Ford car keys, remotes and remote keys. Programming and replacement
We are long-established specialists in supplying Ford keys and remotes, and can provide and programme replacements for virtually any model of Ford car or light commercial, past or present. We can often reprogramme your existing unit or units in the case of a fault, and can supply and cut virtually all older-style metal keys. These services can usually be carried out by using your existing key or remote as a pattern, even if it is damaged or faulty. However, we also offer a 'cut to code' service for many later vehicles. As a result, even if all your keys or remotes have been lost or broken, we can still get you back on the road quickly. Please see our main page about car keys, or contact us and we will be pleased to assist. We are also usually able to offer an off-site service in local areas, so we can come to you and save you both time and unnecessary expense.
Re-synchronising a Ford remote
In some cases, it is possible for owners to re-synchronise existing remotes that have previously worked correctly with a specific vehicle. This may be necessary after replacing the battery, or if the buttons
on the remote have been pressed too many times when the vehicle is out of range. Below are the procedures for basic synchronisation of applicable Ford remotes. Please note
that in many cases, this will only be effective with a unit that has previously worked correctly with a specific car. A used remote from a different vehicle might require more complex programming,
but this is not always possible. For many later models, keys and remotes are 'one-time-coded' to a specific vehicle and many second-hand remotes cannot be programmed to work with a different one. For this reason,
we strongly advise against buying replacement remotes from the Internet, or any used remotes or remote keys, as they may turn out to be unusable. We are able to supply and programme correctly working new units at a cost
significantly lower than a main agent would charge.
The programming synchronisation procedures shown below are only provided as a guide. As with all manufacturers, Ford make minor changes to their systems numerous times during the manufacturing life of any model. Whilst these details may help you, we therefore cannot guarantee they will always be correct, or that they will work for every vehicle and remote. In case of any problems or difficulties, please contact us for assistance.
Ford Puma and Ford Fiesta 1996 onwards (with infrared two-button remote)
1. Insert the key into the ignition switch, then turn it to position 1 and back to position 0 (off, but with the key still in the ignition switch) as soon as the LED in the clock lights up. At this stage, the system is
now ready for programming and will remain in this state for approximately 30 seconds.
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch, hold the remote, pointing it towards the interior light, and press and hold the button marked with a single arrow. Wait until the light on the key flashes,
then press the
button with the double arrow three times and then release the single button.
3. Both LEDs (the one on the remote and the one in the clock) should flash to acknowledge that remote programming has been successfully completed.
4. To exit the remote key learning mode, insert the key into the ignition switch again, turn it to position 2 and then back to position 0.
5. A maximum of four Ford remotes can be programmed in this way for each vehicle.
Ford Mondeo, most models up to 1996 (with infrared two-button remote)
1. Unlock the vehicle, then insert the ignition key into the ignition switch and turn it to position 1.
2. Wait until the dashboard LED illuminates (this should take approximately ten seconds).
3. Turn the ignition switch to position 0 within ten seconds. The LED will remain illuminated.
4. Point the remote unit at one of the front receivers.
5. Press either button on the remote and keep it pressed down. This must be done within 20 seconds of step 3.
6. When the LED on the remote illuminates, press the other button three to five times.
7. Release both buttons while still still keeping the remote pointed at the receiver.
8. If the process has been successfully completed, both LED’s will flash five times.
9. Repeat steps 5 to 8 for each additional remote. This must be done within 30 seconds of each other.
10. Once the process has been completed, turn the ignition switch to position 2, then to position 0. This will store the information.
Ford Mondeo up to 1998 and Ford Scorpio up to 1995 (with radio frequency three-button remote)
1. Insert the ignition key into the ignition switch and turn it four times from position 0 to position 1, ending with it at position 1. A musical note should sound.
2. Press the unlock button on the remote. If successful, another note should be heard.
3. Additional remotes can be re-programmed by repeating step two. Each remote should be programmed within ten seconds of the previous one.
4. Once completed, turn the ignition key to position 0. A final musical tone should sound.
Ford Mondeo up to 1996 and Ford Scorpio up to 1998 (with radio frequency two-button remote)
1. Insert the key into the ignition switch, turn it to position 2, then turn it from position 2 to position 1 and back four times within three seconds.
2. The LED on the dashboard should illuminate.
3. Turn the ignition switch to position 0. Then press the unlock button on the remote and keep it pressed until the LED flashes four times. If you are attempting to programme a replacement new remote,
carry out the procedure with the new remote first, then the old one.
4. Turn the ignition switch to position 2, then back to position 0 and the coding should be stored.
Ford Fiesta up to 1996 and Ford Escort up to 1998 (with radio frequency three-button remote)
1. Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to position 2. Then turn the key from position 2 to position 1 and back four times within three seconds.
2. The LED on the dashboard should illuminate. Once it does, turn the ignition key to position 0.
3. Press the unlock button on the remote and keep it pressed until the LED on the dashboard flashes four times.
4. Additional remotes can be re-programmed by following steps 1 to 3.
5. Once all the remotes have been added, turn the ignition key to position 2 then back to position 1 to store the codes.
Ford Focus (most years, with radio frequency three-button remote)
1. Insert the key into the ignition switch, then turn the ignition from position 0 to position 2 and back to position 0 four times within six seconds. A tone should sound.
2. Press any button on the remote until a further tone sounds.
3. To program any additional remotes, repeat step 2, leaving two seconds after the tone sounds.
4. Up to four remotes can be programmed this way.
5. Once the procedure has been completed, turn the ignition key to position 0 to store the codes.
Ford Cougar (most years, with radio-frequency three-button remote)
1. Insert the key into the ignition, then turn the ignition from position 0 to position 2 and back to position 0 four times within six seconds.
2. With the ignition switch now at position 0, the dashboard LED should be continuously illuminated.
3. Within ten seconds, press any button on the remote.
4. The dashboard LED should flash to acknowledge the procedure.
5. Up to four remotes can be re-programmed this way.
6. The programming will be stored and end if the ignition is turned on, or if no other remotes are programmed within ten seconds.
7. Please note that for some early models, the timings are three seconds instead of six, and twenty seconds instead of ten.
Used remotes and remote keys
As mentioned earlier, there has been an upsurge recently of second-hand vehicle remotes and remote keys being offered by various sellers on Internet auction sites and elsewhere. We would always strongly advise against buying any of these replacements. For many late-model vehicles, the remote keys and remotes are software coded to only ever work correctly with the vehicle they were first supplied with. Although new replacements can be correctly programmed, this is frequently not the case with used units. These are in many cases 'one time' programmed, so can never be made to work with a different vehicle. Please avoid!
