[Reset]

Hey guys, it's been a really long time. I've been really busy with college this year and stuff. Anyway, i go to start my car last night to grab some late night food and it wont start (the engine won't even turn over). I know i have a little under a 1/4 of a tank of gas.. and i didn't use the battery after turning off my engine last time so i don't know why the battery would be dead.

So anyway, i go to try again today (thinking maybe it was just the cold) and i noticed that the "THEFT" light is blinking rapidly when i try to start the car. Is that normal or does that mean that somehow my key isn't being registered as legitimate and it thinks i'm trying to steal it?

I REALLY need to get my car started by saturday (i'm going home for winter break, 4 hours away).

Anyone have any suggestions about what is causing this or what i can do?

Thanks, look forward to hearing from everyone.

BTW it's an 01 GT

[GTsetGO]

does it still show your mileage on the odometer or is it just a bunch of dashes?

[MATT02GT]

Still could be the battery, Id take it out and get it tested. And check your battery terminals for corrosion also.

[Reset]

there is actually a lot of corrosion on my battery (i think the negative side, not sure)
could that be the cause?

It is showing my mileage on the odometer.

[GTsetGO]

sounds like the PATS. computer isn't recognizing the chip in the key.

do you have your spare with you?

[Reset]

also, what can i do about the corrosion? Myself... because i can't take it anywhere at this point.

[Reset]

I don't have a spare key, it was like 130 dollars or something and i have an extra remote but no key.

[GTsetGO]

Originally Posted by Reset also, what can i do about the corrosion? Myself... because i can't take it anywhere at this point.

what kind of cleaning stuff do you have at your place?

[Reset]

Originally Posted by GTsetGO what kind of cleaning stuff do you have at your place?

nothing i'm living in dorms but i can go buy some stuff. i just meant i cant drive the car somewhere to have someone do it.

[GTsetGO]

steel wool will work. you will need a screw driver to get the cable off.

[Reset]

but the theft light is flashing rapidly when i try to start it... so isn't it the PATS and not the corrosion?

[GTsetGO]

i would say it's the pats. do you have a tuner/chip on the car or no?

[Reset]

nope, it's all stock except for my cobra clutch and CAI.
shit so what can i do?

[GTsetGO]

hmmm, i was going to say you could turn the pats off with the tuner. but that's out the window.

try disconnecting the battery for about 30 minutes and then rehook it up. if that doesn't do it, then it is going to be a dealer thing.

[Reset]

alright i'll try that, thanks for the advice.

[GTsetGO]

no problem. let us know how it turns out

[RyanGT]

Could clean it with baking soda. Think that cleans battery corrosion well. (grinding it off works best).

[ajm]

as ryangt said use some bakingsoda + water mix for the corrosion. Coke will work as well if youre in that much of a bind. Or be creative all you really need is a fluid that is a base.

[Reset]

ok well i scraped off a lot of the corrosion on the negative connector.

i disconnected the battery for an hour or so and then reconnected it, and same thing.. flashing THEFT symbol and it won't turn over

I'm thinkin about calling ford.

any ideas?

[GTsetGO]

pats problem is the call. call the dealer and see what you need to do.