ELECTRICAL—REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE)— Article No.

SERVICE TIPS 03-18-1

FORD: 1993-1997 PROBE, THUNDERBIRD

1993-2004 CROWN VICTORIA, TAURUS
1994-2004 MUSTANG
1995-2000 CONTOUR
1997-2002 ESCORT
2000-2004 ESCORT ZX2, FOCUS
2002-2004 THUNDERBIRD
1992-2004 E SERIES
1993-2004 EXPLORER
1994-1996 BRONCO
1994-2003 WINDSTAR
1995-2004 RANGER
1997-2004 EXPEDITION, F SUPER DUTY
2000-2003 EXPLORER SPORT
2000-2004 ESCAPE, EXCURSION
2001-2004 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC
2004 FREESTAR
1994-2004 F SERIES
LINCOLN: 1992-2002 CONTINENTAL
1993-1998 MARK VIII
1993-2004 TOWN CAR
2000-2004 LS
1998-2004 NAVIGATOR
2002-2003 BLACKWOOD
2003-2004 AVIATOR
MERCURY: 1993-1997 COUGAR
1993-2004 GRAND MARQUIS, SABLE
1995-2000 MYSTIQUE
1997-1999 TRACER
1999-2002 COUGAR
1997-2004 MOUNTAINEER

ISSUE SERVICE TIPS

This article offers clarification on the most common Remote Entry System Diagnosis
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) conditions
encountered during service. 1. Electronically unlock the vehicle (i.e., using the
transmitter, keypad or power lock switch on the
ACTION door) prior to attempting to diagnose the vehicle
Refer to the following Service Tips to aid in via Service Tools or entering Remote Entry
diagnosing common RKE conditions. System Programming Mode. Most newer model
year systems (2002 and beyond) require this
action before function is operational.

NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do
the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper
vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers”. Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a
Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle.

Copyright  2003 Ford Motor Company PAGE 1

 Article No. 03-18-1 Cont’d.

2. If extreme poor range performance is c. Ensure there are no aftermarket systems on

experienced: the vehicle. Examples: Remote Start,
Perimeter Alarm, Charging Cell Phones,
a. DO NOT change batteries on Remote Entry Charging Coolers, etc ) If so, please note
transmitters (Range does not change as this fact on repair claim for easy
battery ages). identification. Disconnect aftermarket system
b. DO NOT replace or reprogram Remote and check OEM system for normal
Entry transmitters (Range is determined operation.
primarily by the receiver) If only one of the d. Continue with normal repair procedures.
transmitters experience poor range, but not
all, then it is OK to replace the bad 4. If the RF device (transmitter or wireless
transmitter and reprogram ALL transmitters keypad) requires a battery replacement, there is
back to vehicle. NO need to reprogram the device back to the
vehicle.
c. Verify external antenna is connected (if
applicable). 5. If any one button, yet not all buttons on the
Remote Entry device operates, there is NO
d. Ensure the poor performance is not only in need to reprogram the device back to vehicle.
certain locations. Examples; by radio Follow normal repair procedures for inoperative
stations or TV transmitting towers, power function.
generators, etc.
6. Be aware that before entering Remote Entry
e. Ensure no other aftermarket/dealer installed program mode:
devices are mounted on vehicle (especially
systems operating at same frequency, a. First electronically Unlock the vehicle.
315MHz). If aftermarket/dealer installed
systems are present, disconnect them and b. Have ALL RF devices (transmitters /
check FMC OEM system for proper wireless keypads) present at the time of
operation. entering procedure. Most Remote Entry
systems only allow up to 4 devices. Thus, if
f. Ensure poor performance is consistent in these other RF devices (wireless keypads)
nature and not just from one approaching are added, it should be noted that the
angle from or to the vehicle. number of locations to store extra
transmitters will be reduced. Inform the
g. Poor performance is most likely the cause customer of this.
of a remote entry receiver, not a remote
entry transmitter issue. c. Ensure no other vehicles within 50 meters
of a vehicle entering program mode are
3. If there are other functional issues with the attempting to enter program mode also or
Remote Entry system: are activating any RF functions (transmitters
a. First determine if the Remote Entry system / wireless keypad). This could cause cross
is OEM or aftermarket (dealer installed programming, mis-programming or loss of
systems with Ford Logo are still considered programmed transmitters/wireless keypads
aftermarket). Please note this fact in repair from memory.
claim. d. Recall that once the first RF device is
b. Ensure correct Remote Entry devices programmed to the vehicle, ALL other
(transmitters, keypad) are used with vehicle. devices stored in memory get erased using
This can be verified via part number or RKE the manual key cycling method to enter
Job Aid which can be viewed from the PTS program mode. If service tools are used to
or QCdealer websites. Even if the part has enter program mode (on vehicles equipped
a Ford Logo, ensure it is one pictured on with feature), the technician has the
the on Job Aid. If not listed on RKE Job Aid opportunity to add just one
then it is an aftermarket or dealer installed transmitter/wireless keypad to memory
device and should be diagnosed and binned without erasing all others.
accordingly.

