No Key Detected?
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 345
Likes: 21
From: Galveston, Texas
No Key Detected?
Several times now when i have gone to start my truck, it says 'no key detected' and will not start. Normally i can get it to start but tonight i couldn't. Dealer is having me bring it in tomorrow to check it out. Anyone else have this problem? All of my functions still work on the remote, so i know its not the battery...Ive even tried putting it in the key fob holder in the console but that doesn't even seem to work.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Upstate, NY
Where is the key when you’re having this issue? If it’s in your pocket near something which could cause interference (such as a phone or a transponder equipped key from another vehicle), that could be the cause.
I consistently experience this in my Mercedes if I have the Mercedes key in the same pocket as my Jeep key.
I consistently experience this in my Mercedes if I have the Mercedes key in the same pocket as my Jeep key.
New User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Bonnyville
Re: No Key Detected
I have been having this as well, I don't have anything near the key or it is in the cup holder and it'll come up on the dash no key detected, sometimes the remote won't unlock the doors then it'll work fine, it's kind of annoying! I'd like to know if the battery loses contact like a TV remote you need to tap it or something to get it to work or my batteries are just duds?
Oh and for reference I have a 2017 F-350 Platinum Crew short 4x4 built the week of April 3rd
Oh and for reference I have a 2017 F-350 Platinum Crew short 4x4 built the week of April 3rd
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 227
Likes: 33
Interference
this is caused by interference in radio transmission between the fob and truck. There is a spot under your cup holder, or section in front of it, to place the fob in to start the truck when in this condition. Normally there is nothing to do to resolve in that it is caused by interference.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 4
On the Explorer forums, we have found some car chargers for your cell and some invertors cause this to happen. As soon as they unplug it, it works fine. Something to check next time it happens.. is there anything plugged in..
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 634
Likes: 2
I have to replace my FOB battery already after only a few months. I plan to keep a bunch of spare batteries in the truck incase it happens again.
Btw, the Ford Owner's Manual is wrong at what battery number it is....I learned the hard way. It's best to crack yours open and see for yourself what battery it takes.
Btw, the Ford Owner's Manual is wrong at what battery number it is....I learned the hard way. It's best to crack yours open and see for yourself what battery it takes.
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New User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Bonnyville
good to know!! All I have plugged in is my factory iPhone cord to the USB outlet, that should be safe I'd think?
Senior User
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
From: Southwest PA
I actually just experienced this, but am pretty sure I figured it out in my case. I went to the supply store and purchased a bag of nuts/bolts/washers. Came out got in truck and threw them in the console. When I got to my destination, I tried to lock the truck by touching the door handle and it would not lock. It was raining and wet, so I didn't think anything of it and locked it with the keypad on the door.
When I came back out, it would not unlock either by touching the door handle or using the fob. I unlocked with the keypad, now annoyed (and wet) and got in. Went to start and got no key detected. Took key out of my pocket, still no key detected. Never had any problems before. Was going to try putting the fob in the cubby in the console and picked up the large bag of bolts. Light bulb went off upstairs and I tried starting it. Fired right up. Played with it and could duplicate issue.
Haven't had an issue since.
When I came back out, it would not unlock either by touching the door handle or using the fob. I unlocked with the keypad, now annoyed (and wet) and got in. Went to start and got no key detected. Took key out of my pocket, still no key detected. Never had any problems before. Was going to try putting the fob in the cubby in the console and picked up the large bag of bolts. Light bulb went off upstairs and I tried starting it. Fired right up. Played with it and could duplicate issue.
Haven't had an issue since.
New User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Santa Maria
I have learned that is, if the key is not inside the cab of the truck, it will not start. I have a habit of sticking my key fob in the door slot under the handle. I have had to the door open and the truck said "No Key Detected". When I closed the door of the truck guess what, it started. So I no longer try and start the truck unless the key is in my pocket or I close the truck door. I am guessing there is some kind of energy field( could not think a a better idea 
) that can detect whether the key is in the cab of the truck and with the door open it conceited outside the truck.
) that can detect whether the key is in the cab of the truck and with the door open it conceited outside the truck.
New User
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Kept getting the message "Key Not Detected" when I tried starting my pickup. Went through the owners manual and tried all the trouble shooting hints on google. Nothing worked. Batters are good in both key fobs, all the functions work on them. Looked at fuses, found the key holder hidden in my cab, by the way Ford I have a bench seat no center council so it is under the middle seat, need to update your manual. I tried everything, than it dawned on me, my cell phone had slipped between my passenger side seat and center seat when I got home from work earlier and I remembered feeling a wire harness down their when I pulled it out. Sure as sh&$, that plug was not all the latched in, pushed it in until it clicked and it started right up. Make sure that connection is good. I imagine it never got fully seated during assembly and that would explain the intermittent no key detected crap I have been having. Hope this helps someone else.
jasonk
jasonk
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 90
Likes: 4
start malfunction
ran into this issue twice in the last 2 days. both in front of a convenience store, lots of lights message board and such. had to have the fob in the console. clerk knew of the problem and said it only happens to fords not gm or dodge. ford has a problem with proper control of external radio wave interference. what if you need to get to the doc and did not know about this problem or something worse. looks like this has been going on for some time. Good luck everyone.