Dealer Service Using PAAK

[nivlem]

I had an issue today and am curious if anyone has experienced a similar problem. I took my Mach E to the dealer for a minor issue and got an education in the process. (Note: I use PAAK; the Key Fob belongs to my wife.) Lesson I learned; you can not get a repair using PAAK. I'm told the dealer must have the Key Fob in his possession; he can not access codes in Valet mode, nor is there a way to access them unless he has your phone while they are working on the car. (Unacceptable). The only choice I had was go and retrieve my wife's Fob. Luckily she was not traveling or otherwise unavailable. This could have been disastrous if I were on a trip, or otherwise, in a location where the Fob was unavailable. Ford needs to fix this issue or people could be stranded on the road. They should either provide a second Fob to go with the car, or update software to allow access in valet mode or PAAK mode without the phone.

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[JoeDimwit]

I may be a bit daft, but I’d like to think the dealership would be able to program a second FOB to control the car while they’re working on it.

 

[machefan]

I may be a bit daft, but I’d like to think the dealership would be able to program a second FOB to control the car while they’re working on it.

You need the first fob to program a second one.

 

[machefan]

I had an issue today and am curious if anyone has experienced a similar problem. I took my Mach E to the dealer for a minor issue and got an education in the process. (Note: I use PAAK; the Key Fob belongs to my wife.) Lesson I learned; you can not get a repair using PAAK. I'm told the dealer must have the Key Fob in his possession; he can not access codes in Valet mode, nor is there a way to access them unless he has your phone while they are working on the car. (Unacceptable). The only choice I had was go and retrieve my wife's Fob. Luckily she was not traveling or otherwise unavailable. This could have been disastrous if I were on a trip, or otherwise, in a location where the Fob was unavailable. Ford needs to fix this issue or people could be stranded on the road. They should either provide a second Fob to go with the car, or update software to allow access in valet mode or PAAK mode without the phone.

I agree on a second FOB, disagree that it’s a Ford issue for needing the FOB for service. I wouldn’t want my car to be programmed by a valet.

Think of the FOB as the admin password for your MME’s computer.

 

[JoeDimwit]

You need the first fob to program a second one.

So, if my one and only FOB gets run over and ruined, the car is trash? That seems like a pretty severe design flaw. Also, there is a point in each Mach-E’s life where they don’t even have that first fob programmed, there has to be a way.

 

[breeves002]

You need the first fob to program a second one.

Not if you're a qualified dealer/locksmith.

 

[breeves002]

So, if my one and only FOB gets run over and ruined, the car is trash? That seems like a pretty severe design flaw. Also, there is a point in each Mach-E’s life where they don’t even have that first fob programmed, there has to be a way.

They can program a car with no keys at all, it just requires verification of ownership.

 

[JoeDimwit]

I can totally see them wanting us to go get our fob if it is reasonably possible, but if I’m 1400 miles from home, I’m certain they can come up with something beyond “you’re gonna have to leave us your phone then”.

 

[Scarpia]

Not if you're a qualified dealer/locksmith.

I think you're sorely mistaken. I have had three different well-qualified locksmiths be unable to program my second fob, even with the first fob present.
The dealer even needs the car and the original fob to program a second one.
Once you have two fobs, you can program a third one yourself, however.

 

[breeves002]

I think you're sorely mistaken. I have had three different well-qualified locksmiths be unable to program my second fob, even with the first fob present.
The dealer even needs the car and the original fob to program a second one.
Once you have two fobs, you can program a third one yourself, however.

I am not mistaken.

Locksmiths may not have updated software for the Mach e yet. In the future they should be equipped to handle it no problem.

The dealer does need the car but does NOT need any fob to program a new one, they just have to verify ownership of the vehicle. Keep in mind when they do it this way they delete all other keys and program new ones. Imagine how ridiculous it would be if they couldn’t program a key. If you lose your key the car is utterly useless Then.

 

[breeves002]

I think you're sorely mistaken. I have had three different well-qualified locksmiths be unable to program my second fob, even with the first fob present.
The dealer even needs the car and the original fob to program a second one.
Once you have two fobs, you can program a third one yourself, however.

Read the #2 note from the WSM. If NO keys are available do the following…

 

[Scarpia]

The document you posted is generic - there are a lot of "If X, then Y", "if equipped", "on some models", etc., which shows that it is not specific to the Mach E.

The locksmiths AND the dealer all told me they need the car and original fob to program the second fob. I guess it is possible that all four parties are wrong.

After dealing with three professionals who assured me they could program the key, and were then unsuccessful, I have come to the conclusion that the Mach E is somewhat different than other vehicles, and I would not be confident that your document would apply. Even dealers have had to upgrade equipment to be able to program these specific keys.

I'm not interested in arguing about something I know little about, but I hope you are correct.

 

[nivlem]

The document you posted is generic - there are a lot of "If X, then Y", "if equipped", "on some models", etc., which shows that it is not specific to the Mach E.

The locksmiths AND the dealer all told me they need the car and original fob to program the second fob. I guess it is possible that all four parties are wrong.

After dealing with three professionals who assured me they could program the key, and were then unsuccessful, I have come to the conclusion that the Mach E is somewhat different than other vehicles, and I would not be confident that your document would apply. Even dealers have had to upgrade equipment to be able to program these specific keys.

I'm not interested in arguing about something I know little about, but I hope you are correct.

To me having the dealer program an alternate Key Fob seems to be a "work around" solution. If Ford must use PAAK as an alternate Key Fob, then do what ever is neccessary to make sure the dealer does not need the customer's phone to work on the car. Failing that, provide a second Key Fob (free of charge) to everyone........a simple solution that will work. The customer should not be put through a ringer to get his car fixed!

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

@Scarpia, that’s a reasonably legitimate concern imo. A simple enough solution is to:

1. Buy a second fob and have it programmed. If you want to ensure you always have it, then put it in a faraday bag and keep it in the car, somewhere out of sight. Just be aware of the risks of doing that last part. There was a fob shortage a while back. Don’t know if that’s still true.

2. Program your wife’s smart phone for PAAK. Have your dealer comply with the SSMs if PAAK is flakey for you.

3. Do both of the above. Then you’ll have 2 extra fobs with both of you using PAAK.

 

[machefan]

I am not mistaken.

Locksmiths may not have updated software for the Mach e yet. In the future they should be equipped to handle it no problem.

The dealer does need the car but does NOT need any fob to program a new one, they just have to verify ownership of the vehicle. Keep in mind when they do it this way they delete all other keys and program new ones. Imagine how ridiculous it would be if they couldn’t program a key. If you lose your key the car is utterly useless Then.

I stand corrected, but it’s a much different process and the original poster would break his first FOB if another FOB was programmed without the first present. The moral of the thread is that when in service you need to bring the FOB. I don’t think this is a big deal and a workaround would be to purchase a second FOB, which is what I did for backup.

I guess Ford could add a dealer mode for such purpose using codes like valet.

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