Hello. Last week, my Focus 2018 MK3.5 (stline 1l eco, 140 bhp 41k on clock in case maybe relevant!) decided to ignore both my key fobs for the first time. Car on parking space outside apartment block where it's been kept for the last year so not moved to new area etc where interference may suddenly cause it. I got into car with blade, put keyfob into centre console, got no response and tried for 10 or so mins twatting about in car. It was only when locking car again with key that the indicators flashed and it came back to life again so I got back in and got it going again. I drove to sisters, parked a good 60ft plus away (so assume out of reach of keyfob) for an hour, no issues when going back to car. 

 

Next morning, ignored them again at home. Got in with blade, alarm went off, keyfob in centre console and alarm went off and was able to start it. Parked car in basement in work, no issue when returning to it hours later. Used it next couple of days no issue. Then didn't use it from Thurs eve til Sun eve. Ignored key fob again. Got in with blade, alarm on and off for a few mins, keyfob centre console, nothing. Again, locked doors, indicators flashed so back in and got it going again. Each time this has happened the trip meter has reset.

 

I've had no indication battery dying in key fob nor do I think the issue is fob battery related what with the spare being ignored first time too and this issue being intermittent. Car battery replaced 4th Oct and had no issues whatsoever since. I did buy a new usb cable for it a couple of weeks prior to the issue first happening so wondered if that might be interfering somehow but had left that unplugged in car overnight and it still happened. Got rid of that cable now anyway.

 

I've researched this issue a bit but others seem to have slightly different issues so thought I'd post my own. I've droned on a bit but wanted to put as much info in as possible. Hoping one of you experts know specifically what the issue is likely to be or what part I'll need or someone has had the exact same issue and sorted it.

 

Thanks in advance!

Vehicle battery has a very low state of charge.

Charge the battery for at least 12 hours.

Hi unofix, thanks for your reply.

Is that really what the issue is even after Halfords installed a fully charged battery only 2 months back? I reset the BMS too. I've had none of that system off to save power crap since nor any chugging at low speeds so I'd find it unbelievable if this is battery related already and just wishing even more I'd steered clear of this ***** car. I never had this keyfob issue with the old battery, just the issues I mentioned above so surely it can't be to do with that.

If indeed it is to do with the battery, I can't charge it overnight as no access to a power point. Even when I had a house last year and the drive next to it, charging it overnight would've been a pain. Surely need it parked in a garage for that.

Are these cars really that crap you can buy a battery fully charged and this state of charge crap happen after 2 months that can cause this keyfob issue? Surely not.

Sadly it has be come the norm on newer models that you need to charge the battery about every 5 to 6 weeks during the winter.

The 'Smart' charge system does not put enough back in to the battery, all in the name of reducing emissions . Also battery technology is not as good as it was 10 years ago all in the name of saving the dolphins. Gretta calls it progress, I couldn't post what I call it 🤣

Re-Gretta-ble ???

(I'll get my coat....😁😁)

Lol.

It still wouldn't make sense for this to be happening on a new battery when it didn't happen once on the previous battery since I bought the car in Jan this year. Surely it would've happened on the older battery that would give me that system off nonsense all the time?

What is the science behind it if this new battery has resolved the previous issues I mentioned but now instead has 1 sole problem and that is temp dementia with my key fob? I am baffled. Last sodding Ford I buy that's for sure.

 

Also, I swear someone told me that this state of charge issue only affects the MK4 and that the MK3/3.5 doesn't suffer the same issue? That wrong?

Well it seems you want a more complex and costly solution to what could be just a poorly charged battery.

Get the car booked in at a Ford main dealers and let them take a look. I'd guess they'll fit yet another new battery and fully charge it before giving you an invoice for £400

You're right that the problem is much worse on the Mk4 but the battery used on your car is made just as poorly as those on the newer model.

7 hours ago, Phil3747 said:

Re-Gretta-ble ???

Very good Phil 👍

It has taken me about 4 times of reading that before it actually 'clicked' with me 🤣