In a panic over key fob woes

[sforzando]

Ok, here’s the situation: I accidentally keep setting off the panic alarm on the key fob. My Maverick is less than a month old, yet the horns have had the vocal workout of a 30-year-old singing Italian arias and German Lieder. I want it to stop. I read through the topic using the search feature in the forum, but the solutions seem a bit aggressive to me: 1. Use Forscan to change the function of the key fob (not something I care to attempt, since I am a Macintosh user) 2. Take apart the key fob and do some surgery. (On the klutz meter, I am probably about a “6”). I tried purchasing a key fob case and thought it might block the button, but as I found out tonight, that didn’t work. In all fairness, the panic button actually went off tonight when my two dogs jumped on my lap to let me know it was their dinner time, so I really can’t pin the blame on myself for tonight’s incident. Do any of you have a suggestion for a case that might work to block the panic button? My dealer installed a keypad entry on my ’24 Lariat, so I guess I could leave the key fob in my truck all the time. Haven’t tried that yet, but that might be a solution. That, or a key fob exorcism!

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[Waterick]

Maybe keep fob in a Faraday pouch. Added security too!

 

[2wheels4fun]

hot glue or super glue the panic button on three sides (not the top next to the lock button). It greatly reduced the times I hit the panic button but did not totally eliminate it. Months later I ended up taking the remote apart and ground down the inside of the panic button with a dremal.

 

[sforzando]

Maybe keep fob in a Faraday pouch. Added security too!

Good suggestion. Hadn’t thought of that but just ordered one.

 

[dfwrere]

What kind of key fob cover did you try? I bought a custom leather cover for my Lariat, and it seems to keep me from accidentally pressing keys. I think it works better than some of the silicone covers I've seen because it's stiffer, and the buttons are recessed a bit because of the thickness of the cover that's cut out around them.

 

[Chilipepper]

Ok, here’s the situation: I accidentally keep setting off the panic alarm on the key fob. My Maverick is less than a month old, yet the horns have had the vocal workout of a 30-year-old singing Italian arias and German Lieder. I want it to stop. I read through the topic using the search feature in the forum, but the solutions seem a bit aggressive to me: 1. Use Forscan to change the function of the key fob (not something I care to attempt, since I am a Macintosh user) 2. Take apart the key fob and do some surgery. (On the klutz meter, I am probably about a “6”). I tried purchasing a key fob case and thought it might block the button, but as I found out tonight, that didn’t work. In all fairness, the panic button actually went off tonight when my two dogs jumped on my lap to let me know it was their dinner time, so I really can’t pin the blame on myself for tonight’s incident. Do any of you have a suggestion for a case that might work to block the panic button? My dealer installed a keypad entry on my ’24 Lariat, so I guess I could leave the key fob in my truck all the time. Haven’t tried that yet, but that might be a solution. That, or a key fob exorcism!

It’s probably a bad key fob. The button is probably to sensitive. You have two key fobs try using the other one to see if the same thing happens.

 

[sforzando]

It’s probably a bad key fob. The button is probably to sensitive. You have two key fobs try using the other one to see if the same thing happens.

Didn't think of that, but I'll give it a try. At this point I'll try everything before attempting surgery of the fob. I have ordered a leather case, a rectangular zipper case, and a faraday pouch. Something has got to work.

 

[robbyrob]

What kind of key fob cover did you try? same question
link?

 

[robbyrob]

How to disable the panic button on your keyless remote (fully reversible)

 

[Ozarkbeard]

At this point I'll try everything before attempting surgery of the fob.

It's easy. I couldn't find the OG post, but saved the great images they graciously posted (thanks OG):

Just pry the bottom light blue button off the circuit board w/ a pocket knife.

"Feature" can also be disabled using FORScan:
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/disable-panic-alarm.21229/

 

[dochawk]

a spot of weak glue, such that it won't push easily, but you can push hard and snap the glue ring?

 

[dmopro]

I went low tech on this. I have done it on every fob I got. Thin plastic wrap (with ample scotch tape) with only the lock/unlock buttons accessible. The other two buttons work, just need to press a lot harder.

.

 

[sforzando]

Thanks for all the great suggestions about disabling the panic button. The leather key fob case arrived today, as did the Faraday pouch. Both are fantastic! The leather case makes it highly unlikely I will accidentally activate the panic button, and the pouch works amazingly well. Here's a thought...my previous vehicle that used a key fob (Ford Cmax) would often get a run-down or dead battery, even though the vehicle did not have extended periods of inactivity. When I would take my vehicle into the Ford dealership for servicing, they would always advise me that my battery was nearly dead and would suggest putting it on a trickle charger. I replaced the battery a few times. Now I am wondering if the proximity of the key fob to the garage would not allow the computer to sleep, since it was constantly making contact. I noticed right away with this key fob in the sleeve that the truck was no longer clicking and making contact as I walked into the garage. Does a constant connection between the key fob and vehicle drain the battery? Sure seems to make sense.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I went low tech on this. I have done it on every fob I got. Thin plastic wrap (with ample scotch tape) with only the lock/unlock buttons accessible. The other two buttons work, just need to press a lot harder.

.

Quite a shocking picture for Lariat owner.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Thanks for all the great suggestions about disabling the panic button. The leather key fob case arrived today, as did the Faraday pouch. Both are fantastic! The leather case makes it highly unlikely I will accidentally activate the panic button, and the pouch works amazingly well. Here's a thought...my previous vehicle that used a key fob (Ford Cmax) would often get a run-down or dead battery, even though the vehicle did not have extended periods of inactivity. When I would take my vehicle into the Ford dealership for servicing, they would always advise me that my battery was nearly dead and would suggest putting it on a trickle charger. I replaced the battery a few times. Now I am wondering if the proximity of the key fob to the garage would not allow the computer to sleep, since it was constantly making contact. I noticed right away with this key fob in the sleeve that the truck was no longer clicking and making contact as I walked into the garage. Does a constant connection between the key fob and vehicle drain the battery? Sure seems to make sense.

It appears to me that if I double lock with either the fob, keypad, or door handle on lariat.bthst the delay courtesy lights, and the infotainment screen and dash go dark a second or two after the double lock. This of course will save a small amount of current but I can walk around truck with key fob and there is no clicking making me think the fob polling has been turned off.

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