Keyless entry panel blinks constantly

[explorernoles]

So tonight I was taking out the trash and noticed that the keyless entry light pad was blinking red every 7 seconds or so. I didn't touch the car or go near it. I unlocked it with my keys and started the ignition for 30 seconds. Turned the car off, got out and locked and didn't stop it. I put in my key code on the pad to unlock the car, opened the door, shut it and locked again. Still blinking. Any ideas?

 

[peterk9]

Congratulations, you've found a new problem. Does the pad still blink when the engine is running? You could try a negative battery cable disconnect and let it sit that way for a while before reconnecting. Be aware that you will lose some of your settings and nav favourites. As well the tranny will have to relearn its shift points. I think, however, that a dealer visit is in order. You could try pulling the fuse and reinserting it to see if that helps. Fuse 18 in the cabin fuse box is for "Keypad illumination" and various other items.

Peter

 

[Lisa Brooks]

Hi all! Last Sunday, my battery died. It was still under warranty, so I was able to get a new one. Friday night, a neighbor drove by my house and called to tell me that they keypad on my door was blinking. I tried to get it to turn off (got in, started the car, pressed buttons, etc) and it continued to blink. It drove fine all day on Saturday. I went to run an errand late today (Sunday - exactly one week from brand new battery), and it's dead again. Whatever is causing the blinking door panel is draining my battery. Does anyone have any idea why the key panel is blinking or how do I fix it or trouble shoot?

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Lisa.
Have you tried swiping your finger over the keypad or pushing the keys? If that doesn't work then I think you may have to replace it. If you don't use it, you can pull fuse #21 in the cabin fuse box and that should stop it from blinking. That should save the battery and then you can leave it or take it to the dealer to have it checked out. You could also try disconnecting the negative battery cable for a few minutes before reconnecting. You will probably lose some saved memory settings doing that.

Peter

 

[Lisa Brooks]

Welcome to the Forum Lisa.
Have you tried swiping your finger over the keypad or pushing the keys? If that doesn't work then I think you may have to replace it. If you don't use it, you can pull fuse #21 in the cabin fuse box and that should stop it from blinking. That should save the battery and then you can leave it or take it to the dealer to have it checked out. You could also try disconnecting the negative battery cable for a few minutes before reconnecting. You will probably lose some saved memory settings doing that.

Peter

Thanks so much. I’ve only used the keypad a handful of times in almost 6 years, so it doesn’t make much difference to me. I may try to pull the fuse as a temporary fix. I have 10k miles left on my extended warranty, so I’ll need to get it in to the dealer this week.

 

[sheltonfilms]

Fuse 21 is for the power to the keypad microprocessor, fuse 18 powers the illumination but feeds other critical circuits. Pulling fuse 21 may work because the processor sends the signal back to the BCM to turn on the illumination. If pulling fuse 21 stops the issue then it means there is probably an issue with the keypad itself. If it continues to blink then it is possible the illumination wire has been shorted to another wire.

Pull 21 and see what happens.

Is the blinking constant or is it more of flickering (no real pattern to the on off)?

 

[Lisa Brooks]

The blinking was all numbers on the keypad all at once. Only up close Could I notice some slight flickering (indicating more of an electrical short). Thankfully, I’m within my extended warranty, so if it’s beyond a simple fix, I should be covered.

 

[thefranchise713]

If the numbers were blinking, that sounds like the anti-scan feature kicking in. (Defeating brute force attempts = too many wrong inputs.)

Good money on bad keypad--not unheard of in the least.

 

[Colleen K]

Hi all! Last Sunday, my battery died. It was still under warranty, so I was able to get a new one. Friday night, a neighbor drove by my house and called to tell me that they keypad on my door was blinking. I tried to get it to turn off (got in, started the car, pressed buttons, etc) and it continued to blink. It drove fine all day on Saturday. I went to run an errand late today (Sunday - exactly one week from brand new battery), and it's dead again. Whatever is causing the blinking door panel is draining my battery. Does anyone have any idea why the key panel is blinking or how do I fix it or trouble shoot?

Hi Lisa, mine is doing the same. did you ever find a fix?

