Bought an Aftermark Lightning Key - Can't Program it

[MichiganMatt]

I've been thinking how nice it would be to have a FRUNK button on my key, so I decided to purchase a Lightning key.

I've got a 2022 Premium, and I understand it's 315Mhz on the fob so I identity what I think is the correct key, and I order an aftermarket one from noblekeysupply.com
This is the exact one I ordered: https://noblekeysupply.com/products/prx-fd-r8304?rq=yr_2022__mk_ford__md_f150-lightning

So key arrives, feels like it's good quality, and I try to program it using my 2 FACTORY keys. I know I got the steps right, because I get the driver screen to display the Factory PIN code on the screen, followed by the Failed to Program Key error message when the new key goes into the slot. I seen notes from others they have to soft-restart the Synch system, or wait and try again after a number of minutes. I have attempted to program this on on 4 different occasions with the same failed to program message. I also tried pulling the batteries out of all 3 of the keys, and same result. I'm pretty sure it's just not a compatible key.

Any reason anyone can see why I can't program this key or I ordered the wrong thing? They key itself looks just like the picture. I looked and I don't see any printed info on the inside like the FCC ID of it like my factory keys. It was under $30 including shipping so no big deal if it's not going to work, but if I'm going to order another one, I want to make sure to get the right one next time.

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[markboris]

I've been thinking how nice it would be to have a FRUNK button on my key, so I decided to purchase a Lightning key.

I've got a 2022 Premium, and I understand it's 315Mhz on the fob so I identity what I think is the correct key, and I order an aftermarket one from noblekeysupply.com
This is the exact one I ordered: https://noblekeysupply.com/products/prx-fd-r8304?rq=yr_2022__mk_ford__md_f150-lightning

So key arrives, feels like it's good quality, and I try to program it using my 2 FACTORY keys. I know I got the steps right, because I get the driver screen to display the Factory PIN code on the screen, followed by the Failed to Program Key error message when the new key goes into the slot. I seen notes from others they have to soft-restart the Synch system, or wait and try again after a number of minutes. I have attempted to program this on on 4 different occasions with the same failed to program message. I also tried pulling the batteries out of all 3 of the keys, and same result. I'm pretty sure it's just not a compatible key.

Any reason anyone can see why I can't program this key or I ordered the wrong thing? They key itself looks just like the picture. I looked and I don't see any printed info on the inside like the FCC ID of it like my factory keys. It was under $30 including shipping so no big deal if it's not going to work, but if I'm going to order another one, I want to make sure to get the right one next time.

I have programed several of these for owners.

Did you make sure all doors where closed before you started to program?

Were all the key fobs positioned with the smaller end down and the buttons facing the rear of the car?

Did you switch out each key fob in 5 seconds or less?

 

[MichiganMatt]

I have programed several of these for owners.

Did you make sure all doors where closed before you started to program?

Were all the key fobs positioned with the smaller end down and the buttons facing the rear of the car?

Did you switch out each key fob in 5 seconds or less?

This is good news that several worked for you, I'm hopeful I can get mine to work.

All the doors were indeed closed.

I was not paying attention to the direction of the keys (front vs back) but they were inserted with small end down.

It seemed like I was going fast enough. The first probably 6 times, I was going too slow, and the factory door code never showed, them I sped up and pace seemed right because I can get it to show everytime now.

I'll give it another shot and report back. Might be a few days, it's in at the dealer checking to see if I coax cable issue can get sorted before extended warranty runs out.

I appreciate the reply Mark.

 

[Clippy_Zs]

I'm in the same boat as you are. Mine won't program either, however, the eBay seller I bought from has it listed on their listing "must be programmed by dealer or certified locksmith", so I'm assuming that's why mine isn't working.

I bought all the stuff I needed for ForScan, hoping I could program using that, not realizing the newer vehicles cannot program keys using it.

Hoping someone gives you a solution as I would love to use my key with frunk button.

 

[DeusEx]

I'm in the same boat as you are. Mine won't program either, however, the eBay seller I bought from has it listed on their listing "must be programmed by dealer or certified locksmith", so I'm assuming that's why mine isn't working.

I bought all the stuff I needed for ForScan, hoping I could program using that, not realizing the newer vehicles cannot program keys using it.

Hoping someone gives you a solution as I would love to use my key with frunk button.

I used this video to help me program the extra keyfob I purchased from eBay.



So long as you have 2 keyfobs and the new one with the correct frequency, you should be able to program without the need for a dealer. What I've found reading prior posts is that folks accidentally turn on the car by pushing the brake and pressing start at the same time. When programming, you have to press start only to go into accessory mode. It should take less than 5 minutes if done correctly.

