence why a weak battery could cause the PATS to be tripped over and over again.
Remove everything from the key. No key rings. Nothing.
Unlock/lock/unlock the driver's door with the key. Not a bad idea to use the remote key FOB as well.
Turn the key on but do not crank. Does the theft light go off after a 3 second "prove out"? If not, STOP and find out why.
Attempt to crank the car. Does the theft light come on during cranking? If so, STOP and find out why.
Some model years will display a "blink code" if there is a PATS problem.
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