PAAK users be forewarned

[RickMachE]

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.

I got a chuckle out of this. "That system" is the dumb human that can't remember to zip a pocket. Been skiing for over 50 years. My jacket has an inner removable liner. It has pockets, but not made to access when you have the liner in the jacket. So, I use those for my keys so they are impossible to lose while skiing. I also put my valuables in one pocket, and nothing else - no tissues, no ski lock, no chapstick, trailmap, nothing. That way it's only opened when I'm spending money.

As to trusting PaaK, there are a good half dozen or more threads here of people that trusted it, and learned that was a mistake. I use it, but always carry a fob. What worked - PaaK or fob - on each trip, I have no idea. The only time I am fobless is when I go in the garage for something out of the vehicle and forget the fob - and then realize that my phone is set for the other vehicle, and I have to switch it over and then wait for it to connect - or go get the fob, or use the number pad.

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[HuntingPudel]

<SNIP>
As to trusting PaaK, there are a good half dozen or more threads here of people that trusted it, and learned that was a mistake. I use it, but always carry a fob. What worked - PaaK or fob - on each trip, I have no idea. The only time I am fobless is when I go in the garage for something out of the vehicle and forget the fob - and then realize that my phone is set for the other vehicle, and I have to switch it over and then wait for it to connect - or go get the fob, or use the number pad.

Due to the posts about PaaK not working well I was in the “I am always going to use the key” camp when I got my 2021. Since Ford fixed their dumb server side issue with perfectly legal email addresses not working for some parts of FordPass and working on other parts, I have used PaaK 100% of the time and have only had minor inconveniences with it (occasional slow recognition of my phone a few phone not detected messages that self cleared). Zero major issues.

That said, I always bring a batteryless key with me on a trip out of the local area, just in case of a breakdown. I keep the battery in a bag in case I need to leave the car with a dealer.

 

[JeffGo]

I do the same thing as the OP. I have basically given up on the "backup password". The added benefit of having the key fob in the faraday bag is when I took it in for service and forgot that I needed a key.

 

[Nikos]

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.

There was an update lately that when finished I had to reset the backup code. I even showed my wife how to do it.
Also, whatever the update did, it required that you have your key fob with you during the reset.
Wondering if it is the same issue you encountered.

 

[slider162]

The app itself has been useless the last couple of days.

 

[nzwayne]

The app itself has been useless the last couple of days.

As an iPhone 14 user, I go to the App Store and search on FordPass & Lincoln Way, to check if there is an update for them. Currently both V5.25. For some reason there two apps don't get quickly updated in the automatic update process of the App Store (which is usually every couple of days for me) but will update in about a week of release.

 

[WallyS56]

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.

I, too, keep a Faraday pouch with a key fob in the car for just such events- have never had to use the passcode.

 

[fkyct]

Primary is PaaK

order of backuos;
next is Door Keypad if phone proximity doesn’t unlock
next is Ford Pass on iphone to unlock doors
next is Apple Watch fordpass app to unlock doors
next is passcode to start the vehicle
if passcode or phone refuses to start then go to FOB in faraday bag locked in center console vault.

 

[slider162]

As an iPhone 14 user, I go to the App Store and search on FordPass & Lincoln Way, to check if there is an update for them. Currently both V5.25. For some reason there two apps don't get quickly updated in the automatic update process of the App Store (which is usually every couple of days for me) but will update in about a week of release.

Wow, good call! I updated from the app store and it started working again.

 

[raijinmach]

Aren't there Faraday boxes with a lock? It seems like that would be a good solution

 

[Blitzen]

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.

Realize any car can lose the programming of the key fob too. That happened in my previous F vehicle and as required by Murphy, at a very inconvenient time. If we just didn't have any car thieves, we wouldn't have needed this stuff.

 

[creedda]

Primary is PaaK

order of backuos;
next is Door Keypad if phone proximity doesn’t unlock
next is Ford Pass on iphone to unlock doors
next is Apple Watch fordpass app to unlock doors
next is passcode to start the vehicle
if passcode or phone refuses to start then go to FOB in faraday bag locked in center console vault.

FYI I believe the apple watch app is reliant on the iphone app to function. So the apple watch app cannot be a backup to the iphone app.

Just so you know...

 

[Ashman661]

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.

My door code done this, just gone

 

[devmach-e]

Realize any car can lose the programming of the key fob too. That happened in my previous F vehicle and as required by Murphy, at a very inconvenient time. If we just didn't have any car thieves, we wouldn't have needed this stuff.

In the 20+ years I've been using keyfobs (7 different vehicles), the number of times where the car forgot the keyfob is a big fat 0. I've had the keyfob battery go dead and had to use the physical key to get into the car, and then place the keyfob in a special place to start the car. My 2017 Bolt had a problem where it suddenly couldn't detect the keyfob. Keyfob had a good battery in it. The Bolt just went deaf, which someone might interpret as forgetting the programming. So I'd just put it in the console, like I would for other cars, and the car would start up, and the next time the car detected it fine. But never did it forget the programming.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Realize any car can lose the programming of the key fob too. That happened in my previous F vehicle and as required by Murphy, at a very inconvenient time. If we just didn't have any car thieves, we wouldn't have needed this stuff.

Cars don’t just lose key fob programming, I’ve never heard of that happening. If your fob stops working, it’s most likely a battery related issue. Or there was a deliberate action that removed the programming of that key (such as by a dealer or locksmith). Last, it’s possible the key itself was damaged.

My door code done this, just gone

The factory key code will always work. It’s possible you deleted a custom door code by accident when clearing a saved phone key.

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