Just as a FYI, I purchased mine from this seller. https://ebay.us/m/tIpPJs

 

[Clippy_Zs]

I used this video to help me program the extra keyfob I purchased from eBay.



So long as you have 2 keyfobs and the new one with the correct frequency, you should be able to program without the need for a dealer. What I've found reading prior posts is that folks accidentally turn on the car by pushing the brake and pressing start at the same time. When programming, you have to press start only to go into accessory mode. It should take less than 5 minutes if done correctly.

Just as a FYI, I purchased mine from this seller. https://ebay.us/m/tIpPJs

This is the one I purchased: https://ebay.us/m/YozCpw

While troubleshooting, I did come across you video and followed it to no avail. I tried this multiple times like with no solution sadly.

 

[MichiganMatt]

I bought all the stuff I needed for ForScan, hoping I could program using that, not realizing the newer vehicles cannot program keys using it.

ForScan, can never be used to program keys, it's a security thing. FDRS can be used to program keys, but it's limited to dealers and maybe locksmiths(?), basically people authorized to create keys by Ford as a safety/security measure.

 

[Clippy_Zs]

ForScan, can never be used to program keys, it's a security thing. FDRS can be used to program keys, but it's limited to dealers and maybe locksmiths(?), basically people authorized to create keys by Ford as a safety/security measure.

ForScan can actually program older vehicle keys, just not the newer cars past 2020 or so.

 

[DeusEx]

@Clippy_Zs, what error message are you seeing from the IPC when you do your programming? From the eBay listing you posted, the frequency should be compatible with the Mach-E. Perhaps a defective keyfob?

Also are you the first owner of the car or did you purchased used? I recall that there is a max number of keyfobs one can program before it has to be done by the dealer.

 

[MichiganMatt]

While troubleshooting, I did come across you video and followed it to no avail. I tried this multiple times like with no solution sadly.

Same for me, that video was super helpful, the first probably 6 times I tried, I was too slow, or too fast, or pressed the brake and I never got the Factory Door code on the drivers screen. Once I followed the video steps, I was able to get the Factory Door code almost every time, and then drop the new key in and then get the ERROR message.

 

[Clippy_Zs]

@Clippy_Zs, what error message are you seeing from the IPC when you do your programming? From the eBay listing you posted, the frequency should be compatible with the Mach-E. Perhaps a defective keyfob?

Also are you the first owner of the car or did you purchased used? I recall that there is a max number of keyfobs one can program before it has to be done by the dealer.

I get the same error as Matt. I believe I’m the second owner of the car (it was a buyback vehicle). I will say, one of the keys has the Mach-E mustang on it while the other is the standard mustang, so maybe the replaced one of they keys and all of my spares are used up?

 

[MichiganMatt]

I get the same error as Matt. I believe I’m the second owner of the car (it was a buyback vehicle). I will say, one of the keys has the Mach-E mustang on it while the other is the standard mustang, so maybe the replaced one of they keys and all of my spares are used up?

The owners manual states that up to 4 key fobs can be paired to a vehicle and once you get to 4 programed fobs, a dealer needs to help to remove one or more.

I'm second owner on mine as well, and mine came with 2 keys, both with pony logo on back.

The '21s I think only came 1 key, and then there was a program to get a 2nd key free. Maybe that's why one of yours doesn't have a pony on the back. Or, perhaps dealer added second key before selling it to you.

 

[markboris]

The owners manual states that up to 4 key fobs can be paired to a vehicle and once you get to 4 programed fobs, a dealer needs to help to remove one or more.

I'm second owner on mine as well, and mine came with 2 keys, both with pony logo on back.

The '21s I think only came 1 key, and then there was a program to get a 2nd key free. Maybe that's why one of yours doesn't have a pony on the back. Or, perhaps dealer added second key before selling it to you.

When you try to program more than 4 key fobs, the display will read "Maximum Key Fobs Programmed"

 

[Clippy_Zs]

When you try to program more than 4 key fobs, the display will read "Maximum Key Fobs Programmed"

Well, that throws my theory out.

 

[DeusEx]

I think the silver back ones are from the ICE keyfob. eBay vendors were selling the frunk modified ones with that for a while before they came out with ones that had the Mach-E mustang back.

Here's a tip I found from someone who tried to program their keyfob and was adding an extra step causing the programming error.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/programming-new-mach-e-keyfob-for-frunk.29301/post-665642

Short of having someone record and watch what steps you're performing, I'm stumped on what else it could be.

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