Restart now or use key?

[Roxas]

I'm having an interesting thing pop on my screen sometimes on my 2020 se I don't have intelligent access put sometimes when I turn off my car I get Restart now or use key pop on my display what on earth. Does it need a new battery or something. 

[bbf2530]

9 hours ago, Roxas said:

I'm having an interesting thing pop on my screen sometimes on my 2020 se I don't have intelligent access put sometimes when I turn off my car I get Restart now or use key pop on my display what on earth. Does it need a new battery or something. 

 

Hi Roxas. Yes, the most likely culprit is a failing battery. Have it properly load tested and replace if necessary. Do not use an old fashioned battery meter test. They are no longer accurate for batteries installed in modern vehicles.

The Ford Owners website usually has coupons available for a free battery test. Most individual Dealer websites also carry the same coupon.

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

[drolds1]

IA has nothing to do with this alert. IA gives you access to the car as long as the fob in is proximity to it.  You can have pushbutton start without IA in a 2020 SE. You had to move up to the SEL to get IA, but all Fusions had pushbutton start in 2020.  I'd say that the battery in your fob might be failing, thus causing the car to be unable to detect the fob, or there's another problem.  Presumably, you haven't gotten a "KEY BATTERY LOW" alert, so it may be the latter.  Try your other fob and see if it happens. 

[Roxas]

16 hours ago, drolds1 said:

IA has nothing to do with this alert. IA gives you access to the car as long as the fob in is proximity to it.  You can have pushbutton start without IA in a 2020 SE. You had to move up to the SEL to get IA, but all Fusions had pushbutton start in 2020.  I'd say that the battery in your fob might be failing, thus causing the car to be unable to detect the fob, or there's another problem.  Presumably, you haven't gotten a "KEY BATTERY LOW" alert, so it may be the latter.  Try your other fob and see if it happens. 

The weird thing is is it only pops up once in awhile. I just thought I mention IA just make sure ?. But will do about the changing the battery is it hard to do with these remotes?

[bbf2530]

2 hours ago, Roxas said:

The weird thing is is it only pops up once in awhile. I just thought I mention IA just make sure ?. But will do about the changing the battery is it hard to do with these remotes?

 

Hi Roxas. If your vehicle is starting normally, and all other IKT/keyfob functions are operating correctly, then it is unlikely to be a problem with the IKT keyfob/remote battery. 

 

The warnings you are getting are usually due to one of two reasons. The first would be that your vehicle's 12v battery is failing. Therefore, your vehicle BMS (Battery Management System) is warning you that it is shutting down battery power in order to save enough battery charge for future starting. 

The other reason? If you have been sitting in the vehicle for ~10 minutes with the engine off and ignition on, or with accessory power on. Again, the BMS will shut down battery power in order to avoid a dead battery.

 

In your case, since you are getting the warning almost immediately after turning off the vehicle, I would recommend having the battery properly load tested.

 

At least that is my blind, Internet diagnosis. ??

 

Do you have the Owners Manual hard copy for your 2020 Fusion? If yes, this information is explained in it. If not, you can download the PDF version here:  https://www.fleet.ford.com/parts-service/resources/owner-manuals/

 

And out of curiosity....How long have you owned your 2020 Fusion and when did you first notice this issue? Knowing that information may be helpful in determining the actual cause.

 

Keep us updated and good luck.

Edited May 24, 2023 by bbf2530

[mozz]

On 5/23/2023 at 8:10 AM, bbf2530 said:

Do not use an old fashioned battery meter test. They are no longer accurate for batteries installed in modern vehicles.

A old load tester with meter will work just fine. Where did you come up with this?

[bbf2530]

1 hour ago, mozz said:

A old load tester with meter will work just fine. Where did you come up with this?

 

Hi mozz. Really, again? A bit cranky today? ?

 

Try rereading. I stated a simple battery meter test is no longer an accurate predictor of battery efficiency. And it is not. A full battery load test needs to be performed. You then state the same thing by stating "an old load tester with a meter will work just fine." So you stated the exact same thing, except threw in the adjective "old" to describe the load tester.

Do I really need to add the word "alone" to what I stated in order for you to understand?. Okay..."Do not use an old fashioned battery meter test alone. Have the battery fully and properly load tested."

