2018 Mustang Smart Key FOB Issues

[ChrisWoodard]

I recently purchased a 2018 base model Eco from an auction and it came with no keys. I had an extra 18+ mustang FOB laying around so I purchased another matching "remote start" FOB and reprogrammed both keys to the car with my scan tool. Everything appeared to program correctly on the tool side, the door locks locked and unlocked with each FOB and the normal message appeared in the dash stated that the key programming was successful. I know the programming took as the keys will start the car with the key in the RFID slot but they will not lock or unlock any doors or truck. Both FOBs are OEM Ford and both FOB batteries are just over 3V and I even swapped batteries with a working FOB and no luck. I tried to delete all keys and start over and still end up with the same results. I have never had a base model mustang before... but I can't image the base keys and remote start keys aren't interchangeable. It acts EXACTLY like a FOB with a dead battery. Is it possible that I have two defective FOBs?

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[GilmourD]

How did you program two keys with just a scan tool without bringing it to a dealer?

Does the car have remote start and the fobs don't or vice-versa? The remote start fobs work on a different frequency but unpowered RFID coils might not be different, so your programming "works" but not for the radio transmitter part.

 

[ChrisWoodard]

It is a bidirectional scan tool (XTool D8). The car is not equipped with remote start but the key FOB are equipped with it. If they do run a different frequency, then that very well may be my problem. I guess I will invest in some new FOBs without remote start and see what that does.

 

[Vertex]

From what I remember when I was last working at a ford dealer, I'm not even sure if a locksmith can get a keycode for anything newer right now. We had to log into a ford portal to get access to programming keys on pretty much anything newer, however, I don't recall how far back that was. Something may have changed since then but I doubt it.

 

[GilmourD]

It is a bidirectional scan tool (XTool D8). The car is not equipped with remote start but the key FOB are equipped with it. If they do run a different frequency, then that very well may be my problem. I guess I will invest in some new FOBs without remote start and see what that does.

Yeah, non-remote start fobs are 315MHz and remote start fobs are 902MHz.

I'm OCD and if I get 2018+ style fobs for my 2015 I want to make sure the pony is on the back, so I've been looking. They can be had without the pony for not much, though (under $50).

 

[ChrisWoodard]

Thanks Tom. The frequency difference explains everything. My new keys should be here early next week and I should be good to go. My 16 year old son will never know his key FOB is missing a button. =-)

 

[GilmourD]

Thanks Tom. The frequency difference explains everything. My new keys should be here early next week and I should be good to go. My 16 year old son will never know his key FOB is missing a button. =-)

Well, it would be a missing button that doesn't do anything...

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