No Key Detected

[Bog Hog]

I have a 2024 Platinum F350 with 4,500 miles on it. I went to start my truck yesterday evening, and to my surprise, I received an error that states "No Key Detected" on the cluster. I performed the following steps to try and troubleshoot it:

- Tried the second key fob
- Checked the battery voltages. Both over 3V
- Tried to place the key in the special location in the console
- Removed the cup holders and ensured the PATS antenna was plugged in
- Attempted the 8 on/off cycle to re-pair the key fobs.

At this point, I'm not sure what I need to do, and I have an upcoming trip planned for Wednesday.

Any other troubleshooting steps I should take before I get this towed to the dealer?

 

[Lunch Box 🥩🍔]

I have a 2024 Platinum F350 with 4,500 miles on it. I went to start my truck yesterday evening, and to my surprise, I received an error that states "No Key Detected" on the cluster. I performed the following steps to try and troubleshoot it:

- Tried the second key fob
- Checked the battery voltages. Both over 3V
- Tried to place the key in the special location in the console
- Removed the cup holders and ensured the PATS antenna was plugged in
- Attempted the 8 on/off cycle to re-pair the key fobs.

At this point, I'm not sure what I need to do, and I have an upcoming trip planned for Wednesday.

Any other troubleshooting steps I should take before I get this towed to the dealer?

If your truck wasn't so new I would suspect the FOB battery, but doubtful.

 

[NightForceFan]

Might be worth a shot to disconnect your battery for a few mins and reconnect.

 

[DDD]

That happened to me once when filling up with diesel. Didn’t really know what to do other than apologize to the person behind me in line. Ultimately I did what I often do when weird crap happens: I got out, used the FOB to lock the doors and wait for the truck to “go to sleep.” Then opened it with the FOB and it ended up working. I’m also wondering if put the FOB in the magic, secret starting place would work? Anway, that worked for me that one time it happened.

 

[Bog Hog]

Might be worth a shot to disconnect your battery for a few mins and reconnect.

Good idea! Unfortunately, that didn't solve it

 

[Bog Hog]

If your truck wasn't so new I would suspect the FOB battery, but doubtful.

Yeah, and both FOB batteries read new voltage.

 

[Bog Hog]

That happened to me once when filling up with diesel. Didn’t really know what to do other than apologize to the person behind me in line. Ultimately I did what I often do when weird crap happens: I got out, used the FOB to lock the doors and wait for the truck to “go to sleep.” Then opened it with the FOB and it ended up working. I’m also wondering if put the FOB in the magic, secret starting place would work? Anway, that worked for me that one time it happened.

The 23 magic secret starting place is much less refined. Nonetheless I removed the center console to physically place the key on the sensor and no dice.

 

[Bog Hog]

Well. Anyone know how to put these trucks in neutral and unlock the wheel with the key not functioning? Its going to be very hard to get the truck out of the garage otherwise.

 

[Canyon Trekker]

Well. Anyone know how to put these trucks in neutral and unlock the wheel with the key not functioning? Its going to be very hard to get the truck out of the garage otherwise.

I'm not sure if the 24 is the same as the 22 but check this post out from another member.

Parasite Draw

UPDATE #2. Dealership dropped off truck yesterday. I moved it from one side of the driveway to the other. Went out this morning and the battery is dead. I call dealership and they say their main electrical guy is out today and they can take a look at it on Monday. Ford roadside assistance did...

www.fordtremor.com

 

[Ustank2]

My wife's Explorer does this sometimes. On the Explorer it happens when I hit the start button and push the brake at the same time. Brake not all the way down. If I press the brake, then hit the switch its never happens.

It has never done it on my truck. The truck is on a slope driveway. I have tor reach forward to reach the button so the brake is always pressed before I hit the button. It wasn't he battery in the FOB here either.

 

[Kyleh9]

Well. Anyone know how to put these trucks in neutral and unlock the wheel with the key not functioning? It’s going to be very hard to get the truck out of the garage otherwise.

Bog Hog, unfortunately it appears that your BCM is out. I had your same issue on my ‘23 and that’s what it was. A tow shop should be able to put the wheels in a dolly and roll it out.

