Pinpoint Test B: Non-Pats/Encrypted Key Or Damaged Key

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Large metallic objects, electronic devices on the key chain that can be used to purchase gasoline or similar items, or a second key on the same key ring as the passive anti-theft system (PATS) ignition key may cause vehicle starting concerns and record DTCs under certain conditions. If a fault cannot be identified, examine the customer's key ring for such objects or devices. If present, inform the customer that they need to keep these objects from touching the PATS ignition key while starting the engine. These objects and devices cannot damage the PATS ignition key, but can cause a momentary problem if they are too close to the key during engine start. If a problem occurs, turn the ignition to the OFF position and restart the engine with all other objects on the key ring held away from the ignition key. Check to make sure the encoded ignition key used by the customer is an approved encoded ignition key (encoded ignition keys from Huf, Rotunda, or Strattec are approved encoded ignition keys).

B1 RETRIEVE THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS)
- Connect the diagnostic tool.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the diagnostic tool: CLEAR the PCM DTCs.
- Key in OFF position.
- Key in ON position.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the diagnostic tool: RETRIEVE the PCM DTCs.
- Is DTC B1600 retrieved?
Yes : GO to B2.

No : If DTCs other than PATS PCM DTCs are retrieved, REFER to MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES . If no PATS DTCs are retrieved, the system is OK.
B2 PROGRAM THE NEW ENCODED IGNITION KEY
NOTE: Check to make sure the customer and newly encoded ignition keys are approved encoded PATS ignition keys. Unapproved PATS keys do not always operate correctly over different temperature ranges (encoded ignition keys from Huf, Rotunda, or Strattec are approved encoded ignition keys).
- Cut a new encoded ignition key.
- Program the new encoded ignition key. Refer to KEY PROGRAMMING USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT .
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the diagnostic tool: CLEAR the PCM DTCs.
- Key in OFF position.
- Key in ON position.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the diagnostic tool: RETRIEVE the PCM DTCs.
- Is DTC B1600 present?
Yes : GO to B3.

No : If DTCs other than PATS PCM DTCs are retrieved, REFER to MULTIFUNCTION ELECTRONIC MODULES .

If no PATS DTCs are retrieved, the system is OK.
B3 INSTALL A NEW PATS TRANSCEIVER
NOTE: When a new PCM is installed, the encoded ignition keys must be reprogrammed.
- Key in OFF position.
- Install a new PATS transceiver. Refer to PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (PATS) TRANSCEIVER .
- Key in ON position.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the diagnostic tool: CLEAR the PCM DTCs.
- Enter the following diagnostic mode on the diagnostic tool: RETRIEVE the PCM DTCs.
- Turn the ignition to RUN using an existing customer encoded ignition key.
- Retrieve the PCM continuous DTCs
- Is DTC B1600 retrieved?
Yes : GO to B4.

No : The system is OK.
B4 CHECK THE PCM FOR CORRECT OPERATION
- Disconnect all the PCM connectors.
- Check for:
  - corrosion
  - pushed-out pins
- Connect all the PCM connectors and make sure they seat correctly.
- Operate the system and verify the concern is still present.
- Is the concern still present?
Yes : INSTALL a new PCM. REFER to ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS - 2.3L or ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS - 3.0L (4V) . REPROGRAM the encoded ignition keys. REFER to KEY PROGRAMMING USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT . CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test.

No : The system is operating correctly at this time. The concern may have been caused by a loose or corroded connector. CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the self-test.