"Key Not Found" Ford no help

[Kurto125]

Stopped a gas station. When I got back in and tried to start my 2023 Big Bend, I got no action and the message "Key Not Found" even though I used the fob tio unlock the doors. Called Ford customer service. 17 minute call, rep put me on hold twice and came back saying "no troubleshooting tips for fob. Customer privacy. Call the dealer."
Did a quick AI search and was led to a YouTube video that showed exacctly what to do. There's a fob-shaped depression at the bottom of the center console (see pic). Put the fob in, started right up. Replaced fob battery and it works fine.

Lessons learned: 1) Ford cust svc should have known that immediately. 2) Always use the Internet.
(PLEASE no smart alecky "read the manual" comments)

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[HighVelocity]

RTFM strikes again.

 

[FstFrd00]

Camped when it was 10°, battery in the fob died in the cold. I had to use that indention as well.

 

[C6ZZGT]

Stopped a gas station. When I got back in and tried to start my 2023 Big Bend, I got no action and the message "Key Not Found" even though I used the fob tio unlock the doors. Called Ford customer service. 17 minute call, rep put me on hold twice and came back saying "no troubleshooting tips for fob. Customer privacy. Call the dealer."
Did a quick AI search and was led to a YouTube video that showed exacctly what to do. There's a fob-shaped depression at the bottom of the center console (see pic). Put the fob in, started right up. Replaced fob battery and it works fine.

Lessons learned: 1) Ford cust svc should have known that immediately. 2) Always use the Internet.
(PLEASE no smart alecky "read the manual" comments)

RTFM,Could have saved yourself the trouble.

 

[Kurto125]

Calling the manufacturer support line should be quicker than RTFM. It was 99 degrees, I couldn't roll down the windows, and had somewhere to be. Scrolling through TFM was not a reasonable solution.

 

[C6ZZGT]

Calling the manufacturer support line should be quicker than RTFM. It was 99 degrees, I couldn't roll down the windows, and had somewhere to be. Scrolling through TFM was not a reasonable solution.

3 yrs is plenty of time

 

[HighVelocity]

It was 99 degrees, I couldn't roll down the windows

You'd think someone with a station wagon could figure out the only upside such an excessive number of doors could offer.

 

[CalvinT]

Stopped a gas station. When I got back in and tried to start my 2023 Big Bend, I got no action and the message "Key Not Found" even though I used the fob tio unlock the doors. Called Ford customer service. 17 minute call, rep put me on hold twice and came back saying "no troubleshooting tips for fob. Customer privacy. Call the dealer."
Did a quick AI search and was led to a YouTube video that showed exacctly what to do. There's a fob-shaped depression at the bottom of the center console (see pic). Put the fob in, started right up. Replaced fob battery and it works fine.

Lessons learned: 1) Ford cust svc should have known that immediately. 2) Always use the Internet.
(PLEASE no smart alecky "read the manual" comments)

My salesman told me about that when I picked up my Bronco.

 

[BadlandsCarbon]

Thank you for that information. Didn't know it was there under the piece of gray carpet at the bottom.

 

[Roger123]

I'll save you the RTFM comments, LOL.

Did you ever get a low battery warning for the fob? My Jeep tells me when it's getting low and the Bronco is supposed to as well, page 70 of the manual, haha.

This is something that everyone should be aware of as all cars have a way around a dead fob battery and they're all different.

 

[RC Bronco]

Could have tried global window down - press unlock button on fob then press and hold unlock button for 5 seconds

Would still have to use that under carpet fob space to start the vehicle. I’ve had to do it out in the middle of Death Valley. Was a bit freaky being 2200 miles from home, trying to get back to Lone Pine before dark, with a vehicle that wouldn’t find the key fob

 

[userdude]

I would agree, Ford Customer Service should have suggested using that. I know about it and I still might have forgotten in the moment.

 

[lakesinai]

Stopped a gas station. When I got back in and tried to start my 2023 Big Bend, I got no action and the message "Key Not Found" even though I used the fob tio unlock the doors. Called Ford customer service. 17 minute call, rep put me on hold twice and came back saying "no troubleshooting tips for fob. Customer privacy. Call the dealer."
Did a quick AI search and was led to a YouTube video that showed exacctly what to do. There's a fob-shaped depression at the bottom of the center console (see pic). Put the fob in, started right up. Replaced fob battery and it works fine.

Lessons learned: 1) Ford cust svc should have known that immediately. 2) Always use the Internet.
(PLEASE no smart alecky "read the manual" comments)

Thanks for sharing the story, I forgot about that indent. I've had several similar events. I've changed my fob battery 3-4 times over 5 years, and when my car battery / electric system started acting wierd at 4 years last fall, I replaced the AGM Battery too. It seems like in today's cars, battery is King !

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