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.
https://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/New-UK-Logo.jpg00Steve Bulleymenthttps://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/New-UK-Logo.jpgSteve Bulleyment2019-03-13 06:39:132019-03-13 06:40:19Ford Keyless Emergency start HOW TO?
If the key battery has stopped doing it’s job, you’re locked out with a key! This is becoming more common as technology creeps into our daily life. Don’t panic. Follow our guide on how to unlock Keyless Ford cars, whichever model you have.
We’re showing a Ford Fiesta, 2015 model, but every Ford that uses this type of key will be the same.
Emergency Unlock Keyless Ford Key
If changing the key battery hasn’t worked, then you must open the car is with the emergency key. This is hidden inside the car key and you may not even know that it’s inside!
Follow these instructions to unlock Keyless Ford get the key blade out.
To remove the blade, you need to remove the key blade cover from the key. Just squeeze the two pads near the key ring holder and the cover lifts.
Gently pull the cover away and you should see the blade. Once the cover is off, then remove the key blade. There’s a special way to use this tiny blade.
If you try to turn it with your fingers, you may not be able to, simply because there’s not much to grab hold of. First you need to slide it into the lock.
The car key designers at Ford, put a slot into key fob, that fits over the key head.
The trick is to offer up the key fob over head of the key blade and use it as a lever.
Then, to unlock Keyless Ford cars, whichever model, turn anti-clockwise. This is to the rear of the car, and it will unlock.
This video will help if you’re struggling. As long as there’s a key blade inside, then you’re out of trouble.
Emergency Unlock Keyless Ford Key Problems
Unlock Keyless Ford problem 1
There isn’t a keyblade inside the key. This is a big problem we’re starting to see. When keys are made for these, coding the key is pretty easy. However, making the blade, and cutting the wavy line that makes the lock work, is hard. This is why when keys get lost, the electronics are replaced, but the blade is missing, which is a big problem if you have a Ford Keyless Key.
Unlock Keyless Ford problem 2
The blade doesn’t turn in the lock, which is odd. Either the lock has never been used, you have the wrong key blade inside the key, or the lock is faulty.
Emergency starting a Ford, using a Ford Keyless key.
So when you manage to get inside the car, well done, you’re halfway there. Don’t worry if the alarm is making alot of noise. Firstly, no-one takes any notice of car alarms anymore, but more importantly, it won’t start the car starting. As soon as the car recognises the car key, the alarm will stop making a noise.
Where do I put the Ford Keyless key?
There’s a special place inside the car that you need to put the car key so it will start. It won’t matter if the car key battery is flat.
Click Here to read our guide on the Ford emergency start system.
https://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/New-UK-Logo.jpg00Steve Bulleymenthttps://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/New-UK-Logo.jpgSteve Bulleyment2018-10-08 07:00:152019-01-30 06:31:21Emergency Unlock Keyless Ford Key
Stranded because of a dodgy key battery? This story includes an embarrassed gent, a £40 Taxi, a flat key battery and a secret Ford emergency key.
Lincolnshire is a BIG county.
Taxis are expensive, simply because Lincolnshire is a big place.
Our customer was embarrassed, because he didn’t know, what he should have been told. If you have this type of key, and don’t know about your secret Ford emergency key, this is for you.
He was really pleased with his new Ford Cmax, recently bought the car from a local dealership. So, he was a bit surprised when he got back to the car and on pressing the key button nothing happened.
That’s odd!
When the buttons were pressed, the mirrors should have unfolded and the lights flash, but nothing.
So, there he was, stuck in the middle of WoodhallSpa, 15 miles from home. Eventually he got a taxi back home get for the spare fob key.
At this point, his Ford emergency key would have saved him.
But he didn’t know…
Embarrasment, Frustration, and the Secret Ford Emergency Key
Three hours in a taxi and £40 later, (after a frantic search of the house) he returned to the car with the spare key. Nothing. Not a flash, not a sound, the car sat silent. The only sound was the Taxi driving away!
Feeling things were conspiring against him, he finally called his local garage who in turn called us. Fortunately, we were close by so dropped in to see what was happening.
By the time we arrived he was exhausted, frustrated, confused and about to be embarrassed. It all involves his Ford emergency key.
Why was he embarrassed?
For a start, the car had been telling him for a while ‘Key battery low’.
