It is challenging for many people to fix the No Key Detected message in their Ford. These trucks are heavy-duty automobiles that are used for towing purposes. Many people complain that their truck won’t start when they press the button of the key fob to start the engine.
Why is My Ford Saying No Key Detected? According to our experience, Ford says “No Key Detected” because of the broken lock, corrosive key, and damaged key. In addition, you can face this issue due to problems with the key fob, including a weak or dead battery and internal damage to its circuits. Your truck will not detect the signals from the key fob due to the presence of metal materials, radars, different aftermarket accessories, and mobile phones. Moreover, faulty immobilizer systems, programming errors, cold weather, and far distance also cause this problem.
You do not need to worry when you see the screen’s no key detected signal. However, it is also necessary to add the new key fob in your programming system for the appropriate detection of signals.
Broken lock
Sometimes my Ford truck indicates the sign of No Key Detected on my cluster screen, which worries me.
The issue comes from a broken lock which can cause inappropriate adjustment of the key in the lock. The lock breaks down when you insert the wrong keys into them.
Moreover, many people love to use different stylish and modern keychains for their vehicles. These are heavy and can disturb the opening of the lock system.
In addition, it can also cause internal wear and tear to the lock system and its parts. The presence of dust and dirt also jams this space, and you cannot insert the key properly.
You can see this sign when keys are not correctly added due to jammed and damaged locks. As a result, you have to replace them for their efficient working.
Replace the damaged lock system with a new one for its better functioning.
Faulty key
The faulty key also causes problems when you want to start the engine.
Sometimes it breaks from its sides, and when you put them in your vehicle, the engine will not start because it can not detect the key.
Moreover, the rust also comes on this metal part which can cause an issue in their appropriate insertion. The rust comes on the surface due to improper cleaning and placing in wet places.
Avid to put them on tables or places where moisture or humidity is more. In addition, it is also necessary to clean them with baking soda and vinegar to remove rust and corrosion from their surface.
Use new ones to replace the broken and old ones for efficient starting of the engine.
Weak batteries of the key fob
Keyless entries mean trucks have key fobs to start or stop functioning. It is a small remote-like device that turns the engine on and off.
It has several buttons that perform start and stop functions. The vehicle cannot detect the signals from these devices when their battery is low.
This accessory uses the battery to provide the electric current or power supply. The battery becomes weak due to frequent use and when you do not change them for a longer time.
Sometimes the batteries also become completely dead when you do not change them. The dead batteries are problematic because you have to change them entirely.
You have to click repeatedly to start your engine, which can damage its button. Moreover, the problem is poor signal strength due to weak batteries.
You can fix this issue by charging its weak batteries to accurately detect the key from the truck’s computer system.
Changing the dead batteries to start and stop functioning is also necessary.
Damage to a key fob
It also contains other parts apart from its batteries that play an essential role in starting or stopping your vehicle with a single click.
These internal parts get damaged, and you cannot get appropriate signals from them. The truck will not start because its computer system cannot receive signals from the key fob.
The internal damage comes in them due to daily and routine usage. Moreover, the things that are in more use become damaged early.
The internal circuit is also for power supply and strong signals to the vehicle’s computer system.
Routine usage also produces wear and tear in the internal circuitry of these devices. In addition, the wires of these circuits can break and become loose from their appropriate connections.
The loose or broken wires cannot signal accurately due to a cut in the power supply. So you have to keep the spare key fob with you to start your engine in emergencies.
Use of wrong key fob
The truck cannot detect the key fob when using the wrong ones to start or stop its engine. Every type of automobile has specific fobs, and you cannot use them for others.
Sometimes people in emergencies pick up the wrong key fobs from their living room table and cannot start their Ford truck.
The wrong ones cannot provide signals that match the computerized system.
In addition, these are mainly of the same shapes and get mixed when all your family members put them at the same table.
Using the key fob from a distance
The key fobs provide signals in a specific range, and they cannot work when you are far from your trucks.
Sometimes people want to turn on the engine from the outside while doors are locked. In this situation, it cannot provide good signal strength, and you must click the start button multiple times.
You have to know their specific signal range to work appropriately. Many people change their batteries and do not maintain the distance.
Avoid changing the batteries when these are not working or your vehicle is not detecting them. First, maintain their distance and keep them closer to your vehicle’s computer system.
Cold weather
The key fob is an electronic device with electronic circuitry for the power supply. The cold outside weather has a strong impact on these electronic devices.
The cold weather can make them faulty or jam their functioning.
Many people complain that key detection issue mostly comes in the winter season.
The problem also comes when you place these small electronic devices in air-conditioned rooms or interiors for a longer time.
You can resolve the issue by keeping them indoors in winter or cold weather. You can also put them in both hands and warm them with your breath to restore their functioning.
Programming error
Programming error mostly comes in keyless entries, which is not common in traditional keys. It means it is not programmed in your vehicle’s computer system.
When your truck shows a detecting issue, it is not programmed in the computer system. As a result, the electronic control module does not recognize the signals.
Moreover, the issue comes when you use duplicate keys for your Ford truck.
You have to change the setting of your onboard system to resolve the programming error.
Weak batteries of truck
The batteries are necessary for power supply to various electronic systems, including the dashboard and onboard computer system.
The weak batteries cannot supply enough electrical current or power for the appropriate functioning of these systems.
The batteries become weak early when you purchase used vehicles from the market. Moreover, consecutive use of headlights also causes this issue.
Heavy electronic devices also drain more power from these electrical sources. Therefore, you should charge your Ford F150 battery when it becomes weak and dead.
Faulty immobilizer system
The immobilizer key fob system is present in automobiles to protect them from theft and provide safety.
It is secure because no one can use the wrong or duplicate keys to start your vehicle. Sometimes the computer system shows a No Key Detected sign due to an immobilizer issue.
A faulty immobilizer is the entry of water into the system or the presence of moisture. The damaged circuit board or loose wiring connections also make them faulty.
The problem comes because the system cannot detect the signals of the fob due to a faulty wiring system.
You can fix this issue in Ford Focus by protecting them from water and circuit damage.
Interference with other systems
The interference with another electrical system in your Ford trucks also causes the poor detection of signals from the key fob.
The radars in most automobiles cause an interruption in signals, and the keyless entry cannot detect them.
Several wireless alarms in your vehicles emit waves of the same frequency, which can confuse the detection of signals by the electronic control module.
You can fix the problem by switching these systems.
Presence of metal objects
The presence of metal objects near your key fob can also cause key detection issues, and you cannot start your truck.
The metal interacts with these electronic devices, and the electronic control module cannot detect the signals appropriately.
Moreover, several electronic devices like smartphones also emit some waves, which can cause an interruption in recognition of signals.
You can fix this issue by keeping all the metal objects and your smartphones away from key fobs for efficient functioning.
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