PAAK users be forewarned

[Chuck]

Hey,

I've been a PAAK user for 4.5 years on my Mach E and love it. My keyfob sits in the drawer. I have also set up my personal door entry code and the password to start the car when PAAK doesn't work for some reason. I've only had to use the backup password a few times but only because I was in a hurry. I know that 99.99% of the time that rebooting my phone (a Galaxy S22 Ultra) will solve any PAAK issues, but entering the password is faster.

I'm probably in a minority here but I religiously test the backup password once a month. I spent decades in IT and I know that testing backup methods is critical to success. Well, I got a big shock last month when I tested the backup password. I couldn't even test it. I got the usual "no key found" message but it never prompted for the password. Nothing, nada, bupkis. It turns out that the password was just gone. Vanished. I don't know why but some kind of glitch in the software eliminated the password. I made no changes that I can recall. In fact, I've hardly gone into the setting screen in the last 4.5 years.

I re-set up the password but no longer have faith that it will be there when I need it. I've since hidden a keyfob in a Faraday bag inside the car. I don't like this solution but I have no other ideas. So, be forewarned. Test frequently and see if this has happened to you.

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[music_cities]

Thanks for the reminder. It still worked, although it seemed to take a very long time (a minute?) to prompt for the password. Do you set a monthly calendar reminder for this, or do you have a monthly task list of things to do on the 1st of the month? I change my blade on my razor on the 1st of the month, so perhaps I could plan to change my razorblade while sitting in the car.

 

[AliRafiee]

I ran into that a couple of days ago when I tried to start the car with my phone in the house. I was annoyed.
I have to check to see if my password is gone too.

 

[awp0]

This happened to me once, and yeah, it doesn't inspire confidence.

My phone had died while I was in a restaurant. Got back to the car, used the door code to enter the car, but the password prompt never presented (tried everything, pressed button, foot on brake, everything). Thankfully I was able to charge up my phone enough while sitting in the car, and then it was recognized. But yeah, if I had lost my phone then this would have been a bigger problem.

 

[EasyPass]

After a 30 year career in IT I always subscribe to the maxim:
Backups are only as good as the Restore.

 

[Ravensfan1996]

My issue has been the keyboard doesn’t show up when prompt for the password. Luckily i was at home so wasnt an issue. It’s happened twice now. My PAAK works but I always bring my fob as nothing is 100%. The keyboard not showing up was resolved by resetting up PAAK again.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Press the brake pedal, cycle the ignition and/or tap the password field if things aren’t showing up correctly. Worst case exit, then try again in 5 minutes. I’ve had it not show up initially a couple times, but messing with it gets it to appear.

 

[ChrisO]

After a 30 year career in IT I always subscribe to the maxim:
Backups are only as good as the Restore.

Which 99.9% of the users never test.

 

[jmcbrew]

Did you try to reboot the infotainment system? Not sure if this would be any more effective than cycling the power… but I know that I need to reboot my infotainment system 2-3 times per month when it either locks up or stops connecting to CarPlay.

 

[Chuck]

Did you try to reboot the infotainment system? Not sure if this would be any more effective than cycling the power… but I know that I need to reboot my infotainment system 2-3 times per month when it either locks up or stops connecting to CarPlay.

I didn't try that but I'll give it a shot next time. In 4.5 years I've only rebooted the Infotainment system 1 time and it was because I was curious to see how it was done. I've never had an issue with Android Auto connecting.

 

[azulejost]

There’s always the old school method of just carrying the key fob and not relying on known unreliable software. Never have I used the keypad or backup start password as the fob has been 100% reliable.

 

[Chuck]

There’s always the old school method of just carrying the key fob and not relying on known unreliable software. Never have I used the keypad or backup start password as the fob has been 100% reliable.

100%???

If you haven't setup the door pad number and backup passcode then you'll be in a world of hurt when you lose the keyfob or the battery in the keyfob dies.

 

[music_cities]

There’s always the old school method of just carrying the key fob and not relying on known unreliable software. Never have I used the keypad or backup start password as the fob has been 100% reliable.

Keyfob system is definitely not reliable. Like for example if you put it in your ski jacket pocket and forget to zip up the pocket and then you fall while skiing.

After too many close calls I decided not to rely on that system, and regularly test the other two systems. Belt and suspenders. And duct tape.

 

[ipca204]

Keyfob system is definitely not reliable. Like for example if you put it in your ski jacket pocket and forget to zip up the pocket and then you fall while skiing.

After too many close calls I decided not to rely on that system, and regularly test the other two systems. Belt and suspenders. And duct tape.

LOL! Your stupidity does not make the keyfob "not reliable"...

 

[azulejost]

100%???

If you haven't setup the door pad number and backup passcode then you'll be in a world of hurt when you lose the keyfob or the battery in the keyfob dies.

Oh I have door code, backup passcode, and—after 1 month in the shop to get it fixed—FordPass set up and available. But given the problems I’ve had and read about others having, it will take dramatic advances in the systems’ reliability for me to stop carrying the key fob 100% of the time.

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