02 Mercury Cougar PATS

I'm in the process of installing a Python 1400xpl into my '02 Mercury Cougar.  I've not yet connected the doors or hatch, just the parts for the remote start.  I have installed a 555F as well as an attempt to bypass the PATS.  Unfortunately, the car will not remote start.  It WILL start remotely if there is a key in the ignition.  I have followed all of the instructions included with the 555f and the tips I've read here on the2volt.  I still get the same result.  When I attempt to start the vehicle, I get three red blinks on the anti-theft indicator, clicks from the remote start unit, and nothing from the starter.  I've tried about 30 times to get the 555f programed correctly.  I have 2 keys, and I've been attempting to program it using both of them, as instructed.  My chief concern is that not only will it not remote start with the capsule next to the antenna ring, but even if I hold it right in front of the keyhole, it still won't start.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Eric

I am NOT a DEI guy, but is this the one with the pellet? I have read on a few posts here that moving the pellet around to different spots may help.

If its NOT......sorry for the post!

Yes this is the one with the pellet.  I take the pellet and hold it parallel to the key with the wires facing the "tip of the key" side of the ignition, and the led looking side towards the keyhole side.  I make sure that the head of the pellet is all the way to the front of the key cylinder.  Then I insert one key and turn to run.  I wait till the security light goes out, then remove the key.  I immediately insert the other key (not on the same key ring) and do the same thing.  Then after removing the second key I position the pellet in front of the key hole and try the remote start.  I've also tried positioning it just about everywhere else.

cntrylvr79, have you ever had the 555P not work on a cougar?  Do you know what the difference between the two modules is beyond a different chip?

Has anyone else had sucess with a 555P in the same/simliar application?

My decision that things were installed correctly and "working great"  was premature.  I hadn't had the time to look at it again but here's the low down:  I used a 555p to bypass the pats.  I programed it, and it remote started correctly.  Once.  It wouldn't remote start again.  It wouldn't remote start with a key sitting in the ignition either.  It would still start with the key.  I tried programing it again, and it was able to start remotely again.  Once.  I couldn't figure out what was going on, and in my frustration I tried programing it a third time thinking that I must be doing something wrong.  Now it won't remote start.  Not even once right after programing.  Has anyone run into this before?  Does anyone have any ideas as to what I should be checking / changing?  Many thanks.