Morning all, new MK1 and working through some emerging issues.

The key works every now and again .... less now and more again. Have changed the battery for a decent new one but that has not really helped bar to eliminate the battery.

I believe the key is original .... has a Siemens reference on the back which I think means original. And I have a spare mechanical key. 

 

Could use some advice how to fault find the key. Or is it the key or something on board? 

And what is the best way to get a replacement (or second) remote key? 

It looks like the basics work when they feel like it. But not often enough to be reliable.

Advice greatly appreciated. Or links to guides or videos. Many thanks

 

Hello Andrew, before you get much further in to fixing, repairing or modifying your recent purchase you need one very important thing. FORScan

You will need a windows laptop and a vLinker connection lead, together with the software FORScan. Once you have that, then you will be able to fault find, read all the Ford specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's) and do programming such as adding an extra key. See the attached for details:

On 4/7/2024 at 8:59 PM, unofix said:

FORScan (for use with Windows Laptop) : https://forscan.org/download.html

It's what many Ford owners use including some Ford technicians.

vLinker FS, cable for laptop: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-vLinker-Adapter-FORScan-MS-CAN/dp/B0952P4MLP

vLinker FD, for android phone: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-Bluetooth-vLinker-Scanner-Diagnostic/dp/B08H82WC8L

vLinker FD+, for iPhone: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vgate-Bluetooth-vLinker-Scanner-Diagnostic/dp/B08H8JHWP2

 

Search Tag:   FORScan123

 

6 minutes ago, unofix said:

Hello Andrew, before you get much further in to fixing, repairing or modifying your recent purchase you need one very important thing. FORScan

You will need a windows laptop and a vLinker connection lead, together with the software FORScan. Once you have that, then you will be able to fault find, read all the Ford specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's) and do programming such as adding an extra key. See the attached for details:

 

Got cables on order and app installed. Thanks for the steer again. Think they arrive in 3 days so at the weekend I'll get that setup and see where that takes us. Thanks again, good learning curve this morning.

On such an old vehicle there's a very good chance the buttons on the remote are failing. I've not had one of these apart so I don't know if it's possible to just clean up the button contacts. Hopefully one of the experts will have some suggestions.

I would think as well buttons are worn-out. 

3 hours ago, Zen23 said:

I would think as well buttons are worn-out. 

Indeed, Buttons don't last forever 🤣

People who have played Buttons

• Arthur Askey 26 December 1947 Radio BBC Home Service.
• Graham Bickley 1991 Richmond Theatre Surrey.
• Jack Buchanan 1941 unspecified Midlands Theatre.
• Brian Conley 2009, 2015 and 2021.
• Ronnie Corbett.
• Billy Dainty 1976 Manchester Opera House.

Yes I tend agree MJT. There's no obvious signs ..... sometimes works, often doesn't. And can you buy a replacement unit from anywhere? Need be Ford? Ebay etc? 

Or is there any success been had cleaning out the unit or might that make it worse?

EDIT: I found this on ebay ..... I think I still need the SW and cable Unofix mentioned (which arrives today) and they make reference to steps needed in the listing. Have to say that doesn't make much sense to me but hopefully you guys will understand and be able to steer me a bit ....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/266019435984?itmmeta=01HZ4C7NTT1X5PG1DB78AKWAVJ&hash=item3deffe75d0:g:QPcAAOSwTJtbrMka&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0FsPAiksBle%2F6%2F6Z2V7bHdz1maiAKzdCsqJOJPDRICB8CvnTB8SWIjOmYzYG%2Fc7Ulzgnp6oIC7yCJjA8BXQVeq4%2Fq3vMRs%2BN0uQIm7YlvyLZlJRWRURlgKwk1HYDlcVul%2F9fQUsCwGggL1qZNEx1gk6so8K3OoiYxqYiL%2BmELYWmSZpTj20YYuq9mU8GHpSsUvwobeNx%2Fmixfps3nP%2FOa1%2B39h1Mlb7E7VB48gAZUkkg49hQf8OFqyFp2M2vw6l1BPpBSO%2FmpXBwYmlsXy7QKJI%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR87dnoz5Yw

Your 'new' key can be potentially be programmed without much hassle, BUT, it only works if you have the original keys in working order. Without them, yes, you'll need to use ForScan to program it. A local independent locksmith should be able to cut the blade for you, somewhere like Timpsons won't look at it as you didn't buy it from them...

 

59 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

Your 'new' key can be potentially be programmed without much hassle, BUT, it only works if you have the original keys in working order. Without them, yes, you'll need to use ForScan to program it. A local independent locksmith should be able to cut the blade for you, somewhere like Timpsons won't look at it as you didn't buy it from them...

 

Thanks for the advice Stephen, yes the key is complete, original and works 'some' of the time. That's worth to know. I'd imagine you would be on-line folks who could do that as well. Anyone used anyone doing a postal service for this type of thing that they could recommend?

I'm setting up the ForScan facility anyway. I don't know so much about it but get the impression it will add benefit in other areas as well.

2 minutes ago, Mkultra2994 said:

Anyone used anyone doing a postal service for this type of thing that they could recommend?

? Unsure what you mean, you can't program a key remotely. If it's key cutting you're talking about, you can't beat walking out of a locksmith and trying the key in the door to make sure it works straight away.

3 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

? Unsure what you mean, you can't program a key remotely. If it's key cutting you're talking about, you can't beat walking out of a locksmith and trying the key in the door to make sure it works straight away.

I was thinking of a specialist one you could send the key into Stephen. It was purely from a time point of view. We have a few local but none specialist that I know of. That said, I've never looked for this this so equally it could be right on the doorstep. 

And is a point ... knowing it works there and then could be a better way to go.

Just to remind people that in the case of getting the key to start the car it is the 'Car' that gets programmed to recognise the new key. The actual transponder chip in the key is purely passive and it can not be programmed.

The remote operation of the lock/unlock is again a case of teaching the car to recognise the code signal transmitted by the key.

Companies like Timpsons "cheat" and make a clone of your existing keyfob. They use a special type of transponder chip which can have a code programmed in to it. This method ultimately comes back to bite you in the 8um as the car thinks there is only one key in use. If one key is lost then it leads to complications.

If it is only the buttons which are not working then you can just transfer that part from the new key, to save having to get the blade cut.

4 hours ago, unofix said:

Just to remind people that in the case of getting the key to start the car it is the 'Car' that gets programmed to recognise the new key. The actual transponder chip in the key is purely passive and it can not be programmed.

The remote operation of the lock/unlock is again a case of teaching the car to recognise the code signal transmitted by the key.

Companies like Timpsons "cheat" and make a clone of your existing keyfob. They use a special type of transponder chip which can have a code programmed in to it. This method ultimately comes back to bite you in the 8um as the car thinks there is only one key in use. If one key is lost then it leads to complications.

If it is only the buttons which are not working then you can just transfer that part from the new key, to save having to get the blade cut.

Makes a lot of sense Unofix ..... going to buy that ebay one now and try that. I had in mind it was the key that needed the clever work not the on-board. 

As it goes the cables for the FoScan just arrived as well so I have two solid options here to have a go at. Snowed with work stuff so unlikely get time to even look at till Sunday but at least I can have a decent key and the FoScan and cable to start some steps forward.

Appreciated. Weird how you can get so familiar with the logic and work thru on certain models and yet be so green on others. Lot of learning this week and great support off folks on the site 👍 thanks to all offering a hand.