B1600 on Ford
PATS Ignition Key Transponder Signal Is Not Received
B1600 on Ford vehicles indicates pats ignition key transponder signal is not received. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Ford model — most commonly on F-150. A Ford (also Lincoln/Mercury and some Mazda) body code for the PATS passive anti-theft system. The PATS module received no transponder signal at all from the ignition key during the start sequence — either the key has no working chip, or the antenna/transceiver ring around the ignition lock cylinder never picked it up. PATS disables fuel and spark (not the starter), so the engine cranks normally but will not start or will start and immediately stall, and the theft/security light stays on or flashes rapidly. Typical repair costs on Ford range from $100 to $500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of B1600
- •Damaged or dead transponder chip inside the key (the single most common cause)
- •Using a non-transponder, aftermarket, or unprogrammed key, or a physically damaged key head
- •Faulty or unplugged transceiver antenna ring at the ignition lock cylinder
- •Damaged wiring or a poor connection between the antenna ring and the PATS module/instrument cluster
- •Interference from a second transponder key or metal object on the same keyring
- •Failed PATS module / instrument cluster
B1600 on Ford by Model
Ford F-150(1 issue)
- PATS Anti-Theft No-Start — Cranks but Won't Start with Theft Light Flashing1997-2004
The Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) on these trucks disables fuel/injection when the PCM cannot verify the key transponder, leaving the truck cranking but not starting with the dash theft/security light flashing rapidly. Common triggers are a worn or dead key transponder, a loose or damaged transceiver antenna ring around the ignition cylinder, corroded PCM grounds (water intrusion at the passenger cowl/windshield), or intermittent PCM power. It often starts as an intermittent no-start that worsens.
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What does B1600 mean on Ford?▼
B1600 stands for "PATS Ignition Key Transponder Signal Is Not Received." A Ford (also Lincoln/Mercury and some Mazda) body code for the PATS passive anti-theft system. The PATS module received no transponder signal at all from the ignition key during the start sequence — either the key has no working chip, or the antenna/transceiver ring around the ignition lock cylinder never picked it up. PATS disables fuel and spark (not the starter), so the engine cranks normally but will not start or will start and immediately stall, and the theft/security light stays on or flashes rapidly. On Ford specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes B1600 on Ford vehicles?▼
Common causes on Ford: Damaged or dead transponder chip inside the key (the single most common cause), Using a non-transponder, aftermarket, or unprogrammed key, or a physically damaged key head, Faulty or unplugged transceiver antenna ring at the ignition lock cylinder, Damaged wiring or a poor connection between the antenna ring and the PATS module/instrument cluster, Interference from a second transponder key or metal object on the same keyring. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix B1600 on a Ford?▼
Repair costs on Ford range from $100 to $500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Ford models have B1600 documented?▼
Au7o has documented B1600 on 1 Ford model: F-150.