Key Not Detected

[nolimits]

A few weeks I was in some remote areas for work. Much of the trip was poor to no cell signal. Stopped for fuel & a bathroom break.

Noticed the “no key detected” warning when I shut off to fuel. Ugh, I thought. Anyhow when I was done I jumped back in and sure enough — nada, with another key not detected warning.

Barely had cell signal and found quick resolve. Pull all junk from center console, remove the pad and place the key fob in the depression. It started right up.

Feeling lucky I drive 3+ hours home. In my garage I shut off and retest it. No warnings & starts fine. Been good ever since.

The sporadic behavior is concerning. I can already hear the dealer, “we can’t get to replicate”. And my response as well, “That’s right f*ckers, there’s a gremlin loose in my vehicle, now figure it out”.

Any thoughts on the sporadic behavior? Only thing I can come up with is it couldn’t phone home and freaked out. I doubt the dealer will like that smart ass comment either.

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[Rivers90]

Where was your fob when it said no fob?

 

[Rivers90]

Could this have been why?

Newer Ford fobs have a built-in motion sensor that detects when the fob is stationary for a certain period (40 seconds) and triggers sleep mode. This prevents criminals from amplifying the fob's signal with relay devices and stealing the car.

 

[Brian_B]

Mine will say that if I throw the fob in the console under the hvac controls for some reason - seems to be fairly finicky on where you have it placed

 

[BroncoChallenger]

This has been a recurring problem with Broncos, something to do with the PATS system IIRC. I have even seen it a couple times in ours, usually just trying again gets it to go.

Basically the fob doesn't communicate well with all the receivers in the vehicle, and there may or may not be something actually wrong. Each receiver needs to be tested, and one or more may need to be replaced.

 

[Nc211]

If it’s next to an iPhone, it can be lost by the car. Happens to me all the friggin time if I have my keys next to my iPhone. Not unique to just Ford though, it’s basically a widely known annoyance across many car makers.

 

[Headsong]

Had mine do it, AFTER it started! while FOB in my pocket. Just shook my head.

 

[PBar]

I had the "No Key Detected" intermittently recently, and changed out the battery in the key fob. No issues since. I've had the Bronco 3 years, so not sure of expected lifespan of the battery.

 

[CalvinT]

I just replaced my battery. I took delivery in April 2023. I was getting erratic action from my key fob.

FYI, it came with a Panasonic battery, they're one of the best brands for these batteries.

 

[nolimits]

Where was your fob when it said no fob?

Mine will say that if I throw the fob in the console under the hvac controls for some reason - seems to be fairly finicky on where you have it placed

If it’s next to an iPhone, it can be lost by the car. Happens to me all the friggin time if I have my keys next to my iPhone. Not unique to just Ford though, it’s basically a widely known annoyance across many car makers.

Had mine do it, AFTER it started! while FOB in my pocket. Just shook my head.

This particular day I was on the road about 9 hours total so I had points where all these things occurred.

When I stopped and had the issues, the fob was in my right front pocket along with my wallet. I distinctly recall this because my thoughts was maybe one or more of the buttons got pushed and weakened/killed the battery.

Earlier in the day I had tossed the keys/fob in the cubby under the AC controls.

And I have an iPhone 15 which was plugged in and sitting in the AC cubby and cup holders most the day (no fancy phone holder for me, lol).

Lastly my memory was jogged and I recall the key not detected message while driving. I had dismissed it because I had stopped at a few job sites and left the Bronco running and walked a block or so away while capturing some photos. I thought it just didn’t like me leaving the Bronco. But it was so much earlier in the day I didn’t think it was related.

 

[HeliPilot]

Mine shows not detected every time I place it under HVAC controls.

 

[Big Red Rocket of Love]

Sounds like the fix here is to ditch the Apple and go Android. Personally I've never had this happen...

~Steve

 

[MayhemMike]

Android and I keep the fob attached to a belt loop and not in my pocket. So far so good.

 

[Mako]

A few weeks I was in some remote areas for work. Much of the trip was poor to no cell signal. Stopped for fuel & a bathroom break.

Noticed the “no key detected” warning when I shut off to fuel. Ugh, I thought. Anyhow when I was done I jumped back in and sure enough — nada, with another key not detected warning.

Barely had cell signal and found quick resolve. Pull all junk from center console, remove the pad and place the key fob in the depression. It started right up.

Feeling lucky I drive 3+ hours home. In my garage I shut off and retest it. No warnings & starts fine. Been good ever since.

The sporadic behavior is concerning. I can already hear the dealer, “we can’t get to replicate”. And my response as well, “That’s right f*ckers, there’s a gremlin loose in my vehicle, now figure it out”.

Any thoughts on the sporadic behavior? Only thing I can come up with is it couldn’t phone home and freaked out. I doubt the dealer will like that smart ass comment either.

mine does this when I have not securely plugged my doors back in after removal, it also effects the courtesy window drop

 

[DBX2]

mine does this when I have not securely plugged my doors back in after removal, it also effects the courtesy window drop

We’ve experienced all of the above occasional incidents. Luckily has not been an operational issue overall, just a nuisance.

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