 

For a fuller explanation, see your other post about this, and why I will continue to answer these types of questions in the same manner, when discussing having batteries properly tested.

 

Hope you have a better day tomorrow. ?

 

Good luck. ?

[Waldo]

While I won't jump into the battery load tester discussion, it's not relevant in this case as bbf is misunderstanding the pop-up message.  This is the message that comes up when the vehicle can't detect the key fob after you've driven some where and turn the car off.  Imagine the scenario where you're driving your spouse to the airport.  You both get in the car together, but in fact you've forgotten your key, but your spouse has theirs.  When you get to the airport, spouse hops out, taking the key.  You turn off the car to get out and help with the luggage.  This pop-up will warn you that you don't have your key and gives you a time window to restart.  Otherwise your spouse runs into the airport with your key and you're stuck in the airport drop-off with a vehicle that won't start.

 

It's almost certainly a result of declining battery in the key fob.  Could be that the fob battery is right on the edge and after sitting in your pocket while you're driving it warms up enough to where it's not putting out enough signal.  Could be the location of the fob inside the vehicle at the time you turn off the car that's causing the variability.  Either way, replacing the battery in the fob is the first step to try.

Edited May 26, 2023 by Waldo

[bbf2530]

45 minutes ago, Waldo said:

While I won't jump into the battery load tester discussion, it's not relevant in this case as bbf is misunderstanding the pop-up message.  This is the message that comes up when the vehicle can't detect the key fob after you've driven some where and turn the car off.  Imagine the scenario where you're driving your spouse to the airport.  You both get in the car together, but in fact you've forgotten your key, but your spouse has theirs.  When you get to the airport, spouse hops out, taking the key.  You turn off the car to get out and help with the luggage.  This pop-up will warn you that you don't have your key and gives you a time window to restart.  Otherwise your spouse runs into the airport with your key and you're stuck in the airport drop-off with a vehicle that won't start.

 

It's almost certainly a result of declining battery in the key fob.  Could be that the fob battery is right on the edge and after sitting in your pocket while you're driving it warms up enough to where it's not putting out enough signal.  Could be the location of the fob inside the vehicle at the time you turn off the car that's causing the variability.  Either way, replacing the battery in the fob is the first step to try.

 

Hi Waldo. Long time no see! I would agree that there is certainly no harm in replacing the fob battery/batteries (although it is only a ~3 year old vehicle and the batteries usually do not fail anywhere near that quickly, but it is possible). However, until the OP states that their situation fits a similar situation to the rather precise one you describe (one key held by a person who jumped out of the car), a failing 12v battery is still a very real possibility and even the most likely.

 

In addition, and at least in my 2018 MKZ, and using your description: If my wife jumps out of the vehicle with the only keyfob, even if I restarted my vehicle in that time window, the vehicle can not be shifted out of park. So getting a warning to restart will not help a fobless person from being stuck at the airport.

 

If the OP comes back and states that was/is the situation or not, and changing the fob battery helped or not, then we will know. However, as I stated, my MKZ can not be shifted out of park without a keyfob present in the vehicle. So that grace period is worthless. Perhaps the 2020's are different. Always a possibility.

 

Nice to see you again and good luck Waldo. ?

[akirby]

16 hours ago, mozz said:

A old load tester with meter will work just fine. Where did you come up with this?

No they don’t work.  I’ve personally seen dozens of people who had a battery test good with the old style load tester but failed the modern test which measures CCA.  You need something like a solar ba7 to get an accurate test on a modern battery.  They also do t fail the same way as older batteries and vehicles.

[akirby]

3 hours ago, bbf2530 said:

 

Hi Waldo. Long time no see! I would agree that there is certainly no harm in replacing the fob battery/batteries (although it is only a ~3 year old vehicle and the batteries usually do not fail anywhere near that quickly, but it is possible). However, until the OP states that their situation fits a similar situation to the rather precise one you describe (one key held by a person who jumped out of the car), a failing 12v battery is still a very real possibility and even the most likely.

 

In addition, and at least in my 2018 MKZ, and using your description: If my wife jumps out of the vehicle with the only keyfob, even if I restarted my vehicle in that time window, the vehicle can not be shifted out of park. So getting a warning to restart will not help a fobless person from being stuck at the airport.

