Normal Operation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Mercury Mariner and 2008 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The passive anti-theft system (PATS) uses a visual anti-theft indicator located in the instrument cluster (IC). This indicator proves out for 3 seconds when the key is turned to the ON or START position under normal operation. If there is a PATS concern, this indicator either flashes rapidly or glows steadily (for more than 3 seconds) when the key is turned to the ON or the START position. PATS also flashes the anti-theft indicator every 2 seconds at key off to act as a visual theft deterrent. The anti-theft indicator operation is controlled by the IC.
This pinpoint test is intended to diagnose the following:
- Starting system concern
- PATS concern