2017 Ford Explorer in Shut Down Mode

[Brit Rae Basham]

Please don't call me an idiot! I just purchased a used 2017 Ford Explorer Sport a couple weeks ago. Just last week it was stolen. Thankfully it was recovered quickly with minimal damage. The thieves have all my keys. Again, please don't call me an idiot! I'm beating myself up enough. My truck has been at a Ford dealer for over a week now. They reprogrammed two new fobs but said that they were going to have to pull the computer out of the truck and reprogram the push start to the new fobs. I called this morning and they said they can't get the push button to start the engine and that a Ford Engineer has to come out and look at it. Am I the only person that this has ever happened to? Or just the only idiot?

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum.
To prevent the OEM key fobs from being used the Explorer must have the codes erased and replaced with new ones. This would include the ignition and door locks. I'm not that familiar with the process but if the dealer programmed your new fobs to the vehicle before the new codes were entered into the Explorer then the key fobs will have to be reprogrammed to the new code. The keys communicate with the cars transceiver so both codes need to be identical. Also, don't forget that the IA (Intelligent Access) fobs have a key blade inside that can be used to open the door locks and the glove box. You also don't know if the thieves were able to get you Securicode number. Is your insurance company picking up any of the costs involved here? Good luck.
BTW, you are not the first to have had this happen. I'll see if I can find the other post(s).
FYI; Transponder Key Programming Services – Program Transponder Key Locksmith Services

Pete

 

[Brit Rae Basham]

Hi Pete.
Thank you SO much for your reply. So it appears that the local Ford dealer programmed the fobs, then tried to reprogram the receiver. Seems backwards to me. I asked them why they couldn't just reprogram the new fobs to the original receiver, then once they confirm that they work; then reprogram the receiver and then the fobs. I know I'm making this more confusing to understand but I obviously am the stupid one that left my keys in the car, so I really have no room to talk about common sense.
Geico is covering the new fobs, but not the key blade. I'm going to have to pay out of my pocket to have the cylinder replaced and then have a new blade cut. Looking at about $500 for that part.

 

[KayGee]

Stuff happens. What continues to amaze me is that there are techs that don't know how to handle this stuff. It's not like yours was the first vehicle ever stolen or had the keys lost and needed to be fully re-keyed.

If it were me, I would probably find another dealer for future work and certainly be looking for another insurance company if they aren't willing to fully and properly pay out on a claim (for theft recovery that typically means full re-keying of vehicle). If they don't cover full re-keying, there is a risk that the vehicle could be stolen again.

 

[Brit Rae Basham]

Geico told me point blank that they would not cover re-keying the hard key because the cylinder was NOT damaged. I also don't understand why this dealer can't get this programmed. I'm having to wait for Ford Corporate to call them back, then figure out if they can assist, then I will get some answers. Geico is going to cut off my rental car this weekend.

UPDATE: Just got off the phone with my local Ford dealer. They said that the technician can't start the truck because the "alarm" keeps kicking them out.

 

[Mlarv5]

If GEICO tells you no more rental then have Ford pick it up. If they can not do a simple job such as deleting old keys then adding new ones they should pick up the tab of the rental.

As for redoing the hard keys. Did they catch the thieves? If so get your old fobs back. If not check with a local lock smith and see what it would cost for them to do it over the dealer doing it.

 

[Brit Rae Basham]

No, they did not catch the thieves. I'm actually going to get a new cylinder for the drivers door. That way if the thieves ever decide to come back, they can't use the hard key or fob at all. I just spoke to Ford again and they said that they are able to get power, but the "anti-theft security system" won't allow them to start the engine. The exact words were... "The vehicle will not allow us to even use the IDS (computer)."

 

[thefranchise713]

Sorry to hear your Explorer got stolen, friend.

In the workshop manual there is a special procedure to access the PATS system if the alarm locks them out--tell them to see section 419-01C of the service manual. They don't need an engineer. I'm not going to post it here to help the bad guys (although there is more to it than this) but it's available.

 

[peterk9]

If the dealer didn't change anything and just programmed the new fobs to the original codes, I don't see why there should be any reason why they can't hook up their IDS.

Peter

 

[Brit Rae Basham]

Sorry to hear your Explorer got stolen, friend.

In the workshop manual there is a special procedure to access the PATS system if the alarm locks them out--tell them to see section 419-01C of the service manual. They don't need an engineer. I'm not going to post it here to help the bad guys (although there is more to it than this) but it's available.