He didn’t know how to change the key battery. Worse still, he’d never tried the spare key to see if it worked the car, the one he went home to collect. It didn’t even have a battery inside it, so it didn’t work. But it gets worse.
I asked him if he’d tried the key in the door lock…. nothing.
A blank expression, what Ford emergency key?
At this point I popped the blade out of the key and unlocked the car.
‘How did you do that?’
‘Unbelievable, I was never told about that!’
We can believe that. It’s a small detail that’s normally missed when handing over a £10,000 car to a customer.
Ford Emergency key gets us in the car!
So now we were in the car.
After showing him the emergency start procedure … (more astounded looks) for when the key battery runs out, and replacing his key batteries, he was on his way. Our charge? Considering the day this gent had been through, it was on the house.
Do you know how to unlock your car with the Ford emergency key? Or even the emergency start procedure?
Or are you missing your emergency key blade? If so, here’s how to find an Auto Locksmith to replace them.
Most people don’t do this, but we recommend you get them replaced, before you need it. It’s easier and cheaper to do it when the car is mobile, instead of when you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere like this gent.
We hope this has helped
https://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Unlock-Keyless-Ford3min.jpg10001500Steve Bulleymenthttps://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/New-UK-Logo.jpgSteve Bulleyment2018-10-04 05:47:412019-01-30 06:28:58Locked out with Secret Ford Emergency key
If you have a Ford car, with a keyless fob you leave in your pocket, there’s a good chance you’ll have key trouble. The Ford Keyless key, or ‘smart’ key has a key battery inside.
Gone are the days when you can get away with cheap nasty car key batteries and we see problems every week.
Good news, it’s easy to sort out yourself, without a Ford dealer.
Battery Inside Ford Keyless Key
Your Ford Keyless Key works in tandem with your car. As you approach your car to use it, the key and car have already checked each other out!
This is why when you press the button on the dash, the car starts, just like magic. It’s easy to use and everyone loves it.
That’s unless your Ford Keyless key won’t work, and you’re locked out and the car won’t start. When you understand how everything works, you’ll realise this is normal, there’s no reason to panic.
In the Days before the Ford Keyless Key
In the good old days, there was car lock and a car key. When you put the key in the lock and turned it, something clever happened that let you use the car. The key had a transponder chip inside it, much like the one you have inside a cat or a dog.
The car checked out the chip, making sure it recognised it, and the car engine started. Quick and easy. That was in the olden days.
Then the Ford Keyless key came along.
So fast forward and we still have a transponder chip, but it’s different.
Imagine the car sits there, like an obedient dog, waiting for a call from its owner.
We all know that if you have a pet dog and you’ve been out all day, the moment it hears the key in the door, it’s ready to greet you.
The door opens, and it’s all over you waiting for a stroke and some quality bonding time. This is the same as your car.
When the car is sitting there, imagine it’s a dog. When you approach it, or press the buttons on the Ford Keyless key, then the car should come to life. It’s alert and waiting for the next thing to happen, for you to press the big ‘start button’ so you can go out on a trip.
The problem comes when you have a Ford keyless key that no longer works.
This time when you approach the car, or press the key button, it’s like having a deaf dog. It won’t respond and just sits there doing nothing!
Why is the car ignoring you? One of four reasons.
Ford Keyless Key system is faulty
This is unlikely, but we’ve seen it once. The keys are new, with new key batteries, but they won’t work the remote central locking.
It’s a trip to a Ford specialist I’m afraid and a BIG bill. But that’s the bad news out the way, so let’s not think about big bills.
Ford Keyless Key Problem 1 – Key damage.
This is common, for one of two reasons. Maybe the car key has got wet, which is very bad for this type of key. If it has got wet, then click here to see if you can save it!
Or maybe it’s damaged inside for some other reason. This is hardly surprising. There are tiny delicate components inside, with no protection from the elements.
pic of key damage
We believe it’s a good example of Inferior Component Design and are seeing this throughout the motor trade. Hopefully there’s no key damage which leads us to the most common problem, a flat key battery.
Ford Keyless key Problem 2 – Key Battery low
Ford Keyless key batteries last 12-18 months, so sooner or later you’ll start to get the message that your key battery is low.
If you change it, or get it changed somewhere, then the message should go away.
However if you leave it, or use a really cheap battery, then you’re in for trouble.
