Ford App Remote Start Doesn't Work

[WrenchSpinner3]

The truck is a 2025 Maverick XLT, which I purchased from the Dealership 2 weeks ago. It was a Demo, and had 10,500 kms on it. I am the first registered owner, but obviously the dealership had been using it. I have the Ford App installed on an Android phone, and can definitely see the trucks location, lock and unlock, flash the lights and horn, see tire pressure etc, all on the Ford App. I can not, however, start the vehicle at all from the Ford App. I have tried deleting the vehicle from the Ford App multiple times and then re-authorizing successfully, but have not been able to start the truck from the app. I can remote start the truck from the key fob every time. I have done the SYNC4 reset procedure, located in the vehicle settings on the touch screen, but this hasn't helped. I have always confirmed that the remote start feature is selected in the settings. There are no alerts, such as an open door, hood open or anything like that.
I contacted the Ford App support, and they were able to see the modem at their end, and could see me initiating all the commands from my end. When it came to trying to remote start, they said they could see the command in the cue, but no start. Digging deeper, they said they had an error code: 'downstream module error>update TCU'
My thoughts are that the security in the modem may be tied to whomever was using the truck at the dealership, and that they may have used the Ford App at some point. Even though I have reset the SYNC4 feature in the truck using the touch screen vehicle settings, perhaps this isn't enough of a reset?
I'm reluctant to bring the truck to the dealership, which is in another town, 45 kms. away from me, and being told to leave the truck with them.
Has anyone else experienced this situation?

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[cclark]

Sounds like you've done all the right things. Have you tried hitting the lock button, wait, then tried the remote start? Unfortunately sounds like a TCU refresh may be the answer.

 

[WrenchSpinner3]

Sounds like you've done all the right things. Have you tried hitting the lock button, wait, then tried the remote start? Unfortunately sounds like a TCU refresh may be the answer.

Yes, I've tried hitting the lock with both the App, and also with my fob before attempting the start with the app.....no love.

 

[SafetyGuy]

Sorry, I also think you have done a good job of trying everything you could to get it to go...and a visit to the shop should hopefully will get it to go...I haven't read about a problem like this before, so a chance to learn something new.

Still lots of winter left for us and remote start working would be nice, eh!

Best of luck and I will be watching to see if you get this sorted out quickly.

Have a good one,

Andy

 

[cclark]

and I'm guessing you have the latest version of the app, 6.6.0. Sorry but you'll get it going one way or the other.

 

[WrenchSpinner3]

and I'm guessing you have the latest version of the app, 6.6.0. Sorry but you'll get it going one way or the other.

Yes, I have 6.6.0

 

[Pointyears]

Have you tried from another phone?

 

[Cancunbadlands]

Make sure you got the latest version of the app, 6.6.0.

 

[WrenchSpinner3]

Have you tried from another phone?

Unfortunately I don't have another phone tor try. Also, I double checked, and can confirm that my app version is 6.6.0.
The truck is booked to go into the dealership on Friday to see if the modem needs an update.

 

[Don806]

I had the app not want to remote start on the 22 maybe 4-5 times over a 3 month period the first winter we had it. The following winter, always worked. Haven't had it happen with the 25 the entire year we have owned it.

 

[HeyBales]

Excellent troubleshooting - glad Ford support saw what they saw.

So not app side issue at all - command is making it to Ford's server, and then making it to truck, but not being acted on by truck because of module issue. Or perhaps it's not sent to truck because issue is already there.

But considering Lock/Unlock makes it to TCU and works, the TCU is willing to receive those commands.

Would you perhaps have an OBD2 adapter for scan app on phone?
Forscan Lite has a module Reset and Power cycle function, which could be done to the TCU.

Other thought - at least 2 posters have had a TCU issue where it held on to a value that should have been updated (it was for 12V battery SOC value) on each turnoff. In these cases, it thought the SOC was too low - so immediately sent up to Ford that modem was turning off to conserve battery, and app was informed no remote access.
But the battery had just fine voltage and SOC% - it merely had a stuck value.

Since Remote Start has some requirements as you mentioned - perhaps one of those is stuck as a value, and it appears it should not be allowed to start. Seems you'd get an error still though.

Interesting test - do leave a door ajar, and attempt remote start - do you get an error?
Then close door - attempt again.
Manual says it'll lock all the doors as part of remote start, but better to lock 1st I'd think.

Oh - those others posters with stuck TCU value - dealer did a software "upgrade", or reload more likely, to solve issue.

