Complete Lockout following Auto Update-with resolution

Desertskibum8

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2023 GT AWD - let Ford do Automatic updates last night. This morning I am totally locked out of the car. Ford Pass app says I have to get towed. Anybody else have similar experience? What was the solution?
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garyd9

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Does the car respond to the key fob whatsoever? (clicking or blinking lights when you try to unlock the car?)

It's really odd that this seems to be happening to a lot of 2023's recently...
 
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Desertskibum8

Desertskibum8

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Does the car respond to the key fob whatsoever? (clicking or blinking lights when you try to unlock the car?)

It's really odd that this seems to be happening to a lot of 2023's recently...
The headlights click on when clicking the lock/unlock on the fob, but the doors remain locked.
 

garyd9

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The headlights click on when clicking the lock/unlock on the fob, but the doors remain locked.
So this is identical to the problem being reported by many others. The battery has enough power that the frunk cables likely won't work, so can't access the battery directly.

@Ford Motor Company You might be able to help this person...
 


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Should I be turning off updates on my 2023 GT for now?
 
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Desertskibum8

Desertskibum8

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Update - Ford says the MME must be towed to dealer to get reset. Tow truck driver arrived. Said he couldn't tow it because he has a flatbed. He told me to call Ford and request a different tow truck with Wheel Lift and Dolly. On the phone now with Ford.

Based on the craziness of this experience I would highly recommend not doing automatic updates.
 

LinkRS

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Update - Ford says the MME must be towed to dealer to get reset. Tow truck driver arrived. Said he couldn't tow it because he has a flatbed. He told me to call Ford and request a different tow truck with Wheel Lift and Dolly. On the phone now with Ford.

Based on the craziness of this experience I would highly recommend not doing automatic updates.
I was locked out of my 2023 Mach-E on the 29th of June. It happened to me while we were out. The last update I received prior to this was 6.14, but not on the same day so I didn't correlate the two. They had to tow my Mach-E to the dealer, and I was very unhappy with *how* they did it. The flatbed driver put two wooden ramp-like skids under the rear tires (pulled me up onto the bed from the rear of my Mach-E), put a whole bunch of grease or something on the bed, scooted the lift under the skids, and dragged the Mach-E onto the bed. I asked my dealership to check that there had been no damage caused by that, and they said they didn't "see" any. It does seem to be driving fine at this time as well. This was the Roadside company that Ford EV department dispatched to me. I recommend that you contact the @Ford Motor Company account here, and see if they can help your dealership figure out a way through this mess quickly. I was only down for 64 hours, which included a Sunday, as the dealership service department was closed.

Good luck

Rich S.
 
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Desertskibum8

Desertskibum8

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Great input. Thank you for sharing. I have contacted Ford and am still waiting for the second tow truck.

Quick question - what did Ford service department actually do to fix your car?
 

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Great input. Thank you for sharing. I have contacted Ford and am still waiting for the second tow truck.

Quick question - what did Ford service department actually do to fix your car?
I assume you are referring to me? My 12-volt battery had failed. The voltage level was too low for the door locks to disengage, and I assume to start it, but not dead. That prevented me from being able to use the emergency frunk release, in addition to the fact that the negative (black) cable for the frunk release was not in an accessible place. Incidentally, my Mach-E had stopped updating its location and communicating with FordPass while this was occurring, further indicating it was an issue with the 12-volt. It sat for a few day, and I am thinking that the 12-volt finally went completely dead, so after they removed my front bumper to find the negative cable, they were able to pop the frunk, get in and replace the 12-volt. Once they did that, it came alive again, and started updating FordPass and everything.

While my vehicle as disabled, it would respond to the fob, and PaaK, but just wouldn't open the doors. If I tried to open the frunk or back via FordPass, it would fail. I have made the assumption that the Mach-E does not have logic to deal with a critically low battery, just a dead batter or one with a low (not critically low) charge. So this was an unknown state.

The interesting thing, is if it is possible that somehow an OTA did something to cause this? If so, which one?

Good luck!

Rich S.
 

garyd9

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If the lights flash in response to the fob, I wonder if the 12v battery could be drained enough (for the frunk 12v wires to work) by just playing with the fob.

Once you can get the frunk open, you can jump the 12v battery and start the car.
 

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If the lights flash in response to the fob, I wonder if the 12v battery could be drained enough (for the frunk 12v wires to work) by just playing with the fob.

Once you can get the frunk open, you can jump the 12v battery and start the car.
this is exactly what the "Dan Gearhart" copied post said, he couldn't access the frunk with wires, so he activated the locking button on the fob repeatedly to kill the 12 v, and then was able to hook up the pigtails to get the frunk open, which apparently worked. I think for me going forward, I'm going to keep the window open at nite at least until I get this update. 24-PU0301-BLM-PE
 
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Desertskibum8

Desertskibum8

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Just wanted to share how this got resolved.
12 v battery was too dead to open doors but still alive enough to keep jump start from opening frunk.

Tech had to” force entry “ into car, which I presume is fancy speak for shimming in with locksmith tools.

OTA updates were reset and reinstalled. 12v and large batteries tested using “drain test”. 12 v battery replaced.

Car is now running perfectly and I have learned the following.
1. Only do updates with the car in the garage and windows down in case the update drains the 12 v battery.

2. When towing, insist on a tow truck with Wheel Lift and not a flat bed.

3. If locked out, a locksmith may be able to gain access to car without dealing with dealer.

Thanks you for all the help and insights.
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