 

If the OP comes back and states that was/is the situation or not, and changing the fob battery helped or not, then we will know. However, as I stated, my MKZ can not be shifted out of park without a keyfob present in the vehicle. So that grace period is worthless. Perhaps the 2020's are different. Always a possibility.

 

Nice to see you again and good luck Waldo. ?

Uh oh.  I’m with Waldo on this one.  You’ll never get a restart now message for anything other than push button start when the vehicle is turned off and the key is no longer detected.  It doesn’t have to be that somebody else took the key out - as Waldo stated the battery could be borderline and was just barely strong enough to start it but then got weaker.  Especially if a button was being pressed accidentally while in your pocket e.g.

[bbf2530]

1 hour ago, akirby said:

Uh oh.  I’m with Waldo on this one.  You’ll never get a restart now message for anything other than push button start when the vehicle is turned off and the key is no longer detected.  It doesn’t have to be that somebody else took the key out - as Waldo stated the battery could be borderline and was just barely strong enough to start it but then got weaker.  Especially if a button was being pressed accidentally while in your pocket e.g.

 

Hi Allen. As far as "It doesn’t have to be that somebody else took the key out"...and describing how my MKZ operates when the fob is removed, that was only stated in order to address the particular situation which Waldo mentioned. ?

So I am not saying Waldo is wrong. I'm only a bit more hesitant to discount other possibilities.

 

A major issue (my opinion of course) is far too many owners do not even bother to even crack open the Owners Manual, and thus have absolutely no understanding of the complexity of their vehicles, how to operate all the various features, and what the messages mean. And I am not referring to the OP, only vehicle owners in general.

 

Hopefully the OP will post back with whatever the solution was, and this enduring mystery of life will be solved. ?

 

Good luck guys! ?

Edited May 26, 2023 by bbf2530

[drolds1]

2 hours ago, bbf2530 said:

 

Hi Allen. As far as "It doesn’t have to be that somebody else took the key out"...and describing how my MKZ operates when the fob is removed, that was only stated in order to address the particular situation which Waldo mentioned. ?

So I am not saying Waldo is wrong. I'm only a bit more hesitant to discount other possibilities.

 

A major issue (my opinion of course) is far too many owners do not even bother to even crack open the Owners Manual, and thus have absolutely no understanding of the complexity of their vehicles, how to operate all the various features, and what the messages mean. And I am not referring to the OP, only vehicle owners in general.

 

Hopefully the OP will post back with whatever the solution was, and this enduring mystery of life will be solved. ?

 

Good luck guys! ?

WRT to "cracking open" the OM, how true.  In my Lincoln LS forum, we had an emoji for this when we got questions that were easily looked up: "RTFM."  Allen will attest. I think you can probably figure out what those initials stand for.?

 

WRT the subject at hand, I said in my original post that I thought it could be the fob battery, but OTHO, presumably, no low key battery alert popped up.  OM:

 

Quote

Key Battery Low Replace Soon

The key battery is low. Change the battery as soon as possible.

 

Edited May 26, 2023 by drolds1

[bbf2530]

32 minutes ago, drolds1 said:

WRT to "cracking open" the OM, how true.  In my Lincoln LS forum, we had an emoji for this when we got questions that were easily looked up: "RTFM."  Allen will attest. I think you can probably figure out what those initials stand for.?

 

WRT the subject at hand, I said in my original post that I thought it could be the fob battery, but OTHO, presumably, no low key battery alert popped up.  OM:

 

 

 

Hi Art. With regard to both of your points...How true...how true! You are 100% correct. ?

 

That is why at this point it would be best (in my opinion) for us all to wait for the OP to hopefully come back and let us know if there was any resolution, whether it be replacing the fob battery, the car battery, or some other fix.

 

Good luck! ?

[Roxas]

Hey guys so I replaced the battery in the fob I use no issues hasn't popped with that stupid message since I think I fixed it. Just wish I could say that for my 3rd key fob that has remote start. 

[Roxas]

So It once again popped up on me. I'm going to say f it. The battery has tested fine no issues.  I haven't had any noticeable issues like I did with the stinky motorcraft battery. It's just really weird honestly I more want to have my transmission and dial shifter looked at then this little pop up.