 

[WrenchSpinner3]

Excellent troubleshooting - glad Ford support saw what they saw.

So not app side issue at all - command is making it to Ford's server, and then making it to truck, but not being acted on by truck because of module issue. Or perhaps it's not sent to truck because issue is already there.

But considering Lock/Unlock makes it to TCU and works, the TCU is willing to receive those commands.

Would you perhaps have an OBD2 adapter for scan app on phone?
Forscan Lite has a module Reset and Power cycle function, which could be done to the TCU.

Other thought - at least 2 posters have had a TCU issue where it held on to a value that should have been updated (it was for 12V battery SOC value) on each turnoff. In these cases, it thought the SOC was too low - so immediately sent up to Ford that modem was turning off to conserve battery, and app was informed no remote access.
But the battery had just fine voltage and SOC% - it merely had a stuck value.

Since Remote Start has some requirements as you mentioned - perhaps one of those is stuck as a value, and it appears it should not be allowed to start. Seems you'd get an error still though.

Interesting test - do leave a door ajar, and attempt remote start - do you get an error?
Then close door - attempt again.
Manual says it'll lock all the doors as part of remote start, but better to lock 1st I'd think.

Oh - those others posters with stuck TCU value - dealer did a software "upgrade", or reload more likely, to solve issue.

I took the truck in for service today. The tech performed diagnostics, and determined that the battery was in a poor State Of Charge, even after a 40 minute drive to the dealership. He retrieved multiple low voltage codes from various modules. I had no indication of any of this, either on the Ford App or on the truck itself. It always started with the remote Fob and with the push button start., with no labouring. The only thing that would not ever work was the remote start using the App. The Tech attempted to charge the battery, but it failed the tests following charging. He replaced it with a new battery and did the BMS reset as required when installing a new battery. The remote start now works from the Ford App. The original battery is a year old, and as the truck was a demo unit with 10,500 kms on it, I have no knowledge of how the truck was driven or cared for prior to me getting it almost 3 weeks ago. The new battery is an AGM, and unfortunately I didn't take notice of the type they removed, but I'm betting it was not and AGM.

 

[HeyBales]

I took the truck in for service today. The tech performed diagnostics, and determined that the battery was in a poor State Of Charge, even after a 40 minute drive to the dealership. He retrieved multiple low voltage codes from various modules. I had no indication of any of this, either on the Ford App or on the truck itself. It always started with the remote Fob and with the push button start., with no labouring. The only thing that would not ever work was the remote start using the App. The Tech attempted to charge the battery, but it failed the tests following charging. He replaced it with a new battery and did the BMS reset as required when installing a new battery. The remote start now works from the Ford App. The original battery is a year old, and as the truck was a demo unit with 10,500 kms on it, I have no knowledge of how the truck was driven or cared for prior to me getting it almost 3 weeks ago. The new battery is an AGM, and unfortunately I didn't take notice of the type they removed, but I'm betting it was not and AGM.

So they probably didn't tell you what the manual says to do after a new battery and BMS Reset.
BMS Relearn.
Needs to sit locked for 9 hrs.

It seems odd the Ford app let you do some remote things, like lock the door.

Because the bad battery state that kicks in Deep Sleep Mode, turns off the modem - all remote access is killed.

Them having the system unplugged for the computers to reset is probably all you needed.

But nice to get a new better battery out of it anyway.

 

[WrenchSpinner3]

So they probably didn't tell you what the manual says to do after a new battery and BMS Reset.
BMS Relearn.
Needs to sit locked for 9 hrs.

It seems odd the Ford app let you do some remote things, like lock the door.

Because the bad battery state that kicks in Deep Sleep Mode, turns off the modem - all remote access is killed.

Them having the system unplugged for the computers to reset is probably all you needed.

But nice to get a new better battery out of it anyway.

Yes. Clearly a good dealership, as there was no debate about a new battery, and they didn't even tell me about it until they were finished up. No, they did not mention anything about the truck having to sit for nine hours locked up following a BMS reset. Hopefully nothing has been compromised, as I drove home 40kms, parked for 30 minutes and then went out for another 12 km round trip. The truck will definitely sit overnight now for more than 9 hours, so I'll hope for the best. I am only just now learning about all the battery and parasitic draw issues with the Mavericks. I hope I don't have to hook up a battery maintainer on a regular basis. The technician did say they had seen a run of batteries needing replacement recently, but he attributed that to the long, cold winter we have had here.

 

[Geo8866]

I didn't read every post so I apologize if this was previously mentioned. But did you uninstall and reinstall the app?

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