Help Lost key fob while driving

[charlenew1977]

Hi, I deliver mail in my 2018 Expedition Max. A couple weeks ago I lost my key Fob while driving. It was in my pocket, and I guess fell out inside the vehicle. I delivered one package out my passenger window. Then got out to deliver to a few boxes in a row. The vehicle honked as of I took the key with me. I thought it was still in my pocket. I got back in and it said no key detected. I looked everywhere outside, the vehicle was all running but wouldn’t go into gear because it couldn’t find the key.

I had a friend bring me my spare key. I’ve looked under and around all the seats, under the mats, etc. The Fob has to be somewhere inside the vehicle. The driver-side doors unlock now by just pulling the handle without the spare key near it.

I spoke to my salesperson and they said that there are several hiding places in the Expeditions and it’s not unheard of. I managed to pull up the cup holder part of my console to look under there but didn’t find it.

Any suggestions??? I’m thinking I will have to get a replacement, but now the problem also is the car can just be unlocked by pulling on either for on the driver side.

 

[byathread]

That's fun.

Depending on drivers seat position, that crack between seat and side of console is an abyss for certain items. Lost a few things on both sides so far, but never the key as it always goes in cup holder. Apparently sometimes the gap on top of the wireless charger door, if closed, is big enough on some of these that it can eat a sliding iPhone. Never know, might be back there.

Keep us posted, this situation would drive me nuts!

 

[charlenew1977]

I’ve looked in the crack between the seats and console. I’m trying to remove the main part of the console now. I popped up the section w the cup holders under the gear and drive controls and it wasn’t there.

Yes, it’s driving me crazy!!! How is it possible to drive w the key with you and then it vanish and can’t be found to drive....but driver side doors will unlock by pulling them from the outside.

 

[Vipersinu2]

I dont understand,

if the key was lost in the car, you would not have an issue. it would still start. And run.

I will test. I will put a key in the back hatch area and see if trucks starts.

 

[Vipersinu2]

your key is not in the truck.

I just started my truck with the fob in the back near the tailgate

Started with no issue

 

[charlenew1977]

Yeah you would think that. I know I was driving it w the key when I left the post office. It wasn’t dropped anywhere. I’m wondering if it somehow is underneath the center console or inside the seat.

It was still running when I lost it. Wouldn’t go into gear and said no key found.

When the doors are locked you can walk up to the driver side and just pull either door handle and it unlocks. Doesn’t do this on passenger side.

 

[Eyecando]

If the horn honks twice when you try to lock it with another key fob, that means the fob is inside the vehicle. If a key fob is not near the driver's seat, the vehicle can't be started.

 

[wakeboarder]

Hi, I deliver mail in my 2018 Expedition Max. A couple weeks ago I lost my key Fob while driving. It was in my pocket, and I guess fell out inside the vehicle. I delivered one package out my passenger window. Then got out to deliver to a few boxes in a row. The vehicle honked as of I took the key with me. I thought it was still in my pocket. I got back in and it said no key detected. I looked everywhere outside, the vehicle was all running but wouldn’t go into gear because it couldn’t find the key.

I had a friend bring me my spare key. I’ve looked under and around all the seats, under the mats, etc. The Fob has to be somewhere inside the vehicle. The driver-side doors unlock now by just pulling the handle without the spare key near it.

I spoke to my salesperson and they said that there are several hiding places in the Expeditions and it’s not unheard of. I managed to pull up the cup holder part of my console to look under there but didn’t find it.

Any suggestions??? I’m thinking I will have to get a replacement, but now the problem also is the car can just be unlocked by pulling on either for on the driver side.

Maybe the drivers door pockets? If it inside the car it is somewhere near the outer edge or it would start and go in gear. Is it possible for the key to have been caught in the running boards, roof rack, under the hood, or cowling near the drivers door? I think the car still starts even with the key in the very back if it is actually inside the car.

