Focus Archives - The Car Key Man

Thank goodness Ford did something right with keys. We’ve written at length about floppy key blades, dodgy transponder chips and keyless keys not detected. The great news is that by using the Ford keyless emergency start method, you can still get home!

With tiny electronics crammed into your Ford keyless key, once it’s been dropped a few times, the clock is ticking. The car won’t detect the key close by, and it won’t do anything when you press the start button. You’ll also get a warning message.

The reason you have a back up system is that once the smart key stops being so clever, you need a way to use the car. The Ford keyless emergency start method will get the car running. Place the keys in the correct place, and the car picks up the key signal. Then you put the key back in your pocket as usual and book yourself in an appointment with the garage your local Auto Locksmith, to get it looked at.

Where is the Ford Keyless Emergency Start position?

Different Ford models have different methods of starting the car. The spot is normally marked with a key symbol that will help you find it.

Ford Focus 2015 Ford Keyless Emergency Start Position

In between the front seats is a compartment for CD’s etc. It also has an audio jack. You must place the key on top of the symbol at the bottom of the compartment.

Ford Fiesta 2015 Ford Keyless Emergency Start Position

Imagine you were putting a normal car key into the ignition, this is where you need to place your keyless key.

Ford C-Max 2014 Ford Keyless Emergency Start Position

The Ford C-Max has a key slot that is hidden behind a round cover. Again, it’s the same place as the ignition lock would normally be.

You must slide the key into the slot before you can start the car.

If in doubt, look at the manual. Better still, find out where the Ford keyless emergency start position is BEFORE you have a problem.

I found it! What next?

The key must be held close to the sensor on the car so it will read the transponder chip.

Next, keeping the key still, press the button on the dashboard as you normally do and press the clutch in on newer models. When the key is in the correct place, the car will start.

Do I need a new key battery inside the key?

No. The whole point of the Ford keyless emergency start system is that it doesn’t matter if the key battery is flat or even missing!

That’s it! You car should be running even though you’d normally have the message ‘Key not detected’. We recommend finding someone to change the key battery for you, or take a look at our video if you want too do it yourself.

Overview of Ford Keys

Ford keys are the most reliable amongst all the makes we cover. This is simply because the quality of build and design are very good compared with many other makes. As well as this, when a new Ford car key is needed, the prices are below the market average and, they are the simplest for us to supply, cut and programme.

Just need help with changing the key battery? Click Here

have you heard about Photokey? Saving you money when you lose car keys Click Here

There are two types of blade that can be fitted to Ford keys.

‘Tibbe’ Blade.

This type of key was fitted to most Ford keys from 1992 – 2006, and later than that on the commercial vehicles. The style of key was ground breaking when it first came out, described as ‘unpickable’! For the remote central locking keys, there is only one style available, being a static blade that does not fold down.

Flat Blade

The later type of blade is flat with a groove cut into one edge. This style of key is similar to all new cars and in considered very secure, compared to the older Tibbe keys. With the remote central locking keys, there is the option to have either a flip out blade, or one that is static.

Problems with Ford Car keys

The most common problems affect the following models

Ford Mondeo 1999 – 2006

The ignition becomes very worn and a sharp edge inside the ignition scratches the key blade and ‘files’ away every time the key is used in the ignition. Eventually the key does not turn in the ignition. If a new blade is cut, then normally the key becomes stuck inside the ignition, due to the sharp edges.

Our Solution

The only answer to this problem is to fit a new ignition. Here at the Car Key Man, we supply a new ignition, built up to the original key shape, along with a new blade. The advantage is that the same key will fit all around the car.

Ford Transit 2006 – 2014

These vans have a blue coloured remote central locking fob. Unfortunately they suffer from several problems. Firstly, the key loop that they have moulded, is thin and not very strong. As a result, we see many that are broken.

This is compounded when the owners try to drill a hole through the remote in order to hang their keys. In most cases, this damages the important electrical components meaning that sometimes the van will not start.

Along with this, the batteries are rechargeable and cannot be easily replaced. We see lots that have been opened by force and the damage caused by doing this often stops the van from starting.

Our Solution

The only solution is a new blue remote, which then will need programming to the van. We can do this while you wait.

Ford Fiesta 2009 – Present

These cars have the new, flat blade type of Ford keys. The most common problem we see is where the blade becomes very worn and thin. When this happens, it will not work in the ignition, leaving you stranded.

Worn Fiesta blade

Our Solution

This can usually be easily fixed by cutting a fresh new blade to code and we can do this while you wait.

With all these problems, free advice is always at hand, just call or drop in to show us what problem you are having and we’ll see if we can help.

We’ve found some really good information at the RAC Website Click Here to find out more

Ford Keyless Emergency start HOW TO?