How to clear P1260 error - Theft Detected - Engine Disabled

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File this under "For Future Reference." Maybe it will help somebody in the future.

Vehicle: 2008 Ford E-350 6.0 diesel, but probably applies to many other Ford models that have OBD-II as well.

My SMB sat in cold weather for the last couple weeks over the holidays, and when I went to start it, it wouldn't turn over. Tried a couple times, and on the third try, the gauge needles did a little dance and there was a lot of clicking noises from the dash even after I pulled the key from the ignition. The red anti-theft icon on the dash lit, which is something I hadn't seen before.

Turns out the starter (engine) batteries were low. Because of the low voltage, it apparently made the vehicle computers behave strangely when I tried to start it.

I charged the van with shore power overnight with the separator active, and it did start the next morning, but had the Check Engine Light (CEL) illuminated.

My UltraGauge showed me that the error code was P1260, which means that the Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) has detected a theft attempt and has disabled engine start. Odd, since I could start the van and it ran normally, but the CEL stayed on.

I read about P1260 online and found a lot of BS info about clearing the error by cycling the key in the ignition twice, which didn't work for me. Or disconnecting the battery for an hour and turning the headlights on, where disconnecting the batts on a E-series diesel is a PITA project. I didn't want to do that.

What will clear the error (without taking it to a shop with an OBD reset tool) is to start the engine, drive it for 2 "driving cycles". On the third start, the code should clear itself.

A "driving cycle" is to start the engine, drive it for at least 15 minutes, and shut it down. Repeat this once more and you should be good.

EDIT: The CEL will turn off after 2 driving cycles, but the code will still stay in memory. For how long, I don't know. Found this out by driving it today.

[JWA]

That is helpful to know----first time I've read of such a thing about the E-Series with the PATS feature.

Thanks for sharing!

[boywonder]

Excellent! Great info......now we need someone like carringb to tell us what years and models are likely to have PATS.

I have a 2008 5.4L ....assuming that I have this feature....

[arctictraveller]

I wonder what triggers the PATS mode?

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Originally Posted by arctictraveller

I wonder what triggers the PATS mode?

My theory is that voltage was so low that the PATS sensor in the steering column couldn't detect the chip in my key, but could recognize that the engine was trying to be started, so it threw the P1260 code.

Maybe somebody that knows more than I do could chime in....