Eventually it will stop working and the car will not respond and you’ll get this message, which is bad.
Changing the key battery is very easy as long as you’re careful, and have a good quality battery. Here’s a video we made that shows you how to do it.
When we change them in Lincoln, we charge £10. The owner can come back all the time they have the car and we’ll change it again for free. With this type of Ford keyless key, it’s a good deal! So look out for who else offers this deal.
Ford Keyless Key Problem 3 Flat Car Battery
This catches a few people out sometimes. If the car battery is flat, then it’s never going to respond to the car key. The problem is you won’t be able to tell until you get into the car.
When you get in, put on the hazard lights and see if the flash. If they do, then the car battery is probably ok, but if they don’t flash, you have no power.
So now you need to get into the car, even though the car key buttons won’t work.
This is easy but we’ll need to cover it in another post. Click here to find out how.
One minute your Ford Focus is on the drive, the next it’s gone. You’re probably asleep so won’t know until you wake up. By then the car will be gone and this is happening to cars that use the keyless fob below. Ford Keyless Car Theft is a problem, so we’re talking about it.
The keyless idea is really nice. You don’t have to put anything in the ignition lock. Instead you leave the key in your pocket or handbag and press a button to start the car, simple.
Now, we love new technology. We use the latest key programming equiment and it’s such an interesting job. We play cat and mouse with the dealers who design systems to stop us doing what we do. So Keyless systems are really clever, but they have a flaw. We’ve all heard about companies being hacked, data and passwords stolen, even teenagers hacking into the Pentagon.
So why do the car manufacuteres believe that keys wont be hacked? It’s pretty obvious that when all that protects your car is clever technology, someone clever will work out how to hack your keyless car.
Would a key blade stop Ford Keyless Car Theft?
The metal blade on a car key, especially the newer Ford Focus cars, are pretty difficult to overcome. As Auto-Locksmiths, we regularly make keys to these when all keys are lost. We can have a keyless car running within 15 mins. Whereas, an old-fashioned key with a blade takes much longer. Would I have a keyless car? No chance.
So we wanted to let you know about this problem. Its all over the news, just check out the links below to read whats happening.
We’ve made the Youtube video to try and put over simply what is happpening out there near you. We also make a few simple suggestions, which you may find useful if you want to keep your car.
I’m ok, I’ve got a Mercedes…
Its not just Ford Focus cars. Many keyless cars can be stolen, we’ll get to them in a later post. Here’s the video and we’ve put the captions below if that’s easier. Keep your car safe and we hope this helps.
Hello, there it’s Steve again for The Car Key Man. Today, we’re talking about something really important. It’s about Ford Focus cars getting stolen because they’ve got these type of keys. Now for 2010 they introduced this type of key and it’s called a Smart Key or a Proximity Key. You press the button on the key to get the doors open and then you put your key in your pocket and just press the start button.
It’s really nice. I know you love ’em, lots of customers that we see think it’s a fantastic idea. It works really nice but there’s a big problem. Cars that use this type of key are getting stolen all around the U.K.
Now we’re gonna leave some links in the comments and they’re just kind of news stories and examples of cars getting stolen. You’ll know where to look for and the sort of news to look for and we think that it’s really important that you have a look.
It’s getting close to Lincoln now
I do know that it’s happening close to Lincoln, where we’re based. It’s getting closer and soon it’ll be happening in Lincoln, which is whey we’ve made this video.
Now the way it works is that this key is clever and it waits for a signal from your car. Okay, so when you get into your car, your car’s sitting there, it’s asleep. As soon as you open the car door, the car wakes up and it goes,
“Hello, where’s the key? Where’s the key?”
And your key, because it’s clever, will say, “Here I am.”
And then when the car hears the key, all of a sudden it’s kind of great, you’re good to go. Press the button, the car starts, everyone’s happy, you use the car, you don’t even notice anything happens. The problem is, that to steal your car, all that needs to happen is someone needs to pretend to be the key. Really simple.
Gadgets and keys that talk to cars.
Now, if you’ve got your Focus key in your house at night time and it’s in the middle of the night, your keys are probably by your front door. This is where most people keep their car keys but you’re at risk of having your car stolen. The Ford Keyless Car Theft experts have a gadget, I don’t know what it looks like, we’ve not seen it. That gadget will pretend to be your car. They come up to your house, they come up to your window, by the front door and they’ll say.
