Hi again guys,

Sold my Focus last month as I had enough of the nonsense (when not used for a week and the battery levels dropped, the engine limiter activated and couldn't get past 2nd gear or over 2k revs). My nephew has a 2012 focus tdci titanium x but for some reason does not have the ability to lock/unlock by holding the handle as mine did. Anyhow, he tried to start the car last week and nothing; no lights, no ignition. Had it checked and told he needed a new battery. He collected the car and neither remote worked and he had to remove the ignition cover to slot the whole remote in before he could start the car (no ford key detected message). He has to lock/unlock the door with the key from inside the remote and insert the remote into the ignition every time he uses the car. The central locking works when locking with the little key, the mirrors go into their sleep position and the alarm is active. Everything else works fine; start/stop comes on (though he disabled it for now in case it was draining the battery) and the radio/CD did not need a code entered and the bluetooth and voice control worked immediately.

I have seen a number of tips to reprogram the two remotes (both batteries checked and were fine), ignition on/off 8 times in 10 seconds (the youtube page said the doors would lock/unlock but they did nothing only a beep noise) and then press the remote buttons like crazy.

The garage has said it's not their problem as they only changed the battery and the remotes worked before the battery was changed. They advised he go to Ford's. Speaking to Ford they want the car in for the day to run a bunch of checks, order two new remotes (£200+ exc VAT), then reprogram the whole car for the new remotes. They estimate 6 hours labour plus £440ish for the remotes then vat. Probably coming to £920 before VAT.

Can anyone direct me down a cheaper route as he is waiting to sell this after he acquired his late fathers Citroen? Fortunately, I have it with me since I am car-less (Peugeot messed the order up and sent the wrong spec car and so have to wait all over again for it to be made at the plant). Hopefully, we can get the remotes sorted as it is a real pain to open the remote, remove the key, open the car and get the remote in the ignition within a few seconds or the alarm goes crazy. What is odd (am editing this) is on checking, the car started a few minutes ago without putting the remote in the ignition. I still had to put the remote in the ignition and press the start/stop button on the dash to stop the alarm from starting. They still wouldn't open or lock the car but it's something I guess.

Thanks again,
James

Anyone there who can offer some advice as to where we start to find the problem? Thanks,

James