Ok I had a fun experience yesterday. I was leaving a company event that was up in the Hill Country. One of my co-workers was effectively locked out of his car. I say effectively because the passive anti-theft device didn’t recognize his key so it refused to start. We were about 15 miles from a town and about 100 miles from home. Heck of a long way for a tow.
I went back to the office and did some look ups on The Google. First thing I found was this from About.com
If it is the Ford Passive Anti Theft System (key operated) there is no way to disable it outside of using the proper key or by programming two new keys with an NGS tester or WDS tester. Ford Motor Company will not release information concerning the harness that runs from the PATS halo around ignition switch to the PATS module or PCM if PATS is integrated. Most common concerns are with the PATS ring that sits around the ignition switch, the keys themselves, or aftermarket remote start systems.
That didn’t sound good. Then I kept reading. It turns out the above only really applies if you don’t have a Ford Key (Which he had). I found a site about 5 pages in (And everyone says no one reads past the first page of results).
With the following instructions:
1. Insert new key into ignition cylinder and turn it to the ON (RUN) position. The security light on the dash will flash for fifteen minutes.
2. When the security light stops flashing, you have FIVE minutes to start the next step. Turn the ignition cylinder OFF and then back to the ON (RUN) position. The security light on the dash will flash for fifteen more minutes.
3. When the security light stops flashing, you have FIVE minutes to start the next step. Turn the ignition cylinder to OFF and then back ON (RUN) position. The dash will flash for fifteen more minutes.
4. After the security light stops flashing the third time, the new key has been programmed into the vehicles computer and will operate the car. It has replaced ALL the previous electronic key codes and is the ONLY key programmed into the vehicles computer.
Yup - that’s right - you just have to spend 45 minutes setting the key. Which we did. And it worked! Please note: This car is old and newer models now actually require a dongle to do this.
The point of my story is this - when you give the key to someone to unlock something and wave your hands and say - you can only access that thing when we want you to - the Internet will eventually remove your ability to stop the person with the key. It you look at pretty much every DRM solution out there - this is the boat they are in - sucks to be them :)
