Keyless Entry on a 2013 SEL Hybrid only working on the passenger side?

[philie]

Hey, 

we have a new to us used 2013 CMAX and found out the somehow the keyless entry seems only to work on the passenger side.

Is there a way to program or activate it or would the conclusion be that there is a defect inside of the door?

If so, could the parts be exchanged without reprogramming? I am handy, however I do not have any windows device or ford software for programming.

This would be an essential feature for us so we want to get it fixed if possible ?

Thanks a lot!

Philie

[fbov]

Welcome!

 

First, your 2013 has 4-door entry; rear doors unlock as well as the front. They got rid of that in later years. I used the back door whenever it happened. 

 

Second, Ford had a service bulletin on them because they didn't work when wet. TSB14-0078  per service records. It involved disassembling the handle and applying a drying spray... can't find the copy, hopefully someone will chime in. Issues did disappear eventually.

 

have fun

Frank

[plus 3 golfer]

It’s fairly easy to remove the outer door handles and spray the electrical connector and wires.   See link. Also, make sure the sensor under the door handles are clean.  Lastly, your key FOB batteries may need replaced.  Here's how the Passive Entry works:

 

Passive Entry

The passive entry feature unlocks or locks the doors or opens the liftgate without having to use a mechanical key or the RKE transmitter feature.

When the RFA module detects a lock or unlock sensor is touched on an exterior door handle or the liftgate release button is pressed, it activates the low frequency antenna in the corresponding exterior door handle or inside the rear bumper cover. The low frequency antenna sends out a signal to the passive key. The low frequency signal activates the passive key and the passive key then sends a high frequency signal back to the Radio Frequency (RF) Receiver. The Radio Frequency (RF) Receiver interprets the high frequency signal from the passive key and sends the information to the RFA module. If the RFA module detects a programmed passive key, the RFA module unlocks the driver door, unlocks or locks all 4 doors, or sends a command to the Rear Gate Trunk Module (RGTM) to open the liftgate.

 

 

There are also 3 PATS antennas to pick up the FOB transmission for locking and unlocking car from FOB.  One under the dash pretty much under the start push button, one in the back of the center console, and third in hatch area under center of lift back. It's possible that the FOB batteries are weak and the high frequency signal can not be picked up by the PATS antennas if FOB on passenger side.

 

 

https://static.oemdtc.com/TSB/14-0078.pdf

Edited January 19, 2020 by Plus 3 Golfer

[philie]

Insane! You guys rock!

thanks so much !!

[philie]

Does anyone of you know of an alternative to the recommended sonar polymer spray?

i do not seem to get it around me and would love to finish the job over the weekend ?

seems easy enough.

thanks a lot!

[plus 3 golfer]

I'd just get it on Amazon and with Prime, I would have it Tuesday.  Here's what's in the WS manual for front door handle. Rear is virtually the same.

 

[philie]

This is what I ended up doing. Thanks for the repair manual links, very helpful!