2014 Ford Explorer ignition, key, or anti theft preventing engine start?

I can't start my car. AAA Battery test reads full charge.

The key seems to be ignored when turning the ignition. No lights come on. Yet, the displays/screens work when the doors open, and the radio, Windows, locks, and tailgate all work. Key fob works with locks just fine.

The viper remote-start started the engine as we started to troubleshoot. But, when I inserted the key the engine shut off and has never started since.

I think it's a chip/key problem based on what I've read. Any ideas?

Does sound like the key transponder is no longer being recognized by the module.

Ideas? There are no magical 'just push this' fixes. Take it to a competent dealership or automotive electrician. Tell them what it is doing, and if that is indeed the problem, they will order a new key from Ford, then use a scan tool to code the new 'blank' key to your vehicle. No, you can't use a cheap nasty little obd2 code reader from Pep-boys to encode a blank transponder key.

Or if it is something else (e.g. A faulty module) they will diagnose the root cause and repair it. Or if they are incompetent, they will replace thousands of dollars of parts, scratch their heads and give you back your car, telling you 'we don't know'.

Get a locksmith or dealer to reflash the PCM.

Thanks guys for confirming my suspicions. Much appreciated. I will update this post once I have a solution.