meyersnole Posted January 13, 2015 at 07:48 PM Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 at 07:48 PM Last night my car started complaining about key not being there and this has carried over into today. It seems that if I try to push the button again it all of the sudden figures out where the key fob is. I even had an issue last night with pushing the lock button on my fob (I almost never do this) and having the car recognize the action. Again, a repeated attempt met with success. My first thought was low battery. However, it is less than 2 years old and the manual tells me that I should receive a message on the information display -- which I have not. I did call the dealer, but the service adviser I spoke with had no clue of how to test -- he went off to find someone and next thing I know I am in someones phone mail box. I called back only to be routed to some one else's phone mail. Fun! Anyway, anyone else have similar experience and can share their solution? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphy Posted January 13, 2015 at 07:54 PM Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 at 07:54 PM (edited) You can always start the car by placing the fob in the slot in the center console, key ring up and buttons facing the rear of the car. That works with a totally dead fob battery. I would try new batteries, there are two of them. Edited January 13, 2015 at 08:40 PM by murphy howardbc and meyersnole 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meyersnole Posted January 13, 2015 at 07:59 PM Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 at 07:59 PM Thanks murphy... the backup of the slot in the center console is a great idea and as I am going out of town again I was a little worried about this new behavior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howardbc Posted January 13, 2015 at 10:49 PM Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 at 10:49 PM Murphy, is the slot you mentioned shown in our owner's manual? Is it inside the storage box? I just cannot picture where it is. I went out to my car but can't find it. I'm not having having problems with the key but just like to know everything about my car. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murphy Posted January 13, 2015 at 11:14 PM Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 at 11:14 PM It's in the front left corner of the storage box. The fob drops straight down into it. It's in the chapter titled "Starting and Stopping the Engine". Hybridbear 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingcheesehead Posted January 13, 2015 at 11:17 PM Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 at 11:17 PM Murphy, is the slot you mentioned shown in our owner's manual? Is it inside the storage box? I just cannot picture where it is. I went out to my car but can't find it. I'm not having having problems with the key but just like to know everything about my car. Thanks. If by "storage box" you mean the one under the armrest, yes. It's on the front at the bottom left. It's not the easiest thing to find, nor is it obvious. It's in the manual (http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/13fhyom3e.pdf) on page 134. Hope this helps! howardbc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordService Posted January 14, 2015 at 09:36 PM Report Share Posted January 14, 2015 at 09:36 PM Last night my car started complaining about key not being there and this has carried over into today. It seems that if I try to push the button again it all of the sudden figures out where the key fob is. I even had an issue last night with pushing the lock button on my fob (I almost never do this) and having the car recognize the action. Again, a repeated attempt met with success. My first thought was low battery. However, it is less than 2 years old and the manual tells me that I should receive a message on the information display -- which I have not. I did call the dealer, but the service adviser I spoke with had no clue of how to test -- he went off to find someone and next thing I know I am in someones phone mail box. I called back only to be routed to some one else's phone mail. Fun! Anyway, anyone else have similar experience and can share their solution? I suggest heading to your dealer to chat with them in person so you can demonstrate the symptoms. I can also loop in your customer service manager to check into additional assistance. I'll need your VIN, mileage, best daytime phone, full name, and dealer name/location. You can always start the car by placing the fob in the slot in the center console, key ring up and buttons facing the rear of the car. That works with a totally dead fob battery. I would try new batteries, there are two of them.Great suggestion! Meagan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meyersnole Posted January 15, 2015 at 12:20 AM Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 at 12:20 AM The problem with intermittent issues are that they are not readily reproducible when you are at the dealer. Thank you for the offer of assistance, but I have a great dealership and do not have issues with them responding to my concerns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonzo71 Posted January 15, 2015 at 01:21 PM Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 at 01:21 PM I think its the transmitter itself and not the battery in the remote. You have two keys, correct? Use the other set for a few days or change out the batteries...if those dont solve the problem then you know its the remote itself. It might need to be replaced or reprogramed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_h Posted January 15, 2015 at 01:45 PM Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 at 01:45 PM The problem with intermittent issues are that they are not readily reproducible when you are at the dealer. Same here with occurring once every couple weeks or so, it will give me the "no key detected" message on the left screen (key sitting in my pocket as I sit in the driver seat)... and then when I take it out and move it around it then goes away. To me this would mean a weak signal and thus battery not yet needing to be replaced, but almost. My car was built in Feb 2013 so I guess the battery(ies?) in the fob I always use may be on the way out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordService Posted January 15, 2015 at 05:22 PM Report Share Posted January 15, 2015 at 05:22 PM The problem with intermittent issues are that they are not readily reproducible when you are at the dealer. Thank you for the offer of assistance, but I have a great dealership and do not have issues with them responding to my concerns. Sure thing. :)Should you need me, I'll be here. Meagan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meyersnole Posted January 16, 2015 at 01:26 AM Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 at 01:26 AM Same here with occurring once every couple weeks or so, it will give me the "no key detected" message on the left screen (key sitting in my pocket as I sit in the driver seat)... and then when I take it out and move it around it then goes away. To me this would mean a weak signal and thus battery not yet needing to be replaced, but almost. My car was built in Feb 2013 so I guess the battery(ies?) in the fob I always use may be on the way out.On another road trip killing my lifetime average (still love getting high 30's in a car this size zipping down the interstate). Has not happened in the last two days. My car was built around the same time, but still surprised that the batteries could be going so soon. I had my Acura for over 7 years and never messed with batteries. I think it might just be a signal interference issue or something. Given Muphy's backup solution I am willing to just let this play out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybridbear Posted January 16, 2015 at 03:16 PM Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 at 03:16 PM Sure thing. :)Should you need me, I'll be here. MeaganAre you able to talk to your tech sources to get any additional information about the specs of the battery in the FOB and what Ford determines to be its expected service life? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordService Posted January 16, 2015 at 04:44 PM Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 at 04:44 PM Are you able to talk to your tech sources to get any additional information about the specs of the battery in the FOB and what Ford determines to be its expected service life?Let me see what I can do, and I'll get back to you. :) Meagan Hybridbear 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordService Posted January 23, 2015 at 05:41 PM Report Share Posted January 23, 2015 at 05:41 PM Hi guys, Since Ford does not manufacture the batteries for the key fobs, we don't have any information on specifications or projected battery life. There are multiple variables that could contribute to dwindling battery life, and your dealer will be in the best position to troubleshoot that with you. Meagan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meyersnole Posted January 24, 2015 at 12:11 AM Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 at 12:11 AM Interesting... I would have thought that this information would have been known as part of the sourcing. My guess is that the battery is just fine and something else was happening. In any case, I have not experienced this issue since I posted. Just one of those quirky things I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordService Posted January 24, 2015 at 12:31 AM Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 at 12:31 AM Interesting... I would have thought that this information would have been known as part of the sourcing. My guess is that the battery is just fine and something else was happening. In any case, I have not experienced this issue since I posted. Just one of those quirky things I guess. Glad to hear everything's running smoothly! Meagan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meyersnole Posted February 3, 2015 at 06:02 PM Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 at 06:02 PM In the end it seems that I did have some bad batteries. Replaced them today and things are working great again. Disappointing that the batteries did not last even 2 years and that the low battery warning never displayed (or if it did, it is not obvious as I totally missed it). So, if you are having issues with the door not opening right away and/or the car intermittently complains it can not find the key you might want to invest in a new pair (2) of CR 2025 batteries. Be prepared to be frustrated taking this fob apart, it is not easy. You will need a small flat blade screw driver and a coin -- preferably a quarter or dollar -- and some patients. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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