 

[Vipersinu2]

If the horn beeped when u left,
That was that truck telling u, that you took the key out of the truck with you.

Seems like you lost the key fob somewhere

 

[sjwhiteley]

I would concur with the other posters: the double honk means the key left the vehicle while it was running. If it says key not detected, then the key is not in the vehicle.

(I did some tests with the key in various locations of the vehicle, including under the seat, and it started just fine).

 

[Matthew Abrams]

So the vehicle honked indicating that the keys were OUTSIDE the vehicle, but you can still unlock the doors by pulling the handle? That means the key is within the proximity of the car.

As someone else mentioned, look in the running boards, below the windshield wipers, etc. It must be somewhere there in order for the doors to unlock.

 

[Plati]

I knew a girl who "lost" her car keys at a bar. People went crazy looking for them and there was a big rumble with the Bouncer over this. About an hour later turns out they were in her pocket in a reversible coat that she was wearing the whole time.

If you're looking for them, get another person to look. You will just keep checking the same spots over and over again. Need a fresh mind on this.

 

[Matthew Abrams]

I knew a girl who "lost" her car keys at a bar. People went crazy looking for them and there was a big rumble with the Bouncer over this. About an hour later turns out they were in her pocket in a reversible coat that she was wearing the whole time.

If you're looking for them, get another person to look. You will just keep checking the same spots over and over again. Need a fresh mind on this.

Great advice! I was going to ask if he checked his pockets, but that wouldn't have explained it not starting. The "fresh eyes" approach typically works

 

[st381183]

Check the mail bins in the truck and mail bags in the truck as well. May have fallen out in a bin then had another bin stacked on top.

 

[Vipersinu2]

I remember reading poster saying "NO Key Detected"

Surely the fob is not in or near the truck.

I alway leave my fob in the truck and lock the doors, when I have to run into a store. The wife and kids are locked in and truck is running.

I press the last 2 button at the same time on the door keycode.

If I leave with the fob. I GET the horn beep

 

[Vipersinu2]

I put the key fob outside, 1 foot away from the truck.

No key detected.

When I grab the handel the doors do unlock.

Sounds like the key may have fallen out of the truck and is near the truck.

Check all around the truck
Look up on the roof and inside the hatch all around the rubber

 

[Dice Roll]

If this has the power running boards I’m going to guess it’s wedged in there someplace so you can get a door open but not start it.

 

[Wayne Decker]

Here's what happened to me (I posted it in another thread a while back):

Got to a small local store, put the key in my pocket, went in the store for maybe five minutes. Got back in the car, it said "no key detected". I figured I dropped the key somewhere so I retraced my steps, repeatedly. I couldn't find the key. I only went maybe 150 yards total in the lot and in the store. I used a spare to get home. I posted lost key signs and looked again to no avail. So I bought a $300 replacement key. A week or so after that I put the pants I wore to the store back on. There was the key- but not in the pocket I usually use. It was in a side pocket thigh pocket (like on cargo pants). It worked just fine. It's still a mystery. All can think of is that the key was somehow out of range being in that lower pocket. But I couldn't replicate it.

Like I said, it's a mystery.

 

[Uturn]

There are blind spots in the vehicle where it will bring up a "No Key Detected", this may be more apt to happen with a low battery. I always suggest buying a spare key while you have both originals. By doing so you can buy a key online cheaper than the dealer and program a new key yourself. If you then lose a key you can always add another one. Once you are in a position where you have only one key it gets expensive.

 

[grumpyoleman]

The first week we owned our Expy, we parked by the front doors of a Cell phone store. When we went to leave we got the "No Key Detected". I had the stupid key in my hand. used the emergency method (in owners manual) got it started and drove straight to dealership. they replaced the battery in the fob but said that there are some stores that broadcast a signal for doors or something that in essence jams the fob. I thought it was a load of bologna so drove back, parked in the same place and sure enough happened again. I have since found one other location in town that same thing happens every time I park there.

Door works and lets me in but car won't start.