2012 ford flex wont program

Question

I have a 2012 Ford flex. 80 bit SA keys. service # 001a06251596. Running t harness in standalone mode.

When I start the program process, I get the confirmation in step 4. However, when I get to step 14 the red and blue  stay illuminated. At this point, if I start the vehicle with the key and turn it off, it will stay running. It will not shut off with the foot brake, It will only shut off if I unplug the evo-all.

Answer 1

Looking at your service number, seems the module was not flashed properly (disconnected too fast, lost connection, or had the wrong Toggle setting in the Flash-Link Manager). The options are all "funky" : https://fortin.ca/en/support/001a06251596/

 

To reset the entire unit, including the options, you must follow this procedure. This will clear any previous programmed data and also reset all options back to default. You would need to go back into the options afterward to re-enable stand alone remote start . This is the reset procedure:

1. Hold down programming button while plugging in datalink connector.
2. Let go of button when LED is RED.
3. Push and hold button again until all three LEDs start to alternate.
4. Disconnect unit, she is now reset.

 

As for the programming. Nowhere during the programming procedure, should you have to actually start the truck. Only ignition needs to be on.

• When inserting the key the first time, the RED LED will flicker. If it does not flicker Off-ON, the module is not detecting key-sense or Rx - Tx (light blue, light blue black wires).
• After cycling the 1 st key the third time (step 14), you should see your door locks cycle. The programming procedure is the exact same procedure as what a dealer would do to program a new key to the car. The third time cycling a key, will cycle your door locks. This confirms the timing of the entire programming sequence and that you have allowed the truck to enter programming mode.

 

 

Comments

Ford can program a 40-bit encryption on an 80-bit SA key but cannot program an 80-bit encryption on a 40-bit key.

 

If your key says HA on it, you have a 40-bit. If this is the case just use programming 3 in the below installation guide. It uses the DCryptor to make a virtual copy of the key, only 1 key is required for programming.

• STAND ALONE EVO-ALL & THAR-FOR1 (T-Harness) & Ford - Revision 20131217

 

If it says SA, we need to test Pin 1 at the transponder connector to see if the wire tests as ignition or key-sense.

• Tests as key-sense = 80-bit encryption
• Tests as ignition = 40-bit encryption

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OK, well, here is where my frustration lies. We have a 40 bit vehicle. My first call to tech support, when I told them the keys I had and the issue I was having, the person said that since i had an ha and an sa that the vehicle had a duplicate key and I did not have 2 master keys. I would need 2 SA 80 bit master keys. The vehicle would have to go to the dealership and be reprogrammed with 2 80 bit masters (it was). Nowhere was the red flag raised that it was a 40 bit and all that needed to be done was change the method of programming (on top of the jacked settings that you corrected for me)  

Robert I greatly thank you for all of your help, however I am extrememly dissappointed in the phone technical support that were on 2 occations quick to dismiss me and cost my customer money. I think fortin makes a great product, and You have been a great help, however this could have been resolved weeks ago by being told that it was a 40 bit system, and not being told that It was an 80 bit system that had a key added.  

To recap the misinformation:

I didnt think that an 80 bit vehicle would accept a 40 bit key, however I was told that this was the case...

As long as I have 2 master keys, I can program to 80 bit as long as all spots arent filled. I was told over the phone this was not the case.

These are not misunderstandings. I asked to verify and clearly asked "so this has to go back to the dealer for  xyz?"

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The number 1 reason why this happened is because the guide is clearly pointing that the vehicle is supposed to be 80-bit SA key. You should not have been told though that an 80-bit vehicle would accept 40-bit. This makes no sense, it's 100% the opposite. You can use an SA key to program the HA 40-bit encryption on it. The guides will be fixed to reflect and fix this very soon. Ford Flex only started 80-bit in 2013.

 

So to run down. The truck is actually a 40-bit HA key. Client got a key added to the vehicle and the dealer used a SA key to program a 40 bit encryption (perfectly normal, not the first time i hear this). I personally should have just asked you in the beginning what it said on the keys but i never did, all i saw was the mention of SA keys in the original post and didn't look further.

 

The solution right now would be to use the Dcryptor programming procedure. I personally always use Dcryptor on 40 bit keys Ford. BCM spare key programming disabled or not, DCryptor programming does not care.

• Note that... The regular 2 Key programming for 40-bit keys should also work as long as the BCM spare key programming was not disabled after that SA key was added to the car.

 

Call me directly if you want 1-877-336-7797 ext: 259 or Alex ext : 251

 

 

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It is fine.  I am not upset with you for asking or not. I also admit my ignorance with what the vehicle will or will not accept.  I have never had any issues with you or any other bypass company prior to this point with a 40 OR 80 bit key. The frustration lies with the path I was sent down the first time I called. That person knew that I had a 40 bit and 80 bit. In fact that was how I found out HA was 40 bit, they still told me that I needed to have 2 80 bit SA masters (knowing I had a  fully functioning ha). I am no expert on ford's encryption. If someone who does support for a company  that makes bypass modules, states that it is an 80 bit vehicle will accept a 40 bit key, but not program the module, who am I to think this is incorrect?

Then being told that all but the master needed erased, not because the vehicles spots will be full, but because the evo all just wont accept programming if there are more than 2 keys and that I needed another trip to the dealer, was the icing on the cake.

It wasnt until I decided to look into the function of the system further that I realized the possibility of this being 80 bit was very slim. Then you confirmed it is 40 bit.

Thanks for your help.

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I'll do my best to get this HA vs SA story cleared out with the other tech support guys. Just to make sure they understant the Ford key encryption.

 
I'm extremely just glad right now everything added up as to why you were not able to program the module.