S550 Keyless locking not working

[The Latman]

Hey folks,

Had a pretty cold snap this past week and I’ve noticed that the keyless locking no longer works.

Not sure how it works in the US, but on the models in the U.K. there’s a wee symbol on the handle, looks like a WiFi symbol…… tapping that whilst in possession of the key locks the door. This isn’t working on either door handle.

I can unlock it by grasping the handle as normal, just won’t lock.

The car has gotten pretty dirty because of all the crap on the roads for winter, I cleaned the handle but it’s still not doing anything.

Is there anything anybody can suggest?

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[Adam the Lighting Guy]

Start off with replacing the battery in the fob. I know that sounds odd if the lock system is particularly working bit I had something similar happen and a fob battery fixed it. Also, try using the spare fob to see of the primary one is the issue.

 

[Torched10]

That happens to me when my Battery gets low.i usually gets a warning through fird pass all i do is take drive with my car and remote works agian.of course first step is to replace fob battery

 

[The Latman]

Thanks for the replies.

The locking behaves the same regardless of which key fob I use. I will try changing the batter on the primary just in case though.

She was out for a longer run yesterday, I use her daily and both Saturday and Sunday were days where I was running about on longer runs.

 

[The Latman]

Ok, had a still sealed spare battery. Swapped out the primary battery, still the same. It unlocks when I hold the handles but won’t lock by tapping them.

Any other ideas I can try? It’s going into the dealer for a service in a couple of weeks, I’m hesitant to mention it to them as you know what happens then….££££££

 

[Snakebyte]

Realizing you are having an issue "locking", are you having issues with "unlock" also? If not, you may have a "contacts" issue, and may need to clean the "locking" contact. It will not be metal engagement per se, but rather a proximity contact. I use isopropyl alcohol for cleaning in such a case.

 

[The Latman]

Ok, yeah unlocking is fine.

Which bit (on both handles) should I clean? The ridges, inbetween them?

 

[ORRadtech]

Does the proximity locking function work on the passenger side?

 

[Snakebyte]

Ok, yeah unlocking is fine.

Which bit (on both handles) should I clean? The ridges, inbetween them?

I was talking about the FOB contacts. Sorry for not being specific.

 

[The Latman]

No.

Both can unlock by grabbing the handles, but neither can lock by tapping the symbols.

 

[The Latman]

I was talking about the FOB contacts. Sorry for not being specific.

Ok the fob itself. I’ve tried both fobs with the same result. Can unlock but can’t lock. Even changed the primary fob battery this morning. Still no joy.

 

[Snakebyte]

Oh...then what @ORRadtech asked, is it only one door? Knowing that may help further pin down the source of your issue.

 

[The Latman]

Gotcha. Neither door can be locked by tapping the handle. Both can unlock it, but neither can lock.

 

[Snakebyte]

Maybe something in the AI response of this google search can help?????

 

[The Latman]

Maybe something in the AI response of this google search can help?????

That was a good shout. I posed the question to co pilot:


It sounds like a frustrating issue! Here are a few potential reasons and solutions for your keyless entry problem:

1. Battery in the Key Fob: The battery in your key fob might be low. Even if it still unlocks the car, a weak battery can sometimes cause issues with other functions. Try replacing the battery in your key fob.
2. Car Battery: A low car battery can also cause issues with the keyless entry system. Even if your car starts fine, the battery might not have enough power to support all electronic functions. You might want to get your car battery tested
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3. Sensor Issues: The sensors in the door handle might be dirty or malfunctioning. Try cleaning the area around the sensors gently with a soft cloth. If that doesn't help, the sensor might need to be checked or replaced by a professional
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4. Software Glitch: Sometimes, a software glitch can cause these issues. Try resetting the system by disconnecting the car battery for a few minutes and then reconnecting it. If the problem persists, a software update from a Ford dealership might be necessary
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5. Settings: Check the settings in your car's infotainment system. There might be an option that controls the keyless entry functions. Make sure everything is set correctly
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If none of these solutions work, it might be best to visit a Ford dealership or a trusted mechanic to diagnose and fix the issue. Let me know if you need more detailed instructions on any of these steps!


When i replied by stating I'd tried 1, and that 2 had a good run over the weekend and that I had tried to disable the keyless option on the car settings and stating i would go for the battery option, unprompted it then said the following:


It sounds like you've already done a lot of troubleshooting! Here are a few more details to help you with steps 4a and 5:

Disconnecting the Car Battery
When you disconnect the car battery, it can reset some of the electronic systems in your car. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Memory Settings: You might lose some memory settings, such as radio presets, clock settings, and seat positions. Be prepared to reset these after reconnecting the battery.
2. ECU Reset: Disconnecting the battery can reset the Engine Control Unit (ECU), which might cause the car to run a bit differently until it re-learns your driving habits.
3. Alarm System: If your car has an aftermarket alarm system, it might need to be reset or reprogrammed.

To safely disconnect the battery:

1. Turn off the ignition and remove the key.
2. Disconnect the negative terminal first, then the positive terminal
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3. Wait for about 10-15 minutes before reconnecting the battery, starting with the positive terminal and then the negative
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Keyless Entry Settings
After resetting the car battery, give the keyless entry system some time to recalibrate. Make sure the keyless entry setting is turned on in your car's infotainment system. Sometimes, it might take a few minutes for the system to fully reset and start working again.

Since you have a service appointment on the 27th, mentioning this issue to the dealer is a good idea if the problem persists. They might be able to diagnose it more thoroughly.

Good luck, and I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.



So, disconnecting the battery. What can I expect to lose when I reconnect the battery again?

I have been toying with doing this for a while, I got the car used and the gear changing, particularly to 3rd or 5th can be a bit jarring. Ive read that disconnecting the battery and resetting the ecu helps the car learn my style of driving and accomodate gear shifting better

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