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 Article No. 03-18-1 Cont’d.

e. Verify how many devices are actually stored 9. If the vehicle is experiencing issues with the
in memory before entering this procedure. Keys or Passive Anti-Theft System (aka
This can be accomplished via diagnostic SecuriLock), these issues should be binned
tools. If you do not receive ALL devices that to:
are currently programmed to vehicle from
customer at time of repair, inform the a. L23 for keys
customer that when the devices provided b. -15607- or L14 for PATS transceiver
are reprogrammed to vehicle none of the
other devices left at home will operate the c. L14 for PATS control
vehicle any longer. They should be referred
back to their Owner’s Guides for the manual 10. If customers complain of inadvertent activations,
programming procedure to reprogram ALL determine if the following is the cause:
their devices to the vehicle again on their a. Ask customer if they programmed their
own. This should eliminate repeat repairs in transmitters to other family vehicles. If so,
the future. inform them if a transmitter is activated
f. If all Remote Entry devices are not provided within 50 meters of both vehicles, it will
at time of repair, entrance into program perform the function on both vehicles. (Also,
mode via service tools is preferred over the note that a trunk release button on one
manual programming procedure (if equipped vehicle may be a liftgate glass release
on vehicle). Diagnostic programming allows function on another vehicle).
individual RF devices to be added or it can b. For Liftgate Glass release activations, check
be used to replace specific devices currently OASIS to determine if there are any
in memory and does NOT have to erase applicable SSM or TSBs. Some 2002-2003
ALL devices currently stored in memory Explorer 4DR, Mountaineer and Aviator
which would render those left at home vehicles built prior to 04/04/2003, may
inoperative. exhibit backglass rattle/noise or high effort
g. Be aware of difficulty of cycling the ignition when closing. Due to this issue, one may
between OFF and RUN on some manual find that while driving down the road or
transmission vehicles due to the ignition lock when parked, their liftgate glass is ajar. For
feature. It may be easier (if applicable) to these vehicles, first make sure the glass is
cycle the ignition from OFF to ACC, rather closed with enough force to fully latch.
than RUN (example, older Crown Vic/Grand NOTE: Allowing the glass to fall on its own
Marquis) is not sufficient force for proper closure. The
condition may also be due to tolerance
7. Be aware on older Model Year Town Car and stack-up between the backglass to body
Crown Vic/Grand Marquis Vehicles, there is a dimensions and latch position. To service
higher chance of inadvertently entering program Explorer 4DR and Mountaineer, first remove
mode by only cycling the ignition from OFF to the backglass latch assembly. Second, drill
RUN two times by accidentally bypassing OFF the body side latch mounting bolt hole 2mm
and going all they way to ACC. If the larger (from 7mm to 9mm diameter, or
customers complain their door locks cycled 23/64″). Additionally, for Aviator, replace the
intermittently or their transmitters no longer backglass overslam bumpers with revised
work, it could mean they entered program part number W708031-S300. NOTE:
mode inadvertently at some time. Transmitters Replacement of the latch is not necessary.
that no longer work with vehicle can be easily
determined if they are still programmed to the 11. CrownVic/Grand Marquis vehicles do not have
vehicle via diagnostic tools (Function Mode). feedback implemented to mark the ending of
transmitter programming, the ignition key must
8. Refer to the Remote Entry Job Aid located on be turned to OFF and there must be a 10-20
PTS and QCDealer websites or the 2 laminated second wait to get out of programming mode. If
versions sent to each dealership for appropriate the recently programmed transmitter(s) is tested
programming procedures and transmitters to be before this time out expires, it may not work
used for every Model Year vehicle. and technician may think it did not program at
all

