Firstly, I know theres a LOT of 'Keyless entry not working' posts. I had even posted one a few years back when somehow a setting got changed without me knowing and none of the doors handles worked, but this post isn't about WHY it's not working and possible causes - I'm pretty sure after 5 years the driver handle has broken & 'Thumb' sensor is now not working for some reason (a lot of posts claim 'damp weather' could be a cause & it's been damp/raining a lot recently in UK)

 

The problem is I am unable to lock the car by tapping the thumb sensor on the Driver door (NB: there's no 'black square' like you see on some handles - just a small indentation)

I'll explain my deduction:-

I can lock/unlock the car using the Keyfob & can also lock/unlock the car using the passenger door handle (There's also no problem starting the car up via pushbutton either) - I can also unlock the car using rear door handles

However while I can unlock the car from the driver side I am unable to tap the thumb sensor to lock the car up.

 

I know that the 'keyless' setting hasn't changed (Passenger door works - I checked setting anyway), the keyfob battery is OK (since I can lock/unlock & start car), the keyless entry fuses are ok (F3 in fuse box in boot handles 'door handles' & since all handles can at least unlock car then fuse must be OK) - so it all seems to boil down to the driver's handle being at fault and only the Thumb sensor part of it - not whatever sensor detects your hand is behind the handle

Looking at Youtube videos it looks fairly simple to change handles:

'Remove plastic cover, loosen torx screw until keylock comes out then slide handle back & disconnect' (note none of the videos state disconnecting car battery so I guess it's safe to do this with the battery still connected)

& while I usually never dabbled with DIY repairs in the past (the most I do is change wheels/replace wipers/restick door seals) I think I am confident I can attempt to replace the handle myself & save a bit on cost of having a mechnic looking at it

 

After all this - now onto my question(s)

Looking at fords spares for my car & after typing in my reg number - the only ones they show is this one (for rear door) and this one (front door).

As you can see the 'rear door' has a cable while the 'front door' doesn't - puzzling,  I'm assuming they got the descriptions the wrong way round or something since youtube videos show rear handles don't usually have cables

 

Onto the reason for this post

Q1: Do you think they cocked up the descriptions - rear & front cmax handles 'look' the same from the outside so I guess they're interchangable ?? (are there cars that have cabled handles front & rear ??).

- Has anyone purchased these handles for doing a job like I'm thinking of doing & which one did they have to buy ?

 

Q2: Is it as simple as the videos show replacing the keyless handles ?

- or should I actually phone up service department, explain my problem - probably have to book up & take a day off to take car in ??

- If I did would they just look at it first & then say 'havent got the correct coloured part so you'll have to book another day once it comes in' (reason I asked is that in the 6 years I've had the car I have NEVER booked in the car for a problem so never experienced 'aftersales' service - it's just been the usual MOT/servicing) or would they find problem & fix in same day (there IS a slim chance I think it MIGHT be the cable connector/wiring loom at fault which I understand would be a longer job to repair/replace)

 

Q3: My door handles are coloured 'Blue' so are the top cover of the handle (the white part on new handles) 'interchangable' & if so how - is it clipped, glued or screwed ?? - I can't seem to find any info about this.

I assume that Ford's dont have a stockpile of EVERY possible coloured handles, or that they re-spray handles to correct colour each time, I'm guessing they just have a way to swap the tops over (like a phone cover or something) and just stock pile a basic plain model

Many thanks in advance for any advice to this newbie DIY-er

The Ford site you have linked to, is usually wrong more times than it is right.

The only way to be sure that you are getting the correct part is to go to your local Ford dealers, parts department and ask for a price on the part. Make sure you get the finis number if you decide not to buy it from them.

23 hours ago, unofix said:

The Ford site you have linked to, is usually wrong more times than it is right.

The only way to be sure that you are getting the correct part is to go to your local Ford dealers, parts department and ask for a price on the part. Make sure you get the finis number if you decide not to buy it from them.

Thanks for that.. I had a guess the site was wrong. - at least that confirms my suspicion.

just need the others answered now by someone in the know ;)

Can I assume that if/when I do go there & state what I want & that it should be 'blue' (what type of 'blue' my car is I don't know - I guess they get it from the VIN or reg number but I've seen 'Blue','Blazer blue','Blue Diamond Metallic' & 'Kona Blue' mentioned)- they would then give me a part (number) for a blue handle ?? or will it be 'white' & I'll have to somehow get it painted the correct blue at some point

I've been looking at google photos & have found one cmax handle that shows to have a small screw on the end which seems to imply that the handle could come apart (too dark tonight to have a look to see if I can see it on my door handle) so if this is the case then I'm hoping the new part wont need painting, maybe I can just 'swap' the covers over like a phone case or something - I'll hate to have an odd coloured handle on the car

Usually things like door handles come in a primer finish and have to be painted by the bodyshop. Very occasionally they are available ready painted but as cars get older those parts are often out of stock.

If you post a photo of your door VIN plate (drivers side door post) then we can tell you the colour.

Sorry for delay.. Real life things cropped up

Anyway as requested.

Tried looking up info myself.. several sites stated that the 6th number in left hand column is related to paint colour & I did find a 'ford motorcraft touch up paints' document, however the code 'N E' on those sheets stated 'Cactus Grey' As you can see in picture it definitely not just grey (silvery/metallic perhaps) & definitely not green (like colour of a cactus) & other site class car as 'blue' based on reg plate

Looks like Chrome Blue.

I think it is "Blue Diamond Metallic" it was the only blue available on a 2018 C-Max that I can find.

The vehicle build sheet just calls it Blue Metallic

Many thanks for the info....

At least I have something to go on if the handle does need replacing even if Fords can't get it right themselves (ironically it's started working but temperamental - takes a few attempts before actually closing..sounds like the typical water ingress problem)

In my searching I was a little concerned that my car may've been built in 2017 but registered in 2018 & colour may've been slightly different

- I believe the 2017 Cmax was available in 'Kona Blue' while the 2018 was available in 'Chrome Blue' (based on the car brochures I could find). Unfortunately it's hard to tell the difference but IMHO 'Kona' looks darker than 'Chrome'

 

Swap the passenger door handle onto👍 the driver's door.

If you've still got the fault then it is a wiring or DDM issue.

If the fault goes away then I'd leave it as is on the driver's door

1 hour ago, DaveT70 said:

Swap the passenger door handle onto👍 the driver's door.

If you've still got the fault then it is a wiring or DDM issue.

If the fault goes away then I'd leave it as is on the driver's door

Thanks for that advice. I've already seen that tip posted here but it's another way to see what the actual problem is with a quick fix around the problem.

At some point I'll probably have a go...