“Hello, I’m a car. Is there any key’s there?”
Your key will go, “Oh, here I am. This is me.”
And the gadget rather will say, “Oh great. Thanks very much. I’ve grabbed your signal, that’s it, great stuff.”
Then all they need to do is basically walk up to your car that’s probably parked on the drive or in the street.
The gadget transmits “Hello, I’m the key.” And the car will then go, “Oh okay, fair enough.” It’ll open up. They can put the gadget in the car pretending to be the key, press the button, good done.
Ford Keyless Car Theft Complete
And all of a sudden, someone’s driving off in your nice, shiny, 15,000 pound Focus and it’s gone, you’ll most probably you’re not going to see that car again. It will broken up for bits and put on eBay. That’s just because we’re hearing these keys have a flaw where the signal can be grabbed and they’re using it against you.
So what can you do about this? Well, we’d recommend two things, okay. We’re not experts in keyless systems and we take quite a simple view of how they work. We do program the keys and I know that there are two really basic things that you can do. If you just do these things, you stand a better chance of keeping your car.
Suggestion One to stop Ford Keyless Car Theft
The first thing is don’t keep these Ford Focus keys by the front door or by your window or by anywhere that someone can walk outside next to your house and grab the signal. If you do, your Ford Focus is at risk of getting stolen. So take your car keys away from the road, take them away from the place that someone can come to your house. Put them in the back of the house or upstairs. Some people talk about putting them in the microwave, although if you put your microwave on you’ll just toast your key! So try not to do that. But put them somewhere that they’re not going to get hacked.
Suggestion Two to stop Ford Keyless Car Theft
Okay, the next thing is a bit more radical but it can help. This is asteering wheel disc lock, as it says there. We don’t sell these, the company is called Disklok, we don’t sell ’em but there will be a link at some point in the future where you can click on and buy them. Okay, so it’s worth looking at that. This is a steering wheel cover. It clamps over your steering wheel and then this comes down shut and at that point there when it’s locked, you can’t then get this off without a key.
DISCLAIMER – Disklok and Ford Keyless Car Theft
When we made the video, we had no idea these could be broken off, but comments left on the video indicate they can. Therefore, read the reviews, do some research and choose something good and strong. We still like the Disklok, but maybe there’s another type out there that may suit you better.
Back to the video..
Now these are strong. They’re just steel but they’re well made. When someone’s trying to steal your car with one of these on, this will just slide around, you can’t control the car. If you’ve got any type of car at the moment, I would have one of these. We have one on our car even though it’s not Keyless.
Now it’s gonna be a real pain, you putting that on your car at night time, okay. I know that. It doesn’t look very nice, it’s not meant to look very nice but we believe it will help stop your car getting stolen. If that’s what you have to do every night now with a keyless system, then that’s your best chance you have that your car won’t get taken.
Ford Keyless Car Theft Summary
So just a summary then, if you’ve got a keyless key you need to stop the signal from your key getting onto a gadget and your getting stolen. Keep the keys away from the front door, get yourself a Disklok or another brand that suits you. Make your Ford Focus the one that’s just a bit more secure than your nextdoor neighbour and they’ll take theirs instead of yours. Okay, we hope this video helps.
https://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Focus-2011-2016.jpg7681024Steve Bulleymenthttps://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/New-UK-Logo.jpgSteve Bulleyment2018-05-17 05:56:422019-01-28 06:46:51Ford Keyless Car Theft Ford Focus
There’s a problem with the new style Ford Focus Flip key and maybe it’s causing frustration for you. If you’re having problems with a wobbly blade, or one that won’t flick out anymore, you’re not alone. Its becoming a popular topic of conversation at our key repair shop. So we decided to show you how to put it right. Our Ford Focus flip key repair, returns the key to working order and we hope it helps you.
You’ll need
A replacement Key Case
Circlip pliers
Hammer and punch (if you need to swap the blade)
A new CR 2032 key battery
This video will show you how to fix it and below is the transcript if you need to refer to it.
Ford Focus Flip key Repair 2011-2016
Okay, we’re finally fixing the flip key today. It’s for a Ford Focus 2012 or 2013, and when you press the button, and that’s as far as it (the blade) goes. You have to pull it all the way out with your finger to get it out. A bit sad looking, and not very good, really.
