Tips and Hints for Ford Car Key & Ford remote key Owners
Ford Car & Remote key Not Working
welcome to our blog post aimed at helping ford car key and ford remote key owners rectify simple problems. 
When a customer calls us with a ford key problem , we ask a number of questions which sometimes annoys the caller.
Asking these questions is an attempt to save you the cost of a locksmith visiting you if not a problem with your key or if a simple diy solution.
So in a bid to save you an unecessary locksmith visit we will highlight some of the common issues here.
My Ford Car Key Has Stopped Working I Need A New Key
This is often what we are told , but we now need more info as the car key not working could relate to different parts of the key. 
So we try to establish if its the remote not working , the car not starting or the key blade not turning in the locks.
Each points to a different potential issue , some a visit is needed and some its not and is a simple diy fix at home.
So we will explain these in turn below.
My Ford Remote Key Has Stopped Working
The first question would be are all remote buttons not working or is just 1 button not working ?
If just 1 button has stopped working but rest work fine then this normally suggests you do require professional help , it will be 1 of 2 issues.
- you have a broken microswitch button on the circuit board, the fis is a new remote or to have a new button soldered to the board.
- the key case buttons have perished and a new case is required to solve this.
so for this issue , professional assistance is normally required.
If all buttons on the remote have stopped working and none are working at all.
most common is the battery has died and you simply need a new battery , which is a simple diy fix to replace the battery yourself.
when changing the battery , be sure to note which way around the battery you remove is facing. we get called to alot of jobs where battery has been fitted wrong way around.
so checking before removing means you insert the new battery correctly .
If not confident changing the battery yourself then most key cutting shops, shoe repair shops, motorist shops like halfords offer cheap battery changes.
I have changed The Battery in my key and its still not working ?
ok if you have changed the battery in your key and its in the correct way around, then its likely that you need to perform a simple resynch of your remote to the car or van.
This is a simple manual procedure you can do in your car in a minute or 2 . Ford have 3 manual procedures to resynch your remote to the vehicle.
Procedure 1 , used on most cars and small vans up until 2016 and some beyon.d 2016
- sit in the drivers seat , insert the key into the ignition
- turn the ignition on to position 2(when dash lights up) and off again 4 times within 6 seconds. dashboard may chime.
- press any button on each remote you wish to synch to the car , the dash may chime again
- switch the ignition on to position 2 and off once
- remove the key from the ignition and test the remote is working
Procedure 2 used on ford fiesta from 2016
- sit in drivers seat and insert the key into the ignition
- quickly turn the ignition on and off 8 times. dashboard may chime
- press any button on each remote you wish to synch to the car , the dash may chime again
- switch the ignition on and off once
- remove key and test the remote.
3rd procedure used on ford transit 2002 to 2007
- sit in the van with the drivers door shut
- insert the key into the ignition
- turn the ignition on and off quickly 7 times then turn on an 8th time and leave on, the door locks should cycle
- now press any button on each remote you wish to program , locks may cycle again
- switch ignition off and remove the key , the locks may cycle again and test remote.
In most situations this will get you back up and running without needing to pay a professional.
It is common for ford remotes to need a resynch after a flat vehicle battery or a flat key battery.
when this doesnt work then this is the time to call a professional service .
my key turns in the ignition but the car wont start
first check the obvious , does the dash light up? in the case it doesnt then its a power issue.
if dash lights up and you hear clicking , then this points to faulty starter motor.
if dash lights up but goes out when you turn to start this points to a flat vehicle battery.
Ford have a very useful system on alot of there cars that can help you get to the bottom of this.
You have a red pats light or red padlock light that when the car is off flashes every so often, found on the dash cluster or on the clock unit in older vehicles.
when you turn the ignition on to position 2 , this red light does 1 of 3 things;
- it will come on, stay on for a second then go out and stay out , this indicates the key is fine and car is ready to start.
- it will come on , stay on but wont go out , it stays on. this confirms key is fine but there is a system fault and car wont start.
- it will come on, stay on for a second , then flash on and off continuously. this is telling you that the car cannot see the key.
What the red light behaviour tells you
Now with No 2 above , your key is fine , you have an engine issue or an electrical issue that requires a garage or auto electrician not an auto locksmith.
No 3 above , this will not always be the key , most common issues for this scenario is
- the keys transponder has failed and a new key is needed.
- the ariel tranciever ring around the ignition has failed , a garage is needed
- pats system fault , often a garage is needed.
Now that red light helps us further , if you encounter the light flashing continuously , leave the ignition on .
After approx 1 minute the flashing will change from the fast flashing , to a slower flashing which flashes a code at you.
it may flash once then flash 3 times , it will keep repeating this flash code , in this example its flash code 13.
the flash code will determine whether the issue is the key , the tranciever or something else.
knowing this helps you seek the correct services and reducing the risk of paying out for the wrong services.
my car is a keyless start model and doesnt have an ignition lock
the most common reason for a keyless vehicle not to start keyless are;
- low battery in the key
- low voltage vehicle battery
- sensor or ignition button faults
Dont panic , you can still start the car , you will have an emergency start location listed in the handbook.
this will normally be under a cover where an ignition lock would normally be. in center console or in a cup holder.
place the key in the emergency start location and then press the start button as normal.
My Key wont turn in the ignition lock
this is common on Mk8 transit and transit custom vans , but also on some ford fiesta models after 2009.
this is normally 1 of 2 issues;
- the key blade has worn , if the problem is the same in the door lock then this points to a worn blade
- if works fine in the door lock , this points to a failed lock or ignition switch