And this is Fords (Service Manager) response back to me. “Yes ma'am we have tried all that but can't get into the any modules. After we can get get into the system, yes the PATS System is where you program the keys. As long as we cant get the vehicle to start. We have nothing. Once it starts, then we are good to go. “

I’m willing to share my personal email address if someone can help me help Ford. This seems pretty ridiculous to me.

 

[thefranchise713]

If I thought for a moment that sending the procedure might help, I would have; but sending you in with a workshop manual page to rub in their faces will only end in a, "lady, look, we already did that."

That said I'm not in their shoes and do not want to substitute my amateur hour for their training, experience, and in person attempts. I hope they tried a couple of times becauase when I looked up the procedure, it looked quite tedious to trigger.

 

[Brit Rae Basham]

Right, I understand. I have been getting a lot of "we tried that already". I called this morning and they mentioned they were getting a lot of "u-codes". Not sure exactly what that is. They also put a new battery in it and I'm not exactly sure why that is either.

 

[peterk9]

Right, I understand. I have been getting a lot of "we tried that already". I called this morning and they mentioned they were getting a lot of "u-codes". Not sure exactly what that is. They also put a new battery in it and I'm not exactly sure why that is either.

According to this article, u codes seem to have a lot to do with voltage. U Codes – TroubleCodes.net

Peter

 

[Brit Rae Basham]

Thanks so much Peter. I'm guessing this is one of the reasons why they tried a new battery. I spoke to someone at Ford Corporate a little while ago and they said it should not be taking this long and have escalated the issue and gave me a case number. I'm trying not to be a pessimist, but I have a feeling I was just told that to hold me over again.

 

[KayGee]

Only the first group of U-codes are related to voltage issues or shorts - all of the rest are related to communication issues or invalid data. If modules were replaced and/or not programmed correctly, it seems probable that they aren't going to be able to properly communicate with other modules and/or may be providing (or perceived to be providing) invalid data to the other modules. Without the specific codes though it's all just speculation...

I'm not sure I understand the specifics of what the dealer has actually done/replaced, but it may be in your best interest to just ask the dealer to revert any changes they made and just add the new fobs and delete the old fobs (don't cut them) so you can get your vehicle back. Then (as someone else already mentioned) go to a capable local locksmith and pay out of pocket to have them change over any lock cylinders you have (door, glove box, hatch) and cut the keys to match. I realize it's not the best option, but it's probably the quickest and should be less expensive than the dealer.

The dealer probably had to put in a new battery because they killed it doing all the stuff they were doing - probably forget to hook it up to a charger to keep from draining it completely. Hope they don't charge you for that if the insurance company won't cover it.

 

[Brit Rae Basham]

According to Ford, they programmed two new fobs. Doing that allowed them to get in the vehicle. From there they were able to push the start button once to get all the lights, etc to come on. But when they pushed the start button again, it does nothing.

She called again to tell me that they can't get the IDS computer to communicate with the vehicle. I will call them back and ask if they can revert any changes and go back to default. I have this feeling she is going to tell me that in order to do that they have to be able to get into the LDS computer.

 

[Brit Rae Basham]

UPDATE: My husband called over to them and told them to look for the code for the keypad on the door and to try that. Oddly enough I get a call from the dealer that says they were able to start the truck. I asked how. She said that Ford Corporate had not sent them ALL the necessary codes until just now. And as a result they were able to reset all the modules. Hmm? At this point I'm not arguing over anything. I'm just thrilled I get to pick up my truck and get it into the body shop. I want to put this nightmare behind me.

 

[thefranchise713]

Congrats on the fix.

U-Codes are communication codes. They'll pop up when the modules are unable to communicate across the various data buses lining the vehicle. It's possible that the car was having electrical issues due to low voltage at the battery, so throwing a new battery at it was the sledgehammer solution to just recharging the battery that probably wasn't actually bad.

Either way, the car runs, congrats, and may it stay in your driveway this time!

 

[Brit Rae Basham]

Update: Thank you all so much for all your help. I just got my car back yesterday... FINALLY! It's repaired and running and I couldn't be happier. Well except for the day I actually purchased it. I have learned a very valuable lesson and I won't repeat it!!!

As for the criminals... they caught them. Or at least four of them. And one of them had a bunch of car keys. When the Detective working my case tried the two Ford hard keys that were on the ring, they both opened my truck. YES!!!!