jestevens Posted August 14, 2017 Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 Had a little scare yesterday. I was parked at hotel parking lot overnight and as I went to put bags in the back of the car, the liftgate wouldn't open. Went around to the back door and grabbed the handle, it wouldn't unlock. Grabbed the front handle, it wouldn't unlock. I thought for a minute the 12V battery was dead. I was fumbling around with the smartkey because I couldn't remember how to get the actual key out of the FOB. After another minute I grabbed the handle and the door unlocked. I immediately checked the headlights, etc. to see if I had left anything on and no. The car started right up and it worked fine thereafter. I guess the car must've been in some sort of deep sleep or something was interfering with the FOB signal. No indication that the FOB battery was low. Is there a key in the FOB, and if so how do you get to it. I see that there are some indentations on the side.. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestevens Posted August 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 I saw a post on another forum that shows how the blade is stored under the back cover of the FOB, you just squeeze the two tabs and pull up on the Ford logo. ptjones, obob and kyledamron1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obob Posted August 14, 2017 Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 jestevens and ptjones 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptjones Posted August 14, 2017 Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 A key fob for a non auto start CMAX is a little different, to release the FORD cover on side you push in on either side at the top of fob. This lifts up the cover and you can use a finger nail to lift cover off. This exposes the key. :) Paul jestevens and kyledamron1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louder North Posted August 16, 2017 Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 A key fob for a non auto start CMAX is a little different, to release the FORD cover on side you push in on either side at the top of fob. This lifts up the cover and you can use a finger nail to lift cover off. This exposes the key. :) Paul... and there is a corresponding slot in the key cavity to fit the tab at the end of the 'key' so that you can actually turn it. ptjones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nsteblay Posted August 17, 2017 Report Share Posted August 17, 2017 The battery on your FOB is probably on its last leg. I had similar problems recently. I replaced the FOB battery and all is well. jestevens 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah Harbinger Posted August 29, 2017 Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 I had a similar problem - I was freaked out that my 12v battery had decided to die in middle-of-nowhere Idaho, or at least didn't have enough power at 41º to maintain its key fob sensors. But opening it with the manual key, everything turned on and it started right up. So I'm guessing it was actually the fob's battery that lost too much power to work at 41º - it's running 2.8v open-circuit voltage now, which is on the low side considering that under load it should hit that voltage at 60% discharged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestevens Posted August 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2017 Yes, I think I have some spare coin cell batteries, I'm going to change the FOB battery soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestevens Posted August 31, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2017 Works better now, just push a small flat blade screwdriver under the squeezy side clips of the FOB and wiggle gently to separate the top and bottom clips/halves, put replacement battery 2032 in writing side down. There was an admonition on the video I was watching not to let the screwdriver forcefully slip into the key cavity and break off some of the components on the circuit board or else you'd be buying a new key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telesrjyje Posted September 24, 2017 Report Share Posted September 24, 2017 I dont know why but I cant unlock or lock the car using the door handle when its around 25F outside. But, it works at 0F ... anyway, does anyone has the same problem ? and just to be sure I didnt wear gloves or anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestevens Posted September 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2017 (edited) I've never had a problem due to temperature and we've had a handful of days down to 0F last winter. I have had where it didn't read the ground loop until I'd put my hand all the way around the handle (instead of just touching the front) in order to unlock. I've also had where it didn't seem to notice until I pulled on the handle and tried it again.. Prius used to have a button under the steering column to turn off the smart key radio if you went away from the car for a long time (couple of weeks at airport, etc.) so the 12V wouldn't be drained. Maybe Ford does something better to put the car into deep sleep - pulling on the handle to wake it up would be a nice compromise but I'm just guessing.. Edited September 26, 2017 by jestevens obob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie'sMom Posted December 21, 2017 Report Share Posted December 21, 2017 I had the cat complaining LOUDLY in a carrier to go to the vet's and the passenger side wouldn't open. It was mid 40s and raining. Went to the driver's side--still a brick. Purse is in the car too, so cat and I go grab a checkbook and keys to the back up PT and we're off to the vet. Where I have a flat tire. Life's Rich Pageant. When I caught a ride home with still complaining cat, I got the key out of the fob and opened the car--the instant I put the key in, lights came on, so no 12 volt problem. I'm going to replace the fob battery, it has got to be time, and hope that it is happy trails. That is if it actually runs. I was able to "bark" the horn with the fob numerous times since the big break in with the mechanical key. I'll post to see if I have a cure. ptjones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie'sMom Posted December 21, 2017 Report Share Posted December 21, 2017 Well it is acting perfect today. Hmmm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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