How to unlock 2018 Expedition with a key?

[Fordalways]

It's time for me to retire my '02 Expedition and I put in an order for a new one. The local dealer has a couple vanilla ones on the lot and I took one for a test drive the other day. The front seats really feel great and this is a huge change after driving that '02 since I bought it right after 9-11 in '01.

The question I had the dealership couldn't answer yet and I looked at the pdf of the owner's manual on-line and didn't see the answer. If the battery dies, how the heck do you unlock this thing to at least open the hood to get a jump start or replace the battery? The touch pad and the fob won't work because of the battery. Other cars on the lot have some sort of removable cover to expose the key slot, but I and the dealer looked for some way and it isn't apparent. The door handle is completely smooth. I assume the cover comes off somehow without messing up the paint. The fob does have a key inside of it, so presumably, there must be a way. Has anyone with an '18 looked at this?

 

[aggiegrad05]

It's time for me to retire my '02 Expedition and I put in an order for a new one. The local dealer has a couple vanilla ones on the lot and I took one for a test drive the other day. The front seats really feel great and this is a huge change after driving that '02 since I bought it right after 9-11 in '01.

The question I had the dealership couldn't answer yet and I looked at the pdf of the owner's manual on-line and didn't see the answer. If the battery dies, how the heck do you unlock this thing to at least open the hood to get a jump start or replace the battery? The touch pad and the fob won't work because of the battery. Other cars on the lot have some sort of removable cover to expose the key slot, but I and the dealer looked for some way and it isn't apparent. The door handle is completely smooth. I assume the cover comes off somehow without messing up the paint. The fob does have a key inside of it, so presumably, there must be a way. Has anyone with an '18 looked at this?

Using the Key Blade
The key cylinder is under the driver side door handle. To access the cylinder:

1. Pull the handle and hold it.

1. While holding the handle outward, identify the cylinder and insert the key blade into the slot.

1. Actuate the cylinder to unlock or lock the door.

In other words, I think it is just "revealed" when you pull the door handle.

 

[Flexpedition]

^^ That'll do it.

Short story somewhat related, might help somebody someday - Parked at the airport a few years ago in an F150. Locked keys inside like normal and returned days later to a dead battery. Coworker was on the same flight, parked nearby and he determined he could momentarily place a jumper wire from his truck to one of my 7-pin trailer connectors while I dialed the door keypad to unlock the doors. The outlet cover showed which pin was constant 12V, which normally charges your trailer battery while towing. Its the pin at about the 1:00 position. Once the doors unlocked he pulled the jumper off. I was then able to pop the hood and do a conventional jump start.

 

[Artie]

^^ That'll do it.

Short story somewhat related, might help somebody someday - Parked at the airport a few years ago in an F150. Locked keys inside like normal and returned days later to a dead battery. Coworker was on the same flight, parked nearby and he determined he could momentarily place a jumper wire from his truck to one of my 7-pin trailer connectors while I dialed the door keypad to unlock the doors. The outlet cover showed which pin was constant 12V, which normally charges your trailer battery while towing. Its the pin at about the 1:00 position. Once the doors unlocked he pulled the jumper off. I was then able to pop the hood and do a conventional jump start.

That is very good to know, thanks.

 

[gtnator]

...or, just don't let you're battery die, lol. Seriously, I haven't had a battery die in over 20 years. Cars and batteries are better now, but I don't keep my cars more than 10 yrs max, usually less. But I understand that owning a car that’s 10+ years old has its risks, battery being one of them. Maybe when I’m less busy and have more time I’ll keep/buy older cars [emoji4].

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

...or, just don't let you're battery die, lol. Seriously, I haven't had a battery die in over 20 years. Cars and batteries are better now, but I don't keep my cars more than 10 yrs max, usually less.

My daughter's 2007 Fusion had the battery die on Christmas day. She went to clear the snow off if it and it wouldn't start. We bought the car about 2-1/2 years ago. It turns out the battery was 7 years 9 months old. She was on borrowed time the whole time she has owned it.

 

[WoodrowUSMC]

Flexpedition,
Great tip! Thanks for sharing.

 

[edizzle]

...or, just don't let you're battery die, lol. Seriously, I haven't had a battery die in over 20 years. Cars and batteries are better now, but I don't keep my cars more than 10 yrs max, usually less. But I understand that owning a car that’s 10+ years old has its risks, battery being one of them. Maybe when I’m less busy and have more time I’ll keep/buy older cars [emoji4].

You have never heard of Murphy's Law!! New cars batteries can die for all sorts of reasons, especially in the bitter cold!! I agree they are much better, but to be armed with the knowledge of how to react when it does happen is pretty awesome!!

 

[MrTommy]

Not to mention, the newer the car, the more and more power sucking accessories (and just every day stuff!) there are, vying for battery power. Even our 2014 Expy sucks power. When I press the 'unlock' button, the auto running board comes down, and the lights inside and out (parking lights) come on. When I put the key in the ignition the seat comes forward. As I close the door the door, the running board comes back in. You all know this, of course, but I'm just pointing out how much power modern cars take.

 

[cekkk]

DW and I are DC tightwads, and our batteries tend to last five years or more. Not sure how long since I'll change them before failure. Having said that, I bought my DD's '14 Yukon Denali XL nearly a year ago. Like MrTommy said, it lights up like the 4th of July at the touch of a button. Sure enough, battery croaked in a Costco lot. I can't remember having that happen before, although I'm sure it has. Some things can be damped down in the settings.

 

[Spoiledhappywife]

5 years? I am so envious- we get 2 with the type of heat we experience here. I am glad to know how to gain access should that happen.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Fordalways]

Using the Key Blade
The key cylinder is under the driver side door handle. To access the cylinder:

1. Pull the handle and hold it.

1. While holding the handle outward, identify the cylinder and insert the key blade into the slot.

1. Actuate the cylinder to unlock or lock the door.

In other words, I think it is just "revealed" when you pull the door handle.

 

[Fordalways]

Wow, that was way too simple a solution and I and the dealer are guilty of overlooking the obvious. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Fordalways]

^^ That'll do it.

Short story somewhat related, might help somebody someday - Parked at the airport a few years ago in an F150. Locked keys inside like normal and returned days later to a dead battery. Coworker was on the same flight, parked nearby and he determined he could momentarily place a jumper wire from his truck to one of my 7-pin trailer connectors while I dialed the door keypad to unlock the doors. The outlet cover showed which pin was constant 12V, which normally charges your trailer battery while towing. Its the pin at about the 1:00 position. Once the doors unlocked he pulled the jumper off. I was then able to pop the hood and do a conventional jump start.

That's an interesting solution. I had always thought that the starting battery was disconnected from the trailer charging line by a relay provided in the towing package to prevent battery drain if the trailer was left connected. Don't knock success.