Smart Key
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2018
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Smart Key
Started noticing key wasn’t working properly particularly with locking the truck the last 2-3 days. So I switched it for the other key thinking a weak battery and same issues continued. Truck is only a couple months old. This evening the truck wouldn’t lock or unlock the doors therefore autostart wouldn’t work. I used the pad to get into the truck and hit the start button but no key was detected. I then tried auto start again it worked and truck started. So I pressed the start button signaling I was in the truck and said no key detected. I pressed the ok button and I was able to drive the truck. If this had not worked I would have tried putting the key in the tray in the console to see what would happen. Obviously I’ll be taking it to the dealer unless someone has a solution. Could it be two bad/weak batteries or a reprogram? Thanks in advance for anyone that can shed some light on this.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
Started noticing key wasn’t working properly particularly with locking the truck the last 2-3 days. So I switched it for the other key thinking a weak battery and same issues continued. Truck is only a couple months old. This evening the truck wouldn’t lock or unlock the doors therefore autostart wouldn’t work. I used the pad to get into the truck and hit the start button but no key was detected. I then tried auto start again it worked and truck started. So I pressed the start button signaling I was in the truck and said no key detected. I pressed the ok button and I was able to drive the truck. If this had not worked I would have tried putting the key in the tray in the console to see what would happen. Obviously I’ll be taking it to the dealer unless someone has a solution. Could it be two bad/weak batteries or a reprogram? Thanks in advance for anyone that can shed some light on this.
Have you tried disconnecting the battery for 5-15 minutes so the system will reset itself? Sometimes the computer in these trucks get confused and need a reboot.
Yes, the batteries in your fobs could weak but if they work after you disconnect the battery, i`d say you might have found your fix. It wouldn`t hurt to try this before taking your vehicle in.
Let us know what happens.
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 38
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It might be something as simple as a system glitch.
Have you tried disconnecting the battery for 5-15 minutes so the system will reset itself? Sometimes the computer in these trucks get confused and need a reboot.
Yes, the batteries in your fobs could weak but if they work after you disconnect the battery, i`d say you might have found your fix. It wouldn`t hurt to try this before taking your vehicle in.
Let us know what happens.
Have you tried disconnecting the battery for 5-15 minutes so the system will reset itself? Sometimes the computer in these trucks get confused and need a reboot.
Yes, the batteries in your fobs could weak but if they work after you disconnect the battery, i`d say you might have found your fix. It wouldn`t hurt to try this before taking your vehicle in.
Let us know what happens.
Senior User
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
From: Southwest PA
You don't have anything in the tray in the console that could be blocking the signal do you? I experienced something very similar to what you are describing in my 2017 KR, and when I went to put the fob in the tray and picked up the 3 lb bag of stainless steel bolts I had sat there I tried again and it worked. I tried several times and could replicate it not working by placing the bag of bolts back in the console directly on top of the spot you put the fob if the batteries are dead...
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Montreal
I had the same thing occur to me. Only happens when I go to a specific store. I think there may be signal interference which blocks the key functionality. I was not able to lock, unlock or start the truck. Had to place the fob in the tray under console. Tried to replicate at home but could not. Did not happen again until I went to the same store. Really weird. Hope this helps!
Rod.
Rod.
New User
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, Georgia
Reprogram the key & get a spare.
I had a similar problem but just went through the reprogram function and that fixed it. After that, I ordered a third smart key, not just to be safe but when I pull an RV I want a spare key that I leave in the trailer. I once lost a remote key for another vehicle with no backup while 700 miles from home. Cost me much more than a spare key to get back on the road (locksmith, overcharge for a new key (once they found one, etc.). I have also heard of thieves trying to get into some vehicles with smart keys by trying to clone them remotely. Unfortunately it might cause a problem but not sure if that's possible with the Ford products.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 817
Likes: 18
sorry for repeating this question, but does the XL/STX trim level have the 'smart key'? or just a traditional metal key [with buttons in the plastic head to open/close doors] that operates by inserting into the ignition each and every time I need to start the truck...
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
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From: Pflugerville, tx
I had a similar problem but just went through the reprogram function and that fixed it. After that, I ordered a third smart key, not just to be safe but when I pull an RV I want a spare key that I leave in the trailer. I once lost a remote key for another vehicle with no backup while 700 miles from home. Cost me much more than a spare key to get back on the road (locksmith, overcharge for a new key (once they found one, etc.). I have also heard of thieves trying to get into some vehicles with smart keys by trying to clone them remotely. Unfortunately it might cause a problem but not sure if that's possible with the Ford products.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
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From: GA
sorry for repeating this question, but does the XL/STX trim level have the 'smart key'? or just a traditional metal key [with buttons in the plastic head to open/close doors] that operates by inserting into the ignition each and every time I need to start the truck...
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 38
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I went out of town and only tried removing battery for a period of time this week. It seems the issue happens most often when I exit the truck while running with the key in my pocket. I do have a large bundle of keys in my console in the tray above the key fob tray. I’ll try keeping that clear for now and see what happens before heading to the dealer. Thanks for the suggestions.
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