99 Ranger: ANTI-THEFT module killing ignition?

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fixizin - 31 Mar 2008 07:16 GMT

-->1999 Ranger XL 4x4 Supercab 3.0L "v"VIN (Flex-Fuel) 5-speed manual

Gang, yes, I've got a related thread going "Engine cuts out randomly, NO
codes, NO MIL", but I'VE GOT A NEW CLUE--> anti-theft indicator light
behavior!

... and the usenet kommissars always go berserk when I change the subject
line in the middle of a thread so I've "forked" this one... I'll report
back to the original thread too.

Anyway, El Ranger-o had another fainting spell, at steady speed, 45mph, 4th
gear... same thing, TACH DROPS TO ZERO... I coast to a left-turn cut-out,
immediate re-start fails... sit for 3 minutes, starts up just fine, but...
THE "THEFT" LIGHT IS ON SOLID. (Never saw/noticed that in previous
episodes.) I'm back in traffic, driving along, "THEFT" stays on solid for
about a minute, then BLINKS for approx. 1-2 minutes before going out. All
the while engine is purring along like nothing happened. I gotta keep my
eyes on the road so I don't know if it was blinking out a code sequence...
DOES IT DO THAT?

Does anyone know the skinny on the anti-theft system? (Seems like once it
lets you start the engine it should GTF outta the way, eh?) OBD-II scanner
was hooked up at the time, NO CODES, same-o.

Just dropped $26 for the Chilton's on CD, and Duh Dang thang doesn't even
MENTION the anti-theft system! Neither does Haynes. Bloody hell, does the
Helm manual? Anyone know where to get one?

Thanks in advance, The game is rigged, the Fix izz in... FoMoCo are mofos.

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I. Care - 31 Mar 2008 16:50 GMT

> -->1999 Ranger XL 4x4 Supercab 3.0L "v"VIN (Flex-Fuel) 5-speed manual
>
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance, The game is rigged, the Fix izz in... FoMoCo are mofos.

Not sure if you have seen the PATS information in this PDF file. It
doesn't mention activation while driving but, some of your other
symptoms may be here.

http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/9497faq/tsb/tsb/files/010602.pdf

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I. Care
Address fake until the SPAM goes away ;-}

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Dave and Trudy - 01 Apr 2008 07:22 GMT

> -->1999 Ranger XL 4x4 Supercab 3.0L "v"VIN (Flex-Fuel) 5-speed manual

///snipped///

> Does anyone know the skinny on the anti-theft system? (Seems like once it
> lets you start the engine it should GTF outta the way, eh?) OBD-II
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance, The game is rigged, the Fix izz in... FoMoCo are mofos.

I hope this is applicable. Some years back(about 1991), one of my work crew
had the same problem with his Ranger. It was about two years old at the
time. The anti-theft device had a removable part (looked like a hair
pick/remember the "afros"), when removed from its socket it disabled the
ignition. It had many edge connectors on it and over time the whole set up
had loosened enough to allow it to disconnect randomly. Drove us crazy for
about two weeks. The system was dealer installed and not provided by Ford.
There was nothing in any manual about it either, obviously. This might be a
part of your problem.... Hope this helps and good luck.

Dave D

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fixizin - 09 Apr 2008 08:36 GMT

> -->1999 Ranger XL 4x4 Supercab 3.0L "v"VIN (Flex-Fuel) 5-speed manual

Yep, the DPFE (Differential Pressure Feedback EGR) sensor was the culprit!
It's up-top and easy to replace. (Turns out it WAS related to the P0401
code, as the DPFE is the main determinant of how far to open the EGR.)

Still doesn't explain the behavior of the "THEFT" light, but hey, it's
running reliably now (and SMOOTHLY, no longer too LEAN), so the anti-theft
anomaly will have to be filed under "FoMoCo Mysteries"... lol.

Thanks for all the feedback, Fixizin

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