So we’re going to show you how to swap it into this repair case. This is one that we’ve been sent by Colin as well, our postal customer. And this one springs out nice. We’re just going to swap the electronics over. The first thing you’ll need to do is get the key blade out, and we need to open the case, which is really straightforward.
Again, as always, these are our best friends.
These Circlip pliers are the best tool we have for the job.
Ford Focus Flip Key Repair Stage 1- Opening the key
These are unusual pliers, because when you squeeze the handle, the jaws open.
This is what we use to open up most keys. So you need to put the end of the pliers into the gap as shown.
Give it a squeeze. And that has opened up the key nice and easy. The key is only glued together, there are no screws or rivots.
Once its open, we don’t need these broken parts anymore. Save the keyring, to put into the new key.
Ford Focus Flip Key Repair Stage 2 – Remove the electronics
We’re going to take this electronics board out . So rather than trying to get a screwdriver in there and damage something, if you just turn it over and tap it, that will just come out nice and easy.
Let me show you something really important.
This part here is really important. It’s the aerial that allows the transponder to be seen by the car and it gets damaged. When this happens, your Ford Focus will stop starting, which is bad. We believe that in the next 3-5 years, this is going to be a big problem. This is just because weve seen a similar system fail in the other manufaturers keys. Okay, so the new case has obviously got to come open. So once again, pliers in those and it should come open nice and easy. Open it up, and the little spring mechanism is going to come out. That’s no problem. We’ll just keep it all safe.
Next thing is to pop the circuit board into the new key case. That should just sit in there nicely.
Ford Focus Flip Key Repair Stage 3 – Swapping the blade?
Next, we’ve got the blade mechanism.
Firstly, this part here is different to this. It’s been made differently, so you can’t just put this old bit into a new case. It won’t work, okay? So forget about that.
The next thing is: Can you take this blade out and put it into this key? You might be able to, but the trouble is the little tail that’s in there, is different to the little tail on the end of this one.
So if you want to put this old key blade into this new hinge mechanism, you’re going to need to file it down slightly and mess about.
We’re just going to cut this key, it’s just going to be no bother. But you can have a go at doing that if you want. To swap the blades you’ll need to knock out the pins from both.
KEY REPAIR WARNING This is when most of the key repair projects fail. This is because, we see owners hitting hell out of the old and new cases, just trying to get the blade out.
It’s easy to damage the new mechanism, or make the hole too big so that the old blade is wobbly. We think you should find someone to cut it. But that’s easy for us to say!
Ford Focus Flip Key Repair Stage 4 – Rebuilding new key
Okay, so the next thing is to build up the flip mechanism, and we just need to pop this flip button into the hinge hole. It’s just a little bit fiddly.
Excuse the sight of my hands, I’ve been stripping locks today, and they’re a bit sore. Okay, next thing is to pop the spring into the flip button. So it’s the end without the tail. That goes into there. Next thing we’re going to take the blade mechanism, and it needs to go onto this half of the repair key. This little spigot here lines up with that hole. So you’ve just got to bear with me while we line it up.
Okay, and then you have to remember that it’s going to flick clockwise, so you have to wind it anti-clockwise. So wind it around. Okay. So that’s all caught.
That’s all good, the next thing is we need to marry the two parts of the key case. It might be easier if you let the blade slightly out. That’s it, flick the blade out. Then give it a bit of a squeeze. Okay, now we’ve got that all together. The blade folds over and flicks just fine, so that’s good. The only thing we have forgotten is this end here has a ring, and that should be through there. I’m just going to open it up quickly and put that on there.
So all I did there was I just opened it up slightly, and pushed the ring into there and the ring’s in there now.
Ford Focus Flip Key Repair Stage 5 – Fitting the key battery
The next thing is to put a battery in. I’ve got a Maxell 2032. We’re going to slide it in, a bit fiddly. That end has to go in first, and then it disappears inside. Then don’t forget, we’ve got a little screw that needs to go into there, that’s going to keep the key together. Don’t have a screw loose. So let’s just screw that. I should have had a decent screwdriver, but anyway.
Okay, so that’s all good. The last thing is these clips need to go into the key. Just pop that one in first. Okay, so that’s that cover on. Just by pushing each tab, eventually it clicks into place.
If you need to get it open, here is a handy video we made just about changing the key battery.
