Sometimes keyfob does not work for 1-2 minutes after ignition is shut off, car is unlocking for all ford remotes

[Jasen Hibberd]

So, I've noticed over the past few weeks that after I get out of my car (2012 MKZ) I can't use my key fob to lock or unlock my doors, there is a minute or two delay before it starts working again but only sometimes, and now it's gotten worse, not only can I not use my fob for a couple minutes after I get out of the car (remote works fine if the key is in the ignition and it is turned on), but my dad locked his Ford truck yesterday and my car responded to HIS fob like he locked it with his remote - he was able to unlock both vehicles. What the actual heck? 

Edited November 7, 2018 by Jasen Hibberd

[bbf2530]

4 hours ago, Jasen Hibberd said:

So, I've noticed over the past few weeks that after I get out of my car (2012 MKZ) I can't use my key fob to lock or unlock my doors, there is a minute or two delay before it starts working again but only sometimes, and now it's gotten worse, not only can I not use my fob for a couple minutes after I get out of the car (remote works fine if the key is in the ignition and it is turned on), but my dad locked his Ford truck yesterday and my car responded to HIS fob like he locked it with his remote - he was able to unlock both vehicles. What the actual heck? 

 

Hi Jasen.  Several thoughts. First, does your second keyfob work properly? If it does, the problem is likely with the first keyfob, so try changing the battery in the problematic keyfob.

If the second keyfob works properly and changing the battery does not take care of the problem with the first, then the keyfob may be slowly failing. One other thing you can try would be to follow the instructions in your Owners Manual to replace the battery and reprogram both of your keyfobs.  See if a reprogramming solves your issue. At the very lest, it should stop your fathers keyfob from unlocking your car. If your fathers keyfob still unlocks your car after reprogramming both of yours, you have a deeper issue in the security system of your car.

Perhaps some of our more tech minded members will jump in with other suggestions.

In the mean time, try those suggestions, keep us updated and good luck.

Edited November 7, 2018 by bbf2530

[Jasen Hibberd]

I have two keyfobs, I put fresh batteries in them -- this issue is so strange - if I have both of the keys with me in the car, after I take one key out of the ignition one of the keys (its random) will operate the door locks, but not both of them right away - after a minute or so, both of them begin to function just fine.

 

I tried to find programming instructions for the 2012 MKZ, but it doesn't seem to have done anything. The owners manual says you can insert one key, wait 3 seconds, take the key out, put in a second key (like you are programming a third key) and it's supposed to program the IKT as well... that did nothing. - I did find the procedure where you cycle the key on and off 8x ending in the on position - the door locks did cycle like they were supposed to per the instructions, however, pressing a button on either of my remotes just causes the horn to honk once, not cycle the door locks to indicate that programming for that remote was successful. Taking the key out of the ignition at that point just leaves me where I started - but remotes work after a minute or so, and my dads Ford remote still locks and unlocks my doors. I tried my brothers Ford remote - it did not respond at all. So it seems like an issue with just his remote being programmed as an extra somehow?

 

Maybe I'm not doing the procedure right, but if anybody else has any ideas on how to program the keyfobs, let me know.

[bbf2530]

2 hours ago, Jasen Hibberd said:

I have two keyfobs, I put fresh batteries in them -- this issue is so strange - if I have both of the keys with me in the car, after I take one key out of the ignition one of the keys (its random) will operate the door locks, but not both of them right away - after a minute or so, both of them begin to function just fine.

 

I tried to find programming instructions for the 2012 MKZ, but it doesn't seem to have done anything. The owners manual says you can insert one key, wait 3 seconds, take the key out, put in a second key (like you are programming a third key) and it's supposed to program the IKT as well... that did nothing. - I did find the procedure where you cycle the key on and off 8x ending in the on position - the door locks did cycle like they were supposed to per the instructions, however, pressing a button on either of my remotes just causes the horn to honk once, not cycle the door locks to indicate that programming for that remote was successful. Taking the key out of the ignition at that point just leaves me where I started - but remotes work after a minute or so, and my dads Ford remote still locks and unlocks my doors. I tried my brothers Ford remote - it did not respond at all. So it seems like an issue with just his remote being programmed as an extra somehow?

 

Maybe I'm not doing the procedure right, but if anybody else has any ideas on how to program the keyfobs, let me know.

Hi Jasen.  If you already replaced the batteries, then the next step would be to properly reprogram the fobs. And if your dad's keys are still unlocking your car, you did not complete the reprogramming. You are programming both of your keys...correct?

It sounds as though you are not understanding/following the instructions properly. You need to read the programming instructions carefully and follow them precisely.  The next step is reprogramming, so until you do that, everything else is just a shot in the dark. 

Try again until you get both keyfobs to properly reprogram.

Keep us updated and good luck.

 

[Jasen Hibberd]

I did do both of the keyfobs - both keyfobs make the horn honk when I do the key 8x on-off procedure - then I turn the key off and the door locks cycle to confirm programming - but it still lets me dads fobs work.. If I follow the procedure in the manual, absolutely nothing happens at all to confirm anything is programmed.

 

Edit: So I found something interesting on an F150 forum -- listen to this:

"The OEM 80bit keys are programmed with the 2 key method and this also programs the 3 (or 4) button remote attached to the key. AFTERMARKET 80bit keys have to be programmed in 2 steps, FIRST the key must be programmed to the truck (actually its the opposite, but lets not dwell on semantics), SECOND, the 3 (or 4) button integrated remote must be programmed via the keyfob (8 cycle) method. If you try to program an OEM key using the keyfob method, the device is rejected (horn honks) until you program the key first. "

 

So it sounds like you cannot program OEM keys using the keyfob method.. then how the heck do you reset the darn keyfob list!?

Edited November 8, 2018 by Jasen Hibberd