 

[peterk9]

Hi Lisa, mine is doing the same. did you ever find a fix?

Welcome to the Forum Colleen.

Peter

 

[J Toledo]

Mine just started doing this last night. This morning the battery was dead.. replaced it and it still blinks.. what gives?

 

[peterk9]

Mine just started doing this last night. This morning the battery was dead.. replaced it and it still blinks.. what gives?

Welcome to the Forum.
Unfortunately, as happens all too often, members post about an issue but neglect to follow up with any repairs/solutions.

Peter

 

[elbows]

After about 10 consecutive days of rain here in Chicago, my Keyless Entry panel started looking a lot like the dance floor of an 80's disco. It has finally stopped blinking and also stopped working. The numbers light up when touched but no response as for locking or unlocking. I believe my next step is to replace the panel. I am searching for a new part now I will post an update when it's done.
2019 Explorer Limited
Frank

 

[peterk9]

After about 10 consecutive days of rain here in Chicago, my Keyless Entry panel started looking a lot like the dance floor of an 80's disco. It has finally stopped blinking and also stopped working. The numbers light up when touched but no response as for locking or unlocking. I believe my next step is to replace the panel. I am searching for a new part now I will post an update when it's done.
2019 Explorer Limited
Frank

Welcome to the Forum Frank.
Since it lights up it probably is the fuse but maybe you should check it just in case. Are you out of factory warranty?

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2011-2019 Ford Molding - Door Outside DB5Z-7820555-AC | OEM Parts

Genuine 2011-2019 Ford OEM part # DB5Z-7820555-AC - Molding - Door Outside at OEM Part Source

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2011-2019 Ford part # DB5Z-7820555-AC - Applique - Driver's Side (LH)

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Peter

 

[elbows]

Welcome to the Forum Frank.
Since it lights up it probably is the fuse but maybe you should check it just in case. Are you out of factory warranty?

2011-2019 Ford Applique DB5Z-7820555-AC | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake

2011-2019 Ford part # DB5Z-7820555-AC - Applique

parts.autonationfordwhitebearlake.com

2011-2019 Ford Molding - Door Outside DB5Z-7820555-AC | OEM Parts

Genuine 2011-2019 Ford OEM part # DB5Z-7820555-AC - Molding - Door Outside at OEM Part Source

www.oempartsource.com

2011-2019 Ford Applique - Driver's Side (LH) DB5Z-7820555-AC | TascaParts.com

2011-2019 Ford part # DB5Z-7820555-AC - Applique - Driver's Side (LH)

www.tascaparts.com

Peter

Yes out of warranty, I had the car parked facing north yesterday afternoon and with the sun shining right on the panel I could actually see condensation inside of it. Also the sun must have dried it out a bit because when I got to work this morning it was working like normal. Yes I will still be replacing it.
I found the part at Village Ford parts in MI for 178.29
Frank

 

[peterk9]

Have you checked to see if there is a leak somewhere around the molding? That would be the only way water could get in there to cause condensation. If you can find that spot, perhaps just sealing it would work.

Peter

 

[elbows]

After about 10 consecutive days of rain here in Chicago, my Keyless Entry panel started looking a lot like the dance floor of an 80's disco. It has finally stopped blinking and also stopped working. The numbers light up when touched but no response as for locking or unlocking. I believe my next step is to replace the panel. I am searching for a new part now I will post an update when it's done.
2019 Explorer Limited
Frank

Yes out of warranty, I had the car parked facing north yesterday afternoon and with the sun shining right on the panel I could actually see condensation inside of it. Also the sun must have dried it out a bit because when I got to work this morning it was working like normal. Yes I will still be replacing it.
I found the part at Village Ford parts in MI for 178.29
Frank

After about 10 consecutive days of rain here in Chicago, my Keyless Entry panel started looking a lot like the dance floor of an 80's disco. It has finally stopped blinking and also stopped working. The numbers light up when touched but no response as for locking or unlocking. I believe my next step is to replace the panel. I am searching for a new part now I will post an update when it's done.
2019 Explorer Limited
Frank

Yes it was defiantly water in the keypad. Here are some pictures of the keypad before and apart.Keypad