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Keyless Entry System (Wired or Wireless) a. When transmitters are initially programmed
to vehicle, the first transmitter will
1. If issues are experienced with Keyless Entry automatically recall memory position #1. The
keypad operation (located on driver door): second transmitter programmed will
a. Look for any signs of water intrusion. automatically recall memory position #2.
Remember, transmitters no longer have #1
b. Look for proper wiring connections/connector and #2 labels on them and the customer
seating. should be told which transmitter was the
first and second to be programmed. Or at
c. Check for proper keypad backlighting by least inform the customer how their system
pressing a button to verify the light turns on. operates so there is no confusion. The
d. Most vehicles equipped with a keypad transmitters cannot be disassociated with
incorporate a security feature called this implementation. (Example Windstar).
Anti-scan mode. Inform customer they have b. When the transmitters are programmed to
7 attempts at inputting a valid keycode vehicle, no automatic association to the
before the keypad will be locked out for one memory seat/mirror/pedal/steering column
minute. (Only the lock function operates positions will occur until set by the dealer or
while in this mode). This one minute customer. The association of transmitters to
anti-scan mode is indicated by the keypad the vehicle can be accomplished by
light flashing rapidly. pressing the Set button, followed by a
2. On 2004 Heavy Duty F-Series repairs, note that button activation from the transmitter,
the vehicle is released with a new wireless followed by the memory position (1 or 2) the
keypad (RF). If the wireless keypad or any customer wishes to have it set to. The
remote transmitter requires programming, ALL transmitters in this scenario can be
devices must be present and programmed disassociated if the customer wishes by
during the same programming procedure. pressing the Set memory switch, any button
Wireless keypad repairs must not be binned to on the keyfob/transmitter and the Set
the remote transmitter part number (15K601). memory switch again. (Example Town Car
and LS).
3. If the RF device (transmitter or wireless
keypad) requires a battery replacement, there is c. The third personality implementation is just
NO need to reprogram the device back to like “b” except the transmitters are
vehicle. associated to the vehicle when initially
programmed. However, the customer or
Remote Entry or Other feature operation dealer may change those settings following
the steps laid out in “b”. Again, with this
1. Many questions have been raised about the implementation, the transmitters may be
RKE system and the Memory Seat feature disassociated from the vehicle.
association. The following information is here to
explain the 3 different versions of “personality” . 2. Most (2001 & newer) vehicles equipped with
Refer to these methods used to associate Remote Entry, now allow Lock and Unlock
transmitters to memory functions to operate with the ignition on.
seat/mirrors/pedal/steering column positions: However, flashing of exterior lights or sounding
(chirps) of horn will not operate with the key
turned to RUN or START.

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3. On some 2001 and beyond vehicles, there is a

feature called Power Door Lock Disable which
becomes active 20 seconds after the vehicle is
electronically locked. The feature disables the
interior power door lock switches. This feature
is used to prevent access into the vehicle if a
moonroof or window is open and someone
attempts to place a stick through the window to
unlock the vehicle via the interior trim switch.
The interior power door lock switches become
operational again once the vehicle is
electronically unlocked or a door becomes ajar.
If the customer complains of intermittent interior
power door lock functionality check to see if
this feature is configured ON. If so, inform the
customer of this feature and that it can be
disabled if the customer wishes to change the
configuration (refer to Owner’s Guide). If not,
pursue normal diagnosis.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 112000

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