 

[Blade420Play]

Not sure if it would help but, can you remote start with the pass app?

 

[Vermonster]

only time I had this happen was when I forgot to reconnect the harness after removing and reinstalling the center console for the HAM install. I believe there were three harnesses, and I missed the one. Hooked it back up and was fine. If you didn’t do any work it sounds like something failed or was cooked.

 

[Bog Hog]

Well, the truck has been at the dealer since 8/9 with this issue. So far they've: replaced the BCM, replaced the BCM a second time, replaced the BCM a third time, performed a copis case to make sure the BCM is correct, had Ford engineers rewrite the programming for every other vehicle module to accept the new BCM, and now they are having difficulty with the Headlamp module.

The truck has been in the shop for 5 weeks for this issue, and 2 weeks for a previous issue. Anyone have any luck with buybacks or recompense for downtime? Naturally, the dealer doesn't have a loaner available.

 

[Lunch Box 🥩🍔]

Well, the truck has been at the dealer since 8/9 with this issue. So far they've: replaced the BCM, replaced the BCM a second time, replaced the BCM a third time, performed a copis case to make sure the BCM is correct, had Ford engineers rewrite the programming for every other vehicle module to accept the new BCM, and now they are having difficulty with the Headlamp module.

The truck has been in the shop for 5 weeks for this issue, and 2 weeks for a previous issue. Anyone have any luck with buybacks or recompense for downtime? Naturally, the dealer doesn't have a loaner available.

Obviously 3 BCM'S were not bad. Fishing expedition.

 

[Canyon Trekker]

Well, the truck has been at the dealer since 8/9 with this issue. So far they've: replaced the BCM, replaced the BCM a second time, replaced the BCM a third time, performed a copis case to make sure the BCM is correct, had Ford engineers rewrite the programming for every other vehicle module to accept the new BCM, and now they are having difficulty with the Headlamp module.

The truck has been in the shop for 5 weeks for this issue, and 2 weeks for a previous issue. Anyone have any luck with buybacks or recompense for downtime? Naturally, the dealer doesn't have a loaner available.

To me, this is not an indicator of a "lemon", it's clearly an indicator of incompetence at the service center. Replacing the same module three times is an indication that they don't know what to look for and are guessing. As a (former, now retired) trainer on fundamental electronic troubleshooting, I can assure you, they are not following the logical path of isolating the problem, they are following a "troubleshooting" guide and going in circles. The truck needs to be put into the hands of a competent technician, who would find this issue in a matter of hours, guaranteed.

It irks me when I see people make attempts at troubleshooting and then make excuses for not understanding the problem to begin with. They literally have all of the tools they need at the service center to troubleshoot. Subsequent failures after an initial failure are generally something that was caused by the troubleshooter in the process, or a secondary problem that was the root cause all along, not the BCM.

I hope they can figure it out with a high confidence level, I hate to see you have to go through the buy-back procedure because of a simple problem. (And yes, this is a simple problem.)

 

[Vermonster]

Stinks to read. Watch it be a ground. I hope they find out quicker than it’s been going.

 

[Bog Hog]

Small update: My dealer has been able to identify the software engineer in charge of rewriting the programming for the truck. So far, both the Engineer and Ford has been unresponsive on a fix.

I opened up a buy back case two weeks ago, and have followed up three times. The buyback team has also been unresponsive.

At what point do you guys consider going to an attorney to get some traction?

 

[Vermonster]

This is crazy. Have you called Ford Customer Service, or are you just following up with the dealer? I am afraid you may be getting a line from the dealer as you may not be the most important thing to them. Not saying that's the case - but I would want to become extremely important to them.

 

[Bog Hog]

@ Vermonster. I've been on two parallel paths here. One with the dealer, and then one with Ford Customer Service via their chat based system.

So far, I've contacted Ford Customer Service three times:

1. Created a buyback case based on the initial problems
2. Followed up 5 business days later. I was told that the initial case was lost in the system, but they we're able to find it and resubmit it.
3. Followed up 5 business days later again (9/26). I was told that the case hadn't been looked at it and would be escalated to a supervisor within one business day. They haven't reached out.

and I agree, this is crazy.