Disassembled & Reduced Size of Key Fob

[Hcopter]

After trying two key fobs from Amazon that didn't want to work with intelligent access, then buying a different fob from eBay, I learned that our Mavericks only allow a maximum of 4 keys and it cost me a trip to the dealer and $80 (at least I was able to use Ford Pass points) to get the two bad keys removed so I could try the eBay key. Third time was a charm and this key works for intelligent access. So, I stripped it down to the bare PCB, attached the battery, protected the buttons, and put it in heat shrink. I used hot glue to seal the ends and put a hole in one end to hang it on the key hook. It ended up about 1/2 the thickness and weight of the original, much less obtrusive to carry in my pocket.

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[Montana]

While I agree these fobs are huge, they do offer protection to the board. If yours takes even a small bend it will crack the board and then your fob is useless. Not sure if you've ever seen what it takes to repair a board before, but it's not easy.

All I did was remove the panic button clicker from the inside and I haven't had any issues since. I'm very EDC savy and I have my fob with only the house key and my storage key on a TEC P7 clip and I have not had any issues. But there needs to be some sort of protection to prevent flexing on the board. Hopefully you don't run into that issue.

For my Tacoma I was able to buy a different housing that reduced the size to about 1/3rd but the board was also much smaller too.

 

[MAVERICK OCD]

Hcopter,
This is excellent! I used to seal USB memory sticks by covering the board in epoxy. I understand that you couldn't seal that battery area or you would be SOL in a few years.

I would like to do this. Would you mind posting the eBay link to the fob and maybe some instructions on how to program the new key?
Thanks.

 

[Hcopter]

While I agree these fobs are huge, they do offer protection to the board. If yours takes even a small bend it will crack the board and then your fob is useless. Not sure if you've ever seen what it takes to repair a board before, but it's not easy.

All I did was remove the panic button clicker from the inside and I haven't had any issues since. I'm very EDC savy and I have my fob with only the house key and my storage key on a TEC P7 clip and I have not had any issues. But there needs to be some sort of protection to prevent flexing on the board. Hopefully you don't run into that issue.

For my Tacoma I was able to buy a different housing that reduced the size to about 1/3rd but the board was also much smaller too.

That's definitely a risk, one reason I used a $25 eBay fob rather than one of the original Ford keys. The heat shrink is heavy duty so hopefully it will provide some protection but leaning against a sharp edge could still crack it. If I had 3D printing skills, a small case could be printed and even use a smaller battery to slim it down a bit more.

 

[Montana]

That's definitely a risk, one reason I used a $25 eBay fob rather than one of the original Ford keys. The heat shrink is heavy duty so hopefully it will provide some protection but leaning against a sharp edge could still crack it. If I had 3D printing skills, a small case could be printed and even use a smaller battery to slim it down a bit more.

Yea that's my Christmas gift to my self:

https://us.store.bambulab.com/products/a1-mini?skr=yes

For reference, here was my Tacoma key fob:

I miss it. Definitely wish they made something like that. Took up no space in my pocket. Remote start was double press the unlock button or some sequence like that - I can't remember. Unfortunately, the PCB design on the FORD's is just so bulky there really isn't much to be done. Even the custom ones I've seen are super bulky, maybe even worse:

https://www.fordraptorforum.com/threads/new-key-fob-case.94766/

 

[Hcopter]

Hcopter,
This is excellent! I used to seal USB memory sticks by covering the board in epoxy. I understand that you couldn't seal that battery area or you would be SOL in a few years.

I would like to do this. Would you mind posting the eBay link to the fob and maybe some instructions on how to program the new key?
Thanks.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/155639451769

Credit to Redneck Garage for the programming instructions:

- Open center console and remove felt bottom
- Place first existing fob in depression
- Push start button (without foot on brake )
- Count to 3, Remove fob, Push ignition off

- Repeat above steps with second existing fob in depression

- Put new fob in depression, push AND HOLD start button - you should get a message right away on the instrument screen that key programming was successful.

 

[RonFLA]

Someone with some 3D printing skills, take my money!

 

[Space]

The Ford Maverick key lobe is not just huge, it is prone to firing off inadvertently and often. I enclosed mine with a cover to fix this issue. Worked for a couple of months. Back to same honking truck problem, just not as often. Not excited about tearing key lobe apart. So bigger pants and diet seems to be best solution, unless Ford recognizes this a problem.

 

[TxIsHome]

Don’t think Ford will be changing the fob design any time soon as they and Lincoln have used the same design for quite some time. I too would like one that protects the buttons from accidental pushes.

 

[imboden013]

I bought my Maverick used and previous owner only turned in one key. So I got on eBay and found an exact match. It was for a 2017-2022 Edge. Bought it for $25 from great_keys. Took to the dealer where I bought my maverick and they programmed it for $50. Took 3 attempts but works like a charm.

 

[GPSMan]

Seems utterly.... pointless.

 

[RichardCranium]

Is that the key fob for the Lariat push button start? If that is the case, My truck will be an XL, so I will have no use for one, but if someone wants to send me a fob I will work on a 3D printed design. Is the problem size, or that the buttons are too easy to press in your pocket?

 

[Barracuda340]

When my wife had her used 2013 grand caravan, it came with 1 factory key. I bought ebay replacements. Had to have a locksmith program them since you need 2 originals to do it yourself. I probably bought 6 of them aftermarket keys. I'd get maybe a year out of them before the buttons went to crap. I wish you better luck.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

Heck, I thought I was making progress this week, going from my XLT flip-key fob to my Lariat leave in pocket,,,,,

HRG

 

[Hcopter]

Is that the key fob for the Lariat push button start? If that is the case, My truck will be an XL, so I will have no use for one, but if someone wants to send me a fob I will work on a 3D printed design. Is the problem size, or that the buttons are too easy to press in your pocket?

Yes, this for the push button start so I don't need the key or buttons, just intelligent access, unless the battery dies. I'm thinking of getting the key cut and hide it somewhere on the truck so if I have to jump it away from home I can get in to open the hood etc.

My main issue was with the size, although the buttons did get pushed in my pocket a couple of times.

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