Hi,

 

Im having key fob issues with my Ford Focus Titanium X (2015)

 

Basically the car failed an MOT on engine management light, took a good few weeks to get it sorted, then the car battery died, and it got given back to me with the key fob not working. 
 

I have tried the suggestions of pressing start/stop 4 or 8 times and it never enters key programming mode like the YouTube videos etc suggest. 
 

I thought it was a dud key battery but I’ve changed it today and that’s not fixed it. 
 

Only thing I would say is yesterday the lock/unlock was working intermittently as I’ve got into the habit of trying to lock it as I’m walking away and it did lock the car. 
 

Does anyone have any suggestions or know if this model requires a different technique? 

You are confusing two different operations of the keyfob.

I'm going assume that you have keyless start, in other words a push button (Please correct me if I'm wrong). You are still able to start the engine so the keyfob is still coded in to the car.

The videos / instructions you are finding online for coding the keyfobs only works on vehicles before 2013. After that date the function to code keyfobs using that method was removed by Ford on all UK specification cars.

So if the problem is the remote lock/unlock is not working that could be because the remote operation of the keyfob needs reprogramming. This is NOT the same as the programming needed to start the engine.

However you say that sometimes the remote operation of the lock/unlock works so clearly the keyfob is still programmed to the car. So the answer is you have a poor battery in the keyfob. Remove the battery and fit a brand new Energizer or Panasonic battery (NOT Duracell). Check the voltage of the new battery and make sure it is at least 3.30V. Once the voltage of the battery falls to less than 2.99V the keyfob will not work correctly.

For further information see page 30 of the owners handbook:

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/ENUSA_CG3630_Focus_og_201501.pdf

3 minutes ago, unofix said:

You are confusing two different operations of the keyfob.

I'm going assume that you have keyless start, in other words a push button (Please correct me if I'm wrong). You are still able to start the engine so the keyfob is still coded in to the car.

The videos / instructions you are finding online for coding the keyfobs only works on vehicles before 2013. After that date the function to code keyfobs using that method was removed by Ford on all UK specification cars.

So if the problem is the remote lock/unlock is not working that could be because the remote operation of the keyfob needs reprogramming. This is NOT the same as the programming needed to start the engine.

However you say that sometimes the remote operation of the lock/unlock works so clearly the keyfob is still programmed to the car. So the answer is you have a poor battery in the keyfob. Remove the battery and fit a brand new Energizer or Panasonic battery (NOT Duracell). Check the voltage of the new battery and make sure it is at least 3.30V. Once the voltage of the battery falls to less than 2.99V the keyfob will not work correctly.

 

Thank you for your reply. 
 

The battery I replaced in the key today is a Panasonic, but the lock/unlock is still not working. 
 

I’m also having to put the key in the Central compartment to start the car otherwise the car doesn’t recognise it. 
 

Do you think it could be a faulty key?

 

Thank you for explaining the reprogramming part - that’ll save me keep watching YouTube videos and trying that!!

Do you have a multimeter that you can check the voltage of the new battery ?

Over the last two years there have been many problems with the batteries for the keyfobs. There are so many counterfeit batteries about especially Duracell that it has become almost a necessity to use a meter and check the voltage.

It is possible that you might have a faulty key but the chances are it is still an issue with the keyfob battery. Take the battery out and clean it with IPA or Acetone or Nail Polish Remover. New batteries often have an invisible coating on them that tastes bitter to try and discourage children from swallowing them.

Do you have two keyfobs ?

1 hour ago, unofix said:

New batteries often have an invisible coating on them that tastes bitter to try and discourage children from swallowing them.

Yes, a couple of people have been caught by this. Some batteries have a sticker (to warn you about the taste) which must be peeled off before use - this can itself leave a residue so ensure it is cleaned off as Unofix mentions.

Also I have had new batteries fail within days (counterfeit or just bad luck getting a "dud"?). 

And the silly one - while messing about trying not to damage anything it is easy to put the battery in the wrong way round so check carefully before reassembly.