Having issues with your 2016 Ford Focus Key Fob? You’re not alone. A malfunctioning key fob can be frustrating, preventing you from unlocking your doors remotely or even starting your vehicle. This guide outlines a diagnostic process, based on a real troubleshooting experience, to help you pinpoint potential problems. While this isn’t a definitive repair manual, it can provide valuable insights as you investigate why your 2016 Ford Focus key fob might not be working.
The first step in any diagnostic process is to verify the basics. Ensure you are using the correct key fob for your 2016 Ford Focus and that the battery isn’t the issue. In this case, the correct keys were confirmed, but still, the system failed to respond. This led to a deeper dive into the system, starting with diagnostic routines.
The troubleshooting process initiated with a system scan, as guided by a repair manual, referencing steps like “R3”. This involved checking the Body Control Module (BCM) and the Radio Frequency Amplifier (RFA).
The scan revealed a failure in the RFA. Typically, a failure at this stage would prompt investigation into the communication network, likely referring to the Controller Area Network (CAN bus) which allows various modules in your 2016 Ford Focus to communicate. However, in this particular diagnostic journey, the “communications network” step was bypassed, moving directly to step “R4”.
Step R4 involved checking for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). A scan revealed the code U201F:13.
This code likely points towards a communication issue or a problem within the remote keyless entry system itself. Following the diagnostic flow, the next step was “R10,” which focused on the RF receiver.
In step R10, the RF receiver and RFA were disconnected. The diagnostic procedure then directed to check wire number 1 at the RF receiver connector for voltage when grounded. A reading of approximately 12.3V was obtained.
This voltage reading suggests power is reaching the RF receiver. Moving to step “R12,” the focus remained on the RF receiver connector.
Step R12 required checking wires 2 and 3 at the RF receiver connector for voltage, expecting around 11V. Again, a reading of approximately 12.3V was observed.
Consistent voltage readings at multiple pins of the RF receiver might indicate a different issue, or a problem internal to the receiver itself. Step “R13” then shifted focus to the ignition relay and its interaction with the RF receiver.
Step R13 involved removing the ignition relay, jumping pins 3 and 5 in the relay socket, and then checking for voltage at RF receiver wire 1 when grounded. In this case, no voltage was detected.
This lack of voltage could suggest a break in the circuit or an issue with the power supply to the RF receiver under these specific conditions. The diagnostic process then proceeded to step “R14”, examining resistance.
Step R14 instructed checking the resistance between RF receiver wire 1 and ground, expecting a reading of 10,000 ohms or greater. However, the multimeter displayed “OL” (Over Limit), indicating a very high resistance or an open circuit, effectively the opposite of a short circuit.
The “OL” reading in the resistance test, combined with the initial RFA failure and the U201F:13 code, points towards a potential issue within the RF receiver circuit or its communication with other modules. At this stage, further diagnosis requires a wiring diagram to trace the circuits and understand the “communications network” mentioned in step R3. Physical inspection for obvious wire damage is also recommended, especially in areas prone to wear and tear.
Troubleshooting a 2016 Ford Focus key fob can involve a methodical process of elimination. This step-by-step guide, while not exhaustive, provides a practical example of how to approach the problem using diagnostic tools and electrical testing. The next steps in this particular case would involve obtaining a wiring diagram and revisiting the “communications network” aspect of the diagnostic procedure to further pinpoint the root cause of the key fob malfunction.
