Key fob or car electric system?

[multigraincracker]

Spent an hour or so at the Rec Center. Came out and fob wouldn’t unlock to door or deck lid. Kept pushing the button and nothing. Went back in the building to warm up for about 5 minutes and found deck open and doors unlocked. 2012 Focus.
Think I replaced fob battery a couple of years ago and car battery last year.
31 degrees out.
May never happen again. For now wait and see.

[FSogol]

1. There is a battery in the fob, replace it. n/t

[multigraincracker]

2. Think ill switch it with the spare and see if it happens again.

The fob did work with a 5 minute delay.

[viva la]

3. Just yesterday I had to replace TWO key fobs.

One hasn't worked for awhile, and the other broke (the circuit board) when I dropped it.
$350.
I guess I seldom have to buy new tires because they last so well now. But these keys cost like 2 tires.

[Wifes husband]

4. Key fob

You can get them on Amazon

[viva la]

5. They had to be programmed for my car. That's where the $300 comes in. It took the tech about 30 minutes.

All this high-tech stuff. There are all these theft controls that have to be synced to the fob, I guess.

I did look into a kit that let you program it yourself, but the first step was 'insert key fob into key programming slot under the steering wheel," and there was no slot. Frustrating! I guess the idea is just what happened with me-- I got so frustrated after that, I willingly called a locksmith and paid weekend prices.

Oh, well, I just won't buy any more Xmas gifts!

[3Hotdogs]

6. Post the question on YouTube.

you might find the solution there.

[viva la]

11. There was a really good video that explained how to program.

But without that slot (which I'm sure is somewhere in the car, but the manual wouldn't say), nothing worked.
Too late now anyway.
I was going to get a new car, but now I've got these shiny new keys, maybe I'll wait a few months.

[3Hotdogs]

13. New car .... economically, always a bad idea.

But if you are really set on one, do it before the idiot's tariff's are set.

[viva la]

14. I usually get a used one. "Gently used."

I'll probably look for a 2023 or 2024.
You know what they say-- "The new car depreciates 10% the moment you drive off the lot."

[FSogol]

7. $350 is too much. Avoid the dealer. Go to a local locksmith and they can copy the fob progamming onto a genric version

for about $80.

[Auggie]

10. Yep. I had that done for my VW.

[viva la]

12. It was on a Sunday, and they came to my house. (Good, because I couldn't start my car!)

So I'm sure it was double for the weekend.
I'm remembering the first key fob I got-- there was still a key ignition start also. That would be useful.
Then again, I'm still longing for a return to DIALS for volume control.

[2naSalit]

16. Not always the answer...

Not for my BMW. It's got a fob that nobody can work on, I have not been able to use my car since September because the keys won't function. BMW has a 1000+ person waiting list waiting for "back order" keys while they sit on your $350.

I have been arguing this for months now and getting ready to recruit for a class action lawsuit over it. I liked this car until this crap. I'm ready to take it to BMW headquarters and set it on fire on their front door step.

There is no locksmith in my state who can work this problem for me. Only BMW can fix this, they've had 20 years, but NOOOOO.

I will be going to their corporate web site and fill out at least one complaint form a day telling them how much they suck and how they are disrupting my life. It's either that or get a tow trailer and take a little drive to corporate HQ. There are over 700 people in front of me and over 300 after me on that waiting list.

[FSogol]

17. That's awful. Does your area have a consumer protection agency?

My local one has almost always been able to help with screwed up corporate headaches.

[2naSalit]

18. In Montana...

When it comes to we the little people (not millionaires) there is nothing to protect us from anybody for anything. I did file a complaint with the national consumer protection agency, they confirmed with an email.

I'm wondering if I could start a class action suit since I'm only one of about 1200 other owners waiting for "back ordered " keys. And that they charge $350 for them is criminal. I get that other car maker do this but you can get after market keys from elsewhere, even programmed types.

Other than this issue it's a nice car and I've enjoyed driving it for the last several years. And my friend would buy it if the keys worked.

There were some other suggestions made on my original thread about this last Friday having to do with looking for some button in the console and maybe something about holding the key somewhere near the console and holding down the buttons or something. I'm horribly frustrated right now. But it has now become winter so I'll pick a time when it's kinda warm out and go f around with it... not into it, though.

[doc03]

8. I had 2015 Ford Fusion I read there was secret code in them that was not in the

car manual, it would roll down all the windows and open the moon roof. I tried it and it worked, maybe you accidently
hit that code while messing with buttons.

[multigraincracker]

9. Talked to an old friend that taught

Auto Mechanics at a JC. He said buy a Toyota or Honda.