Steering Column Repair: Ford Freestar Ignition Switch Replacement, ford freestar, theft deterrent

Question
I recently replaced the whole steering column on a 2005 Ford Freestar. It came with remote and key. I reprogrammed the remote, but when I turn the key, the starter does not engage. I can jump the starter power wire to the solenoid wire and the engine will turn over but not start. This vehicle was stolen and recovered. Does the new key and ignition switch have to be programmed or is ther possibly some form of theft deterrent device active from the previous theft? Thanks

Answer

Typical transceiver (i Hi Terry:
You have diagnosed it correctly.  Your vehicle does have an antitheft system built into the column and key.  Once it's damaged, it needs a new transceiver installed.  that the part that goes around the lock housing that reads the key.  I don't believe you can reprogram the one from the used column.  It has to be new and coded to your vehicle.  It's like a CD, once it's written, it can't be re-written.
So, you will need to contact Ford or a good locksmith, purchase a transceiver, and have the lock recoded to your original key (you need to use your key because the chip in it is made for your vehicle).
Once that is done, then you need to have the transceiver and the original key re-programed to the vehicle's computer.  This is all done with a scan tool that only the dealer or a high end locksmith would have.

Other than that, you did well.

Good luck
Doug