Normal Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Ford Ranger. 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. This indicator proves out for 3 seconds when the key is turned to the ON or START position under normal operation then go out to indicate the PATS is functional and the vehicle has been enabled. 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. If the vehicle is not equipped with PATS, the anti-theft indicator will flash every 2 seconds for 10 seconds, then it will go out and stay off with the key in the OFF position. With a non-PATS vehicle and with the key in the ON position, the anti-theft indicator will prove-out for 3 seconds, then go out to indicate the vehicle has been enabled. If the vehicle is equipped with PATS or is not equipped with PATS, the anti-theft indicator operation is controlled by the instrument cluster.

Possible Causes

Instrument cluster