Ford Focus Flip Key Repair Stage 6 – Cutting the key
The last thing now we need to do is cut this key blade. Okay, so if you can, get your key cut by someone that’s got a machine that can cut it to code, because you have a better finish and it means that it was as the original key was. Okay, so there we go. The blade has been cut, so that’s all good to go, same as the customer’s blade, and it flips out nice.
So with a three button Ford Focus key, you are good to go.
Here is our Ford Focus Car Keys Factfile. It’s all our knowledge and experience on the keys that come with the Ford Focus 2011-2016. We cover quality, price and how easy they are to replace, when they’re lost.
Basic Information
Ford car keys used to be very good quality, the best on the market. The shame is that with a new model of Ford Focus brings a new design of car key. It’s not good news I’m afraid. The Ford Focus 2011-2016 uses three types of car key, depending on which model you have. There are two different remote key with buttons.
The first type of remote key with a flip blade, the other is a ‘keyless’ key, that works on a proximity signal. This article looks at the traditional style of key. To read our review of the proximity keys on the Focus Click Here. Lastly, they can also have a key without buttons, one that unlocks the car manually and then starts it. However, there are a few issues with these keys and they are discussed later.
Ford Focus 2011-2016 Remote Key
The new type of key for the Ford Focus 2011-2016 is a disappointment in terms of quality. The type of blade is the standard high security design, no problems there. However, the flip design is not very strong in our opinion, and we are seeing 3-4 year old keys looking a bit shabby.The blades either fail to flip out, or won’t retract. To read all about the problems with these keys click here
Non Remote keys
The standard transponder key can be used on all newer models of Ford Focus, apart from keyless types. However, with the racy models such as the ST, the alarm may sound as soon as you open the door. To stop the alarm, simply turn on the ignition with a programmed key. So if you’re after a cheaper key, a non-button key will work as a spare, but you’ll have to put the key in the ignition quickly every time you unlock the car, otherwise there may be alot of noise!
Ford Focus Car Keys Factfile Scores
Spare Keys
Expect to pay around £150 for the standard remote key and around £75 for a key without buttons. This is becoming the standard price for many car keys.
These are a let down in our opinion. Expect to get 3-4 years out of a new remote key. If your buying a used Focus from 2011 onwards, then be prepared to get a new remote key. There is the option of getting it fixed, click here to find out how.
The diagnostic equipment that most Auto Locksmith companies use, programme these without the need for codes, making it nice and simple. However, the key cannot be ‘cloned’ yet, which prevents the simple key cutting shops selling these keys. For this reason, we give it three stars, you’ll need to find an Auto-Locksmith that has high quality equipment, or use the dealer. For a spare key, the key can be cut on a tracing machine easily, without the need for a key code. So for spare keys, there are no key codes needed, just good, expensive equipment.
This job is simple and most Auto Locksmiths will keep the parts in stock, you shouldn’t have to wait long to get new keys. Waiting more than one working day for a spare key is a long time.
Lost Keys
Losing your keys to a new Ford Focus 2011-2016 can be really bad news, depending on whether you have a good Auto-Locksmith locally. Ford do not always keep a record of your key number, it really depends of the branch and how professional they are.
The upshot is that key codes for Ford cars are generally not available. The problem is, to cut a key, when all are lost, you need a code. However, unlike the dealer, A good Auto Locksmith can unlock a New Ford and cut a key, without a key number. They should also work out the key number and give you it, which will save you time and money in the future, should you need another car key.
Ford score very low on codes, simply because the lack of codes from the dealer, makes it much more difficult to get a key cut when all keys are lost.
As we’ve already explained, the dealers cannot replace a lost key without a key number. Sometimes, the only way they can get you up and running is to replace all the locks. The good news is, they’re easy to programme compared to other vehicles, as long as the latest diagnostic equipment is used. Therefore, you should expect to pay somewhere between £220-£300 for two keys, one of which will have buttons. This should include the cost of someone coming out to you in a van, which will save you the cost of recovering the car to the dealer.
Ford’s decision to change the key design is not good for us as users. We believe the old style key was much better and so sadly, this key is rated much lower.
Useful Car Key Man Information
Looking for information on other Ford car keys? Click Here to read our guide
How to change the key battery
This popular video will show you how to change the battery easily.
https://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Focus-2011-2016.jpg7681024Steve Bulleymenthttps://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/New-UK-Logo.jpgSteve Bulleyment2018-05-10 06:23:382018-05-09 22:15:08Ford Focus 2011-2016 Car Keys Price and Problems
If you have a Ford Focus 2011-2016, read on. Are you looking for a hard wearing, high-quality Car key? This isn’t the news you want, but here goes.
