Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Description And Operation: Anti-Theft: Notes
The passive anti-theft system (PATS) consists of the following components:
- Anti-theft indicator (located in the instrument cluster [IC])
- Encoded ignition integrated keyhead transmitter (IKT) PATS key(s) (the key contains a transponder and a remote keyless entry [RKE] transmitter)
- PATS transceiver
- IC
- PCM
PATS uses radio frequency identification technology to deter a drive-away theft. Passive means that it does not require any activity by the user.
The vehicle is equipped with 2 IKT PATS keys. The IKTs operate as a standard PATS key with an RKE transmitter incorporated into the keyhead. The IKTs require batteries for the RKE transmitter to operate. A maximum of 4 IKT keys can be programmed to operate the vehicle. If more than 4 IKT keys are programmed, the RKE portion of the additional keys do not operate and the SJB (and the IC) sets a memory full DTC B1138 (Memory Full). These additional keys will start the vehicle, but will not operate the RKE system. If additional PATS keys are desired, a standard PATS key (a non-IKT key) can be used. For the purposes of this information, the PATS portion of the IKT key is referred to as a PATS key.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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