Keyless Start - Reprogramming Key?

[alcad]

I have a 2012 Ford Focus with keyless start and having just swapped the battery in my key fob it no longer works (I do have a spare so no great problem, but I do want to get it working).

Having looked online and the manual I have seen lots of instructions about turning the ignition to position II 4 times etc, the problem I have is that there is no ignition barrel. I did always think it was just hidden behind a plastic cover but having removed the cover there is nothing there!

Does anyone know how to reprogram the key or is it a dealer+£ problem?

[WelshSutty]

Not sure if this can help but try it

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/cat...

[Dogwatch]

alcad said:

having removed the cover there is nothing there!

Better check out my '11 Focus! I too understood there was a key slot under the circular cover on the right hand side of the steering column. If not why do they supply a fold out key? If the fob doesn't work then would the key overide the immobiliser?

In my experience changing fob batteries on an earlier Focus was usually plain sailing though there is always the 'will it/won't it?' moment on the first try. Is the battery in correctly and making good contact? Is the new battery a 'dud'? (They certainly cost enough)

[shoehorn]

For keyless systems to re synchronise the key:
Remove remote from vehicle,lock using the door button.
unlock using a programmed remote or using the key in the lock
switch on ignition while holding lock or unlock of un-synched key.

Or for just re-programming you just press the start button in place of turning the key,with the clutch depressed and follow the instructions as per bladed key.

[alcad]

Thanks for the replies.

I have since found out that though there is no key slot behind the cover where the ignition is you can insert the whole key fob into a space there and the car will read the chip in it and allow you to start the engine. So if your key fob battery is flat you can use the key blade inside the fob to open the door, then slot the fob in the ignition slot and push the start button.

The other thing I have learnt from this is when Mrs Alcad provides me with a replacement battery to check where she has got it from. Has it seems the new one I put in the fob was actually totally flat. No surprise as she has since told me it was from a large blister pack of batteries from the pound shop!

That's why the key wouldn't open the doors or start the car, a decent battery purchase later and it all works fine - No reprogramming needed.

[ckracer76]

shoehorn said:

For keyless systems to re synchronise the key:
Remove remote from vehicle,lock using the door button.
unlock using a programmed remote or using the key in the lock
switch on ignition while holding lock or unlock of un-synched key.

Or for just re-programming you just press the start button in place of turning the key,with the clutch depressed and follow the instructions as per bladed key.

What is the difference between re-synchronise and re-programming?

I have tried to follow instructions above for one of our key fobs for our Ford Kuga with keyless start (but not keyless entry, button press required).

2016 Ford Kuga Titanium 2.0 TDCI dashboard message: Key Battery Low Replace Soon!

The new 3V battery installed is a CR2032 same spec as original but made by Duracell not Panasonic. Battery replacement took me about 40 seconds but key will not unlock/start vehicle? Currently using our spare key fob thankfully.

I attempted to follow your sequence;

1. Remove remote from vehicle (got out of car)
2. Lock using the door button (with the working spare remote key fob?)
3. Unlock using a programmed remote (with the working spare remote key fob)
4. Switch on ignition while holding lock or unlock of un-synched key. (held ENGINE START button for sometime while holding down door button on remote but no warning sounds or messages to say key now OK?)

Please help as we're down to one key. Have I followed sequence as intended?

Do I need to visit my Ford dealer?

Thank you in advance.

[Dogwatch]

A battery change shouldn't require all that faffing about. Remove old cell, insert fresh cell of reputable make and reassemble key fob. Job done!

Assuming the new cell is recently purchased, has it been installed the right way up?

[ckracer76]

Dogwatch said:

A battery change shouldn't require all that faffing about. Remove old cell, insert fresh cell of reputable make and reassemble key fob. Job done!

Assuming the new cell is recently purchased, has it been installed the right way up?

Thanks Dogwatch - I agree should be simple.

Yes, I simply opened up the key fob which splits in two halves. Removed original 3V battery and popped in the new Duracell one.

It's a shame the key has no LED indicator light like some car keys which would show battery power is working.

To be sure, I re-installed the battery then decided to install the other new battery that came in the twin pack I bought. Still nothing.

I've followed a few in-car sequences I found online but nothing advised has any effect?

I think I'll give my local Ford dealer a call on Monday and see what they suggest.

[Howard-]

Dogwatch said:

Better check out my '11 Focus! I too understood there was a key slot under the circular cover on the right hand side of the steering column. If not why do they supply a fold out key?

To unlock the doors. To start the car with a dead fob, you hold it against the start button or, on some cars, prise off the blanking cover over the ignition barrel and insert the fob, and it'll read the 'old style' passive transponder chip in the fob.

Edited by Howard- on Thursday 30th November 10:26

[ColinK2]

Kuga keyless entry / Push start

Same as ckracer76

I simply changed the battery, remote no longer works. Transponder is OK, if remote held to side of steering column.

Tried all instructions online to reset the key.

I have been told the only solution is ford dealer - 1 wants ~£40+ vat the other £78+ VAT, both ridiculous.

ckracer76 - How did you solve the issue?

I have been told that with a suitable OBD programming tool Forscan.oog will work, this thread suggests it will not.
http://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=...

Any other solutions?

ColinK

[quinny100]

Is the battery definitely good and installed the right way up?

Note that the diagram can be misleading - I bought a Focus with a non-working fob, opened it up, checked the battery against the diagram and it all looked OK, tested the battery with a multimeter and there was a good output. I was about to bin the key, when I decided to put the battery in the other way up. It's worked fine ever since!

Changing the battery on these should not require any reprogramming.

[Jammyone]

[quote=shoehorn]For keyless systems to re synchronise the key:
Remove remote from vehicle,lock using the door button.
unlock using a programmed remote or using the key in the lock
switch on ignition while holding lock or unlock of un-synched key.

This certainly worked for me, a line runs across the info screen from left to right which seems to indicate programming is taking place. Saved £130!!

[JohnWest]

Sorry for the thread resurrection.

I have bought a 2012 Focus with keyless entry (and start). Unfortunately it only came with 1 key so a replacement is required. I've just spoken to a Ford dealer who wants £200+VAT for a new key!!

What I would like to know is, if I buy a 'blank' key (something like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intelligent-Remote-Key-... am I able to follow the instructions provided above and save myself a trip to the dealer?

Thanks in advance,
JW

[martynscot]

Hi,

I have a Fiesta ST 2016 with keyless entry and push button start.A few months ago one of the keys came up on the display as having a low battery. I started to use the spare keyfob and put the one with the low battery in the drawer. A couple of months later I replaced the battery and the keyfob no longer works. I have tried several batteries but no joy.
I have also tried a number of interventions to re-programme the key as listed in this thread of e-mails but no change. The key when in the car allows you to drive it but doesn't do any thing else. I have looked on the web and there are a number of sequence's that show how to re-programme the key but non of them work.
Ford dealership want £100 to investigate which is ridiculous.
Any other suggestions would be helpful.

[asim619]

Hello I know this is an old forum but I have a 2013 focus st keyless start feature but it only works if I have the key near the key slot otherwise if away from that area it does not pick up the key in the car any suggestions as to what it could be?
I've changed the battery in the remote still no luck