Programming third key fob?

[bkirchhoff]

I purchased a third, blank, OEM key and fob. Found the programming instructions in the 2024 owners manual. Followed them to the letter three times but the new key fob still won’t open or start the Bronco. Is this likely a faulty key fob? Is there some extra trick to following those instructions that I’m missing? Anyone else run into issues programming the third when you have both of the keys it came with?

EDIT: Well, the owners manual instructions aren’t thorough. It doesn’t tell you in those instructions that you press AND HOLD the ignition button when you put the third, blank fob into the slot. This post had a link to a Reddit thread that explained this more clearly than the owners manual does:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...e-fully-functioning-oem-key-fob-spares.85904/

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[indio22]

Last year I bought and successfully programmed a cheap 3rd party keyfob from eBay. But I used the instructions provided by forum member @Ducati1098

See this link for the instructions: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/additional-key-fob.71554/

 

[Dkirk]

FOB buttons down in appropriate place in center console. I had the same issue. Buttons down worked first time.

 

[JBlanco]

I reprogrammed an used fob a while ago. You have to be fairly quick completing the process.

 

[Bill K]

I reprogrammed an used fob a while ago. You have to be fairly quick completing the process.

Concur. Had 2 failed attempts until I got up to speed

 

[e34john]

You can confirm if the key was successful by going into the vehicle settings and see how many keys are currently assigned.

 

[Gnomad]

FOB buttons down in appropriate place in center console. I had the same issue. Buttons down worked first time.

this is important. Annoying yet vital.

 

[CalvinT]

After three or four attempts I managed to program a third fob. The instructions in the manual could be better.

I had to read the instructions for accessing the passivekey backup position and read through a couple of threads on here for details left out of the instructions in the manual.

Make sure the buttons are facing upward and the unlock button is facing the front of the vehicle. It doesn't matter if the metal key is in the fob or not.

The manual implies progamming is complete after finishing the seven steps in the manual. Not true, you need to start your Bronco with the new fob to complete the process. If you don't do that, the programming won't take. Start your Bronco while new fob is still in the backup slot.

The manual says to push on the brake pedal. That's only if you have an automatic. If you have a manual, push on the clutch pedal. Then push the ignition button to start the engine. You should then get a confirmation.

Finally, my system gave no prompts during the programming process. So you won't know if you're doing it correctly until you're done. You'll only get a confirmation that programming was successful after you start the engine with the new fob. Your system may be different.

I bought my fob from a Ford dealer in Las Vegas for $30.38 plus shipping. My dealer wanted around $200. Other online Ford dealers have similar pricing. Don't take chances with Amazon or Ebay, you may not get the correct fob.

It seems the part number for all Bronco fobs is M2DZ-15K601-XX with XX depending on your model of Bronco. The suffix determines the frequency of the fob and number of buttons. You need to have the correct suffix.

My spare fob still had a sticker with the part number. If the sticker is gone, you can find the correct number by removing the metal key as if you were replacing the battery. The part number is in very tiny white print above the recess where you insert a coin to open the battery cover. You will find the correct suffix there.

A final detail. For my 2023 Badlands manual, Ford's system says M2DZ-15K60-A. But the number on all my fobs is M2DZ-15K601-AB. I don't know what difference the B makes. I didn't include it when ordering and it didn't show on the invoice.

As with all my posts YMMV.

 

[slycat67]

After three or four attempts I managed to program a third fob. The instructions in the manual could be better.

I had to read the instructions for accessing the passivekey backup position and read through a couple of threads on here for details left out of the instructions in the manual.

Make sure the buttons are facing upward and the unlock button is facing the front of the vehicle. It doesn't matter if the metal key is in the fob or not.

The manual implies progamming is complete after finishing the seven steps in the manual. Not true, you need to start your Bronco with the new fob to complete the process. If you don't do that, the programming won't take. Start your Bronco while new fob is still in the backup slot.

The manual says to push on the brake pedal. That's only if you have an automatic. If you have a manual, push on the clutch pedal. Then push the ignition button to start the engine. You should then get a confirmation.

Finally, my system gave no prompts during the programming process. So you won't know if you're doing it correctly until you're done. You'll only get a confirmation that programming was successful after you start the engine with the new fob. Your system may be different.

