PAAK issues: What happened to the second Bluetooth connection?

[06VistaGT]

I have had my Mach E for 4+ months now. For the first month, there was a connectivity issue that prevented me from activating the car in Fordpass. The dealer had to reprogram (replace?) a modem to fix that problem.

For maybe 6 weeks after that, PAAK worked very well. Maybe once or twice a week, it would get unresponsive and I would have to open Fordpass to get it to wake up. The rest of the time, it worked just like a FOB. Phone in pocket, walk up and puddle lights come on. Tailgate worked with a simple kick. Walk away lock always worked. Things were great.

At some point, PAAK got flaky on me. My recollection is it gradually decreased in reliability. Now, it only works when I have my phone unlocked, Fordpass open and active. It then takes a minute to connect and will work. The second my phone screen goes black or I change apps, it disconnects. I have to start the car immediately after entering or it gives me the "no key found" warning and locks the doors (with me in the driver's seat!). Put it in park when at a drive thru or mailbox, and have yo open the phone and start the process again to go. The walk away lock no longer works unless I open PAAK and then nearly run away from the car.

The strange thing is that when it worked previously, I had two Bluetooth connections. One said "Mach E" and the other was the last 5 digits of my VIN. Ever since my issues started, the second Bluetooth connection is gone. I have no idea how to get it back. I have updated Fordpass evrytime a new version comes out, but have not brought the car in for the PAAK service bulletin.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Fyi, wireless AA works flawlessly. My phone is a Samsung Galaxy S10.

Sponsored

 

[benk016]

I've only seen people have the 2nd Bluetooth connection on iPhones. I've never had the 2nd one on my Galaxy S21. Just the media connection. The FordPass app directly controls Bluetooth connection for PAAK.

 

[eltonlin]

You will want the numerical BT connection to work as that is the one that is critical for PaaK.

I recommend you reset. First delete the keys from your phone via the app. Then perform a PaaK reset via the sync system. Also if you see the two BT devices on your phone, remove them as well.

from there, you should be able to access the “setup PaaK” in the FordPass app.

 

[mpshizzle]

I second what @benk016 said. The second BT connection is not visible on Android. You can only see it on iphone.

Even if you don't see it, it is there. Your Paak wouldn't work at all ever if it wasn't there.

That being said my guess is that your trouble is coming from battery management on your phone. Probably putting your Ford pass app to sleep. My recommendations are
1) make sure your phone's power save mode isn't turned on
2) turn off "optimization" for the Ford pass app in your system settings

 

[BMT1071]

I second what @benk016 said. The second BT connection is not visible on Android. You can only see it on iphone.

Even if you don't see it, it is there. Your Paak wouldn't work at all ever if it wasn't there.

That being said my guess is that your trouble is coming from battery management on your phone. Probably putting your Ford pass app to sleep. My recommendations are
1) make sure your phone's power save mode isn't turned on
2) turn off "optimization" for the Ford pass app in your system settings

I see two MME items in my BT device list. Samsung Galaxy Note 8.

 

[benk016]

I see two MME items in my BT device list. Samsung Galaxy Note 8.

Do you see that all the time? And do you ever see it actually connect?

Curious if maybe it adds it to the list when you're close enough and fordpass connects. AndroidAuto works that way. The wifi network doesn't show up in known wifi connections, but when you get in the car, it adds it automatically and then removes it when it disconnects.

 

[BMT1071]

Do you see that all the time? And do you ever see it actually connect?

Curious if maybe it adds it to the list when you're close enough and fordpass connects. AndroidAuto works that way. The wifi network doesn't show up in known wifi connections, but when you get in the car, it adds it automatically and then removes it when it disconnects.

I'm about 500 miles away from my car right now.

 

[benk016]

I'm about 500 miles away from my car right now.

Interesting. I've never had that 2nd one. Are you on Android 11?

 

[gafear]

I also have two BT connections (Samsung S21)

 

[Rjm]

My iphone 12 seems to be working OK as a key, but I can't find any of the info mentioned above on my Fordpass app. When I'm away from the Mach e the Fordpass app does say bluetooth is disconnected. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.

 

[BMT1071]

Interesting. I've never had that 2nd one. Are you on Android 11?

I have Android 9. That's where Samsung left me. ?

 

[RickMachE]

Before we uninstalled PAAK, we had 2 connections with Pixel 4A phones and Android 11.

 

[benk016]

My car is at the dealer now getting the PAAK update done. Curious if it will change how BT connects after that. Mine was built in December so it has some of the earliest software versions on it.

 

[06VistaGT]

I appreciate all the input. I am currently on Android 11, though not sure when I upgraded, and still only see the one BT connection. It definitely showed both previously, and not just when I was in the vicinity of the car.

Fingers crossed, but it looks like I have made an improvement to PAAK functionality by following the suggestions of @mpshizzle. While Power Saver mode was not on, I did uncover that FordPass did have "Optimize battery usage" selected. So I toggled that to "Not optimized".

Now, after opening FordPass once, the little key icon across the top of my screen remains even when I navigate away from Fordpass or when the phone screen goes dark. The car didn't unlock when I approached, but did let me open the door and start it without the dreaded "No key detected" warning. So it seems to be working better.

On the downside, battery drain is up and Fordpass is the main culprit. But I can manage that now that I know.

I will report back on functionality as I see/learn more. I hope others are able to benefit from this thread. Many thanks to @mpshizzle and the others who have offered advice.

 

[mpshizzle]

Now, after opening FordPass once, the little key icon across the top of my screen remains even when I navigate away from Fordpass or when the phone screen goes dark.

If this annoys you like it annoyed me you can turn this off in the notification settings. Paak still works fine but it at least hides the constant stuck notification.

Sponsored