Ford remote access iPhone app - lock / unlock stopped working. | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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Ford remote access iPhone app - lock / unlock stopped working.

gday

Member
Joined
June 27, 2015
Messages
46
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City, State
Loomis, California
Year, Model & Trim Level
2013 Explorer Sport +402A
Callsign
VK2XOC
So for over a year I've been using the Ford remote access iPhone app to open, close, start and alarm my 2013 Explorer Sport - no issues. In the past few days the lock and unlock functions have stopped working - sort of. At this time the Remote Start and Find from the app still work fine. What I see is:

1) Both lock and unlock appear to work from the app (icons flash green in app indicating success) and flash the car lights. Physical locks don't move.
2) If car is unlocked, pressing lock twice chirps the horn. Physical locks don't move.
3) After pressing lock (even if car doesn't physically lock) alarm is armed and alerts as appropriate.

Bottom line is that at no time do the actual locks move when using the app. The key fob lock / unlock works fine and so do the buttons inside the car. Any clues as to what might have died?

-mick
 



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Fuses?
 






The RMU plugs into the VSS which taps into the OBDII harness and I see no fuses in that chain. The only fuse I see that's relevant is for the locks in general.

Been thinking hard and the only thing that maybe relevant is a battery change. But I'm pretty convinced things were fine immediately after that.

-mick
 






Right, I have the same kit. The kit is clearly fine, it's the lock control that's the problem. I sense the command is going out but the lock solenoids are not responding.

It sounds like there is an electrical failure in the locks. Hence the fuses for the door locks. If memory serves (I don't have the manual handy) there should be a fuse or two in the BCM that is probably worth checking before going further. Also, make sure your harness where the VSS plugs in behind the OBD-II is tight. Mine wasn't from my own negligence and I had some oddball electrical issues until I realized my error.
 






Note that the locks operate fine using the key fob or buttons in the car.... The only thing I've done last night was re-seat the two connectors going into the VSS along with the OBDII connection - no change. I only found one fuse (labelled locks) in the BCM and its fine. I'm thinking of doing a master reset via the info screen (left of speedo)..... I wish I had a pinout of the VSS to OBDII connector... have been looking but have found nothing.

-mick
 






So last night I'm playing around with things and presto, the remote app starts locking and unlocking my car. At the time, no idea what I did to make things work. So this morning I decided to disconnect the battery again (since that's the only thing I could think off that started this sequence) and sure enough, after leaving the battery disconnected for a few minutes and reconnecting, I was back in the same situation. So to cut a long story short, it appears that the VSS module gets out of sync with the lock state after the battery is disconnected and the way to get it back in sync is to cycle the locks via the physical door lock/unlock buttons. Cycling the locks via the fob (which is what I did 99% of the time) doesn't help. Have repeated this sequence twice. No idea if this is normal or if something is wrong with my setup.

-mick

PS One more thing I started to notice is that when the VSS is in this weird state, the unlock light flashing is very different - like its trying to indicate a fault.
 






Interesting theory, I've yet to hear of any other VSS getting out of sync--hopefully the whole module isn't on the way out.
 






Recently I have been seeing error messages when I'm using the Remote Start App.

Error Message reads.

"The command could not be confirmed at this time.Please try again later.(00011000)"

The odd thing is I will watch the command actually get confirmed by the lights flashing on the vehicle. It starts locks, unlocks, locates, but keeps sending back this message.

Anyone else seeing this?
 






I see this periodically when I'm in a marginal cell or wifi area.

-mick
 






If you set off the alarm, do you get the warning text from the system?
 


















I do just wish I had ore status details available for my truck.. Battery, locked / unlocked, Lights off or on, and maybe inside temp.
and GPS location.. love the access just wish it had a status screen that could be updated as wanted
 






I still get nothing because I'm running iOS11 and the App is dead. Since iOS11 will be released in a week or so I hope Spindance releases an updated version.
 






I still get nothing because I'm running iOS11 and the App is dead. Since iOS11 will be released in a week or so I hope Spindance releases an updated version.

I'm running iOS 10.3.3 on my iPhone and the App will not open. Is Ford sending owners a message that they are no longer going support this App and MFT SYNC 2 (upgrades)?
 






I'm running iOS 10.3.3 on my iPhone and the App will not open. Is Ford sending owners a message that they are no longer going support this App and MFT SYNC 2 (upgrades)?

Such a professional communication strategy for their loyal customers, NOT!

The IVT Team is lost and needs new leadership, SYNC3 has so much potential to lead the market.

Even the arrogant, indignant, and pompous Apple Team tells you in advance when their next software is EOL or won't work on certain devices.

Now excuse me I have to drink some more Apple Kool-Aid, my iPhone just reminded me it's time for another glass.
 






I just sent them an email myself, not that it'll change anything.

I figure a representative exchange will be as follows:

"We don't develop to beta software."
"OK, well, it's out now as released, so try again?"
 






Such a professional communication strategy for their loyal customers, NOT!

The IVT Team is lost and needs new leadership, SYNC3 has so much potential to lead the market.

Even the arrogant, indignant, and pompous Apple Team tells you in advance when their next software is EOL or won't work on certain devices.

Now excuse me I have to drink some more Apple Kool-Aid, my iPhone just reminded me it's time for another glass.
Has there been ANY communication out of Ford regarding the remote start interface?

I couldn't find any.
 









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Well isn't tomorrow the iOS 11 release? Still no update to the remote access app that i have seen...?
 






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