Unfortunately, these new Ford car keys now join the rest of the bunch, sat in the corner with the bad boys. They have trouble designed into them, and this article explains why.
There are the two main problems.
Ford Focus 2011-2016 car key problem one
The spring mechanism isn’t up to it. We’re seeing 2-3 year-old keys that no longer spring out. Likewise, we’re also seeing blades that won’t stay retracted when folded away.
When you consider that many cars are on a three-year lease, it means that annoying and frustrating problem will be hitting the second-hand Car showroom sometime soon.
Ford Focus 2011-2016 car key Problem Two
Ford have finally gone with the crowd and changed from the tried and tested, carbon sealed transponder chip.
The older type of chip can be driven over, dropped, and submerged in water and it keeps working.
They have left this fool proof design and moved over to the French system that integrates the chip into a circuit board.
Unfortunately, this less than rugged design is susceptible to damage. This can happen should a butterfly, on the other side of the world, flap its wings. Other causes are keys being dropped, thrown, and getting wet. As well as this, just using it as a car key won’t help.
This change, from a strong hardy chip, to a delicate circuit board is very disappointing. Ford car keys have been excellent quality and the very last manufacturer to convert. We used to give their keys a lifetime warranty, we can’t with this key.
What can be done about this problem?
The good news is two-fold.
Firstly, the keys are reasonably priced. Expect to pay around £150 for a remote key, cut and coded from an independent. The dealers are charging around £200 we understand.
Secondly, there is now a good fix for the broken flip problem.
A repair case is now available and once everything has been swapped over, the cases we’ve seen are good quality.
Watch our video below to see how we fix these.
The only issue is swapping the blade from your old key into the new one. The blade tang (the bit that gets gripped by the key) is sometimes a different shape to in the new case and the old blade won’t fit, or be held securely.
If this happens, you’ll need to get the blade cut.
The good news about this model is that they still use a non-rechargeable CR2032 battery. This is good because it can be easily changed.
Watch our video on how to change the key battery
On the Transit and custom models, these have gone over to rechargeable batteries, which is a backwards step in our opinion.
Read our article on problems with rechargeable batteries here.
Overall, a disappointment. Ford have always produced high quality keys, however this is a departure from an excellent track record.
Ford keys were the last to hold our lifetime warranty, but on this model, it’s no longer available.
We hope this helps!
https://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Focus-2011-2016.jpg7681024Steve Bulleymenthttps://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/New-UK-Logo.jpgSteve Bulleyment2018-05-07 21:56:392019-01-28 06:39:02Ford Focus 2011-2016 Common Car Key Problems
Ford car won’t start – Do you have a Ford car key problem?
This is a really easy one. In fourteen years, we’ve very rarely seen a Ford car key problem that stops the car starting. The transponder chips are excellent quality. Therefore, even if you have problems with the key falling apart, or buttons not working, this shouldn’t effect the car or van starting.
Standard Ford Remote Key
Symptoms of a Ford Car Key Problem
Does the car try and start? Is the car turning over, or cranking? The immobiliser works by preventing the starter motor, amongst other things from working. Therefore, if the car is winding over, but not firing up, then you can be certain that you don’t have a Ford car key problem. However, if it won’t even try and start, then the key is worth looking at.
There is an immobiliser light on early Fords. It’s always red and it’s normally a red dot, or a red padlock symbol. There are three things the Ford immobiliser light will do.
Immobiliser, or ‘PATs’ Light
Normal operation. With no keys in the ignition, or the car locked up, the red light will flash once every second. This is normal and means the immobiliser is set. When you turn the ignition on, the red light should come on for a second then go out.
If this happens, the car is happy with the key and you don’t have a car key problem.
Immobiliser light flashing. This time, when you turn the ignition on, the light flashes very quickly, about four times faster than before.
If this happens then the car does not recognise the key. We see this when either the key hasn’t been programmed, or the cloned chip has failed. Sometimes, if a Ford Focus or Mondeo has been stood for a long time and the battery has gone flat, the car forgets the keys. This will also display very fast flasing light.
