B1600Anti-Theft

PATS Transponder Signal Not Received

B1600 indicates the passive anti-theft system did not receive a transponder signal from the key. The antenna could not read the key chip, so the engine may not start.

🚗 Often not, since the anti-theft system may block starting without a valid transponder.

MEDIUM

severity

🎯 Top Causes, Ranked by Likelihood

#1Faulty transceiver/antenna ring$100-$350

40%

The antenna around the ignition fails to read the key.

#2Damaged or non-transponder key$50-$300

30%

A key without a working chip is not detected.

#3Wiring fault to the antenna$50-$250

20%

A broken wire stops communication with the antenna.

🩺 Common Symptoms

Crank but no-start
Theft light on
Key not detected
Intermittent starting

💰 Repair Cost: DIY vs Shop

DIY Cost

$50-$300

Shop Cost

$150-$450

📋 Free OBD2 Code Cheat Sheet

The 50 most common codes with likely cause and DIY fix cost. Sent once, no spam.

🔧 How to Diagnose B1600

1Try a known-good key

2Inspect the antenna ring and its connector

3Check wiring to the transceiver

4Replace the antenna ring if the key and wiring are good

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does B1600 mean?

The anti-theft system got no signal from the key transponder, often a failed antenna ring.

Can a metal key fob cover cause B1600?

Rarely, but interference or a damaged key can prevent the read.

How do I fix B1600?

Test with a good key, then repair or replace the ignition antenna ring.

🔗 Related Codes

B1602B2799B2960U0155