Pinpoint Test B: DTC B1600 - Passive Anti-Theft System (Pats) Ignition Key Transponder Signal Is Not Received

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis and 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. 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 PATS ignition key may cause vehicle starting problems 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 concern if they are too close to the key during engine start. If a concern occurs, turn the ignition OFF 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 a Ford approved, encoded ignition key. (Rotunda, Huf and Strattec are the only approved encoded ignition keys.)

B1 RETRIEVE THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCs)
- Key in ON position.
- Clear the continuous 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 other than PATS PCM DTCs are retrieved, REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE article. If no PATS DTCs are retrieved, the PATS is OK.
B2 CHECK THE OPERATION WITH A NEW ENCODED IGNITION KEY
NOTE: Check to make sure the customer keys and the new PATS keys are approved Ford encoded PATS keys. Unapproved PATS keys do not always operate correctly over different temperature ranges. (PATS keys from Rotunda, Huf or Strattec are approved Ford PATS 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 PCM Continuous 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 other than PATS PCM DTCs are retrieved, REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE article.

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

No : The system is OK.
B4 CHECK FOR CORRECT PCM 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 .

PROGRAM the encoded ignition keys. REFER to KEY PROGRAMMING USING DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT . CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the PCM 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.