Immobiliser light solid red. We don’t see this much, but sometimes, if there’s a different problem on the car, such as a communications fault, the light stays on red. The car will not crank and this will look like a key problem. However this is wrong. A solid red light needs to be investigated by a skilled technician.
What to look at with Ford vehicles.
Even though Ford keys are excellent, there are a couple of exceptions to look for. About ten years ago, the clever people at the key factories managed to work out how to clone the key, just like Dolly the sheep, remember her?
Read about the problems with cloning keys click here.
Cloning car keys changed things for ever. Cloned keys are what you buy at key cutting shops and are often alot cheaper than a properly programmed car key.
Different types of Cloing chips
There are more Ford cars in the UK than any other make, and so more Ford cloned keys than any other. So we started to see problems with Ford car keys. Cloning chips fail, and whenever we attend a car key breakdown on a Ford, it’s normally a cloned car key problem. We’ve only ever seen two genuine Ford chips fail in fourteen years, we think that is excellent record.
The other exception is Ford Transit vans. These have a new type of chip, that is on all french vehicles and the scourge of the motor trade. When this type of key is dropped and damaged, the chip does fail and the van will not start. Look for a flashing immobiliser light and no crank.
Key not detected
The newer Ford cars do not have an immobiliser light. They have a display that will tell you what the problem is.
The increase in proximity smart keys is causing a big problem for owners. These keys are very delicate inside and we are starting to see car key breakdowns, caused by a failiure of the key. The car will display a car key problem by telling you ‘key not detected’ on the dashboard. when this happens you need a new car key.
Ford Cars Stolen without keys
This is a big problem and is on the increase. If you have a keyless Ford car, you should click here.
How good are Ford Keys compared to other keys? Click Here to find out
https://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Ford.jpg300500Steve Bulleymenthttps://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/New-UK-Logo.jpgSteve Bulleyment2017-12-13 06:18:462019-01-27 20:57:35Car won't start Ford car key problem?
When Ford changed the design of their Ford Focus flip key, they changed an easy little job into a bit of a puzzle. We’ve seen several of these keys that have been forced open and broken, searching for a way to get to the battery!
However, it’s very simple when you know how and you just need a small flat bladed screwdriver and good eyes. Firstly, watch this video on the correct method on how to change the key battery on your new Focus flip key.
Step One
Please, buy a good battery. Most of the problems we see with central locking keys is that a 99p battery has been put into the key of their £15,000 car. When his happens, the keys will play up because alot of cheap batteries just don’t have enough power. We only use Maxell batteries and know they are good quality.
Good quality car key battery from Maxell
Step Two
There is a cover that hides the battery compartment of the key. It’s only held in place by a small plastic tab. To find the tab, simply flick the key blade out. Look in the space where the key blade was and you will see a small plastic tab.
Step Three
Take a small flat blade screwdriver and gently press the tab. Don’t be rough with it because you may snap the tab, just a gentle push and it will open the cover of the battery compartment.
Step Four
As we show in the video above, the important thing is to remove the battery and then put the new one in the correct way up. There are only two ways the battery can go in. When the battery is the correct way up, you can read the writing on it.
Step Five
If you look at the battery compartment cover, there are three tabs. One is in the side of the cover and this is the one that is pressed in to release it in step two. The other two tabs, that are at either end just locate into the correct place. Pop the cover back on, making sure the side tab goes into the hole last, after the rest of the cover is pressed shut. It should be an easy fit so don’t force it.
How do I re-programme the buttons on my Ford Focus Key?
With the new Focus key, the buttons work automatically when transponder chip is coded in. This means that if the key starts the engine, then it should also work the central locking. If the remote doesn’t work after you fit the battery, then it’s possible that there’s something else wrong. Find a good Auto Locksmith or key cutting shop and ask them to check to see if it’s transmitting.
Can my Ford Focus key be repaired ?
These keys are showing signs of wear fairly quickly and the blade becomes ‘floppy’ and doesn’t always flip out very well. There are now repair cases available that allow you to open up the old key, and transfer the circuit board into the new case. Check out the link below to see how this is done.
https://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Focus-2011-2016.jpg7681024Steve Bulleymenthttps://thecarkeyman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/New-UK-Logo.jpgSteve Bulleyment2017-10-09 05:46:232019-01-26 07:21:02Ford Focus 2011 - 2016 How to replace the key battery?
