No Key Detected HELP

[CitrusBronco]

I wonder how long it will be when we return to a physical ignition key. Everything seems to go in a circle.
Maybe my grandkids will tell me, “hey grandpa, look my new car comes with a key like in the old days”

Sponsored

 

[Robs]

lol you should see the description and operation of how some other systems work in vehicles, this is easy in comparison. Great example of how vehicles have become much harder to work on though. Not as easy as just turning a key like the good old days.

Tru dat. I used to be able to sit in the engine bay straddling the 4 cylinder carbureted engine and do everything myself. Now I am only able to do fluid/filter changes, tire rotations and MAYBE a brake service (but that has yet to be seen as I am reading about the programming needed before changing pads and rotors!)

 

[Sojourner]

I was gonna reply and say that this happens at least once per month on all four of my recent Fords. Usually fixed by pressing the lock then unlock buttons on the fob. We're using aftermarket fobs so the smaller battery or them not being OEM might contribute, but regardless, it's a simple fix.

But this is clearly a bigger deal. So I won't reply as my fix doesn't apply.

Anyway, hope it is solved soon!

 

[bbprthead]

I was gonna reply and say that this happens at least once per month on all four of my recent Fords. Usually fixed by pressing the lock then unlock buttons on the fob. We're using aftermarket fobs so the smaller battery or them not being OEM might contribute, but regardless, it's a simple fix.

But this is clearly a bigger deal. So I won't reply as my fix doesn't apply.

Anyway, hope it is solved soon!

Thanks @Sojourner. Yes VERY complicated and the dealer has had it a day and a half and ZERO progress.The head guy at the dealer worked on it all day yesterday and no progress. I sent them Ducati’s post and I assume they have checked all the anti-theft antennae’s and hopefully module but no idea. Today is day 3, so hopefully third time’s the charm, but who really knows. If not, I’m starting to wonder how long I’ll have to go without it.

 

[Sojourner]

Today is day 3, so hopefully third time’s the charm....

 

[bbprthead]

Possibly an issue with the BCM

@Ducati1098 - well the dealership has no clue of the issue, and said they contacted Ford and they think it could be the BCM. Their thought now is that the aftermarket amps, sub, and 2-front speakers could’ve messed up the BCM.

This baffles me as none of that is plugged in to the same place and the amps have fuses on the wires going to the battery so they would blow the fuse before messing up the battery. They are going to put a new one and disconnect all the aftermarket audio equipment and see if that fixes it.

I believe it may be the BCM, and if so; I’m imaging a painful experience afterwards. I imagine dealership blaming installer and installer blaming faulty BCM, and me just getting the end of the stick!!

I’m not gonna have any way to prove it was the installer or it was a faulty BCM, so I’m gonna get stuck holding and paying the bill!!!

 

[Ducati1098]

@Ducati1098 - well the dealership has no clue of the issue, and said they contacted Ford and they think it could be the BCM. Their thought now is that the aftermarket amps, sub, and 2-front speakers could’ve messed up the BCM.

This baffles me as none of that is plugged in to the same place and the amps have fuses on the wires going to the battery so they would blow the fuse before messing up the battery. They are going to put a new one and disconnect all the aftermarket audio equipment and see if that fixes it.

I believe it may be the BCM, and if so; I’m imaging a painful experience afterwards. I imagine dealership blaming installer and installer blaming faulty BCM, and me just getting the end of the stick!!

I’m not gonna have any way to prove it was the installer or it was a faulty BCM, so I’m gonna get stuck holding and paying the bill!!!

Sorry to hear that. I don’t see it having anything to do with the aftermarket audio, but unfortunately what I think doesn’t make a difference.

 

[bbprthead]

Sorry to hear that. I don’t see it having anything to do with the aftermarket audio, but unfortunately what I think doesn’t make a difference.

Yea my thought as well and the Service Mgr even agreed when I said that. I said “how do we know that the BCM, assuming that’s what it is, just didn’t go bad? Parts do break”. He said “well we don’t.”

obviously not discussing cost yet as they don’t know if this will fix it, but I’m guessing it will then the fight will be on. Good times……

 

[Brian_B]

All that audio stuff is on a completely different module from the BCM. I mean, they may as well be blaming it on aftermarket fog lights or plugging a phone into a power point…

I mean, if the dealer can point to where the subwoofer connects to the BCM - maybe… but I’m pretty sure the only common points there are going to be a 12V battery and a ground unless you did some kind of very unusual installation…

 

[Ducati1098]

Yea my thought as well and the Service Mgr even agreed when I said that. I said “how do we know that the BCM, assuming that’s what it is, just didn’t go bad? Parts do break”. He said “well we don’t.”

obviously not discussing cost yet as they don’t know if this will fix it, but I’m guessing it will then the fight will be on. Good times……

I mean if they can’t prove it was caused by the aftermarket audio, then it should still be a warrantable repair in my opinion (as long as the BCM is still covered for your Bronco depending on year/mileage)

 

[5GENIDN]

I think that is why they are going to unplug the audio... put the new BCM in and say see... It works fine without the audio... must be the stereo.

 

[adam1991]

I think that is why they are going to unplug the audio... put the new BCM in and say see... It works fine without the audio... must be the stereo.

They have to start somewhere. And that's a reasonable place to start.

Actually, just unplug the audio stuff and see if it works now.

So if it works without the audio stuff and then you plug in the audio stuff and it stops working....what would you say then?

I've seen some really, really, really weird stuff in my professional, very technical life.

 

[Brian_B]

So if it works without the audio stuff and then you plug in the audio stuff and it stops working....what would you say then?

I would say “I’ll be damned” and move on - I mean it wouldn’t be the first time in my life I was wrong and learned something from it.

 

[5GENIDN]

They have to start somewhere. And that's a reasonable place to start.

Actually, just unplug the audio stuff and see if it works now.

So if it works without the audio stuff and then you plug in the audio stuff and it stops working....what would you say then?

I've seen some really, really, really weird stuff in my professional, very technical life.

I understand what you are saying.... Do you understand what I am saying?

I am pretty good with my electrical. I have taken everyone of the aux switches and have them switching a secondary 40 amp relay in their own relay box because now I have access to them all without disassembling the fuse box to get to the primary relay... AND they are all 40 amp but I can fuse each one based on the load I am placing on it. I also do not trust that tiny wimpy wiring that Ford t\pre-ran and run my own lines to each accessory. I have also redone my stereo.... I spliced in for the feed behind the head unit and am running it all through my own DSP.... Mine is all running well. So I do have a clue.

 

[adam1991]

I understand what you are saying.... Do you understand what I am saying?

I am pretty good with my electrical. I have taken everyone of the aux switches and have them switching a secondary 40 amp relay in their own relay box because now I have access to them all without disassembling the fuse box to get to the primary relay... AND they are all 40 amp but I can fuse each one based on the load I am placing on it. I also do not trust that tiny wimpy wiring that Ford t\pre-ran and run my own lines to each accessory. I have also redone my stereo.... I spliced in for the feed behind the head unit and am running it all through my own DSP.... Mine is all running well. So I do have a clue.

ok.

But I never said you don't have a clue. I just commented on half splitting the problem from the start, instead of assuming anything.

I understand techs like the dealership guys. I know their frame of mind.

Sponsored