I bought my fob from a Ford dealer in Las Vegas for $30.38 plus shipping. My dealer wanted around $200. Other online Ford dealers have similar pricing. Don't take chances with Amazon or Ebay, you may not get the correct fob.

It seems the part number for all Bronco fobs is M2DZ-15K601-XX with XX depending on your model of Bronco. The suffix determines the frequency of the fob and number of buttons. You need to have the correct suffix.

My spare fob still had a sticker with the part number. If the sticker is gone, you can find the correct number by removing the metal key as if you were replacing the battery. The part number is in very tiny white print above the recess where you insert a coin to open the battery cover. You will find the correct suffix there.

A final detail. For my 2023 Badlands manual, Ford's system says M2DZ-15K60-A. But the number on all my fobs is M2DZ-15K601-AB. I don't know what difference the B makes. I didn't include it when ordering and it didn't show on the invoice.

As with all my posts YMMV.

Well that took all of 30 seconds... lol. how often does that happen? #never

 

[Moe-Jave]

Hi all — I have what appears to be a slightly different issue. I have successfully programmed an aftermarket fob, but it cannot operate the locks. The battery in the fob tests fine and I swapped in another known good battery without success. I followed the programming directions here and it worked the first time and gave the expected “key programmed successfully“message on the display (I even programmed it a second time with the same successful results but still cannot operate the locks).

What’s interesting here is that I can start the Bronco in the console slot with a field charge (just like you’d expect from a known good fob with a low battery). It works reliably to start but still cannot operate the locks at all. I see the small red LED light up when I start the Bronco.

The included photo is the unit I bought from Amazon. I see it has a high return rate but a high rating (could be suspicious).

Anyone else encounter this issue? I suppose it is still useful for a backup fob and I plan to get the key laser cut at a local dealership. For the money, I’m not complaining but hoping I’m overlooking something simple. Thanks!

 

[adam1991]

I purchased a third, blank, OEM key and fob. Found the programming instructions in the 2024 owners manual. Followed them to the letter three times but the new key fob still won’t open or start the Bronco. Is this likely a faulty key fob? Is there some extra trick to following those instructions that I’m missing? Anyone else run into issues programming the third when you have both of the keys it came with?

EDIT: Well, the owners manual instructions aren’t thorough. It doesn’t tell you in those instructions that you press AND HOLD the ignition button when you put the third, blank fob into the slot. This post had a link to a Reddit thread that explained this more clearly than the owners manual does:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...e-fully-functioning-oem-key-fob-spares.85904/

Here are the instructions from my 2023 user manual.

 

[Brian_B]

Hi all — I have what appears to be a slightly different issue. I have successfully programmed an aftermarket fob, but it cannot operate the locks. The battery in the fob tests fine and I swapped in another known good battery without success. I followed the programming directions here and it worked the first time and gave the expected “key programmed successfully“message on the display (I even programmed it a second time with the same successful results but still cannot operate the locks).

What’s interesting here is that I can start the Bronco in the console slot with a field charge (just like you’d expect from a known good fob with a low battery). It works reliably to start but still cannot operate the locks at all. I see the small red LED light up when I start the Bronco.

The included photo is the unit I bought from Amazon. I see it has a high return rate but a high rating (could be suspicious).

Anyone else encounter this issue? I suppose it is still useful for a backup fob and I plan to get the key laser cut at a local dealership. For the money, I’m not complaining but hoping I’m overlooking something simple. Thanks!

Are you sure you ordered the right fob? There are two different frequencies that get used - order the wrong one and it won’t work with the radios in your Bronco. Have to closely check the part number for compatibility

 

[adam1991]

OEM piece off of Ebay, included blank, was $65. Programming the remote was free, having a real locksmith cut the blank was $20.

 

[Moe-Jave]

Are you sure you ordered the right fob? There are two different frequencies that get used - order the wrong one and it won’t work with the radios in your Bronco. Have to closely check the part number for compatibility

Right, that's a fair question and think that is along the lines of the problem now. See picture, however, and it calls out the Bronco specifically. That paired with the comments about it working fine for the Bronco...

 

[Brian_B]

Right, that's a fair question and think that is along the lines of the problem now. See picture, however, and it calls out the Bronco specifically. That paired with the comments about it working fine for the Bronco...

Yeah even if you went straight to Ford, there are multiple versions - particularly different if you have remote start or not.

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