I did a dumb...

[sbi]

First of all - of course all good , no question about it.

Second - not arguing, just questioning what happened. I may have misunderstood, but I thought the key/fob was outside of the cab and AFAIK, if the fob is not inside the cab, you cannot shift out of Parking.

But onward we go

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[powerboatr]

Been there
When we had the expedition. The key fobs for the edge and ex are same.
I grabbed what I thought was edge fob.
My wife always has her edge fob buried in purse..it's primary
Anyway I drove, had my expedition key in the cubby
Dropped her off at grocery and then proceeded to drive across lot to parts store.
Parked shut off edge...came back and my fob failed to unlock
Used key pad. Pressed start got the no key message.
I figured battery was dead
So I opened fob to see battery size and text wife to buy a battery.
Under the covet was my scribble. Expedition.....????????
Mystery solved.. but wife had to walk across shopping center to car?

 

[WalterMitty]

Why not redrive the route? I've been crazy lucky finding stuff. Sure it's 8 miles, but I'd be at least drive the route once....on my motorcycle or my bike.

 

[JExpedition07]

Hey shit happens

 

[780]

Why not redrive the route? I've been crazy lucky finding stuff. Sure it's 8 miles, but I'd be at least drive the route once....on my motorcycle or my bike.

That what I was going to suggest. Not sure what the price of a fob + programming is.
But it might be worth hunting for it?

 

[JJSnell]

Also check your local Craigslist and FB Lost and Found groups. Maybe someone is advertising the FOB as found.
How you handle the proof its yours without having a second FOB could be tricky. I wouldnt ask someone to bring the FOB to my house and "If it unlocks the truck its proof its mine". A good theif would pull the battery, "Nope not unlocking, it aint yours, sorry." And the next morning the truck will be gone...
Sorry man bad deal. I once left my trailer hitch lock on the bumper of my truck and it stayed there from father in laws house to my house, about 4 miles. Corners, hills, stop signs, steep driveway, truly a miracle...

 

[HammaMan]

I may have misunderstood, but I thought the key/fob was outside of the cab and AFAIK, if the fob is not inside the cab, you cannot shift out of Parking.

Truck doesn't know where the keyfob is, all it knows is the signal strength it's receiving from it. Sitting on the truck rail at the cab is likely good enough as it must also function in someone's bag that may have objects around it. From this incident it seems in-fact that yes, there's enough signal for it to believe it's in the cab while sitting on the rail. Sitting in the bed would be too much attenuation. There is an antenna at the back of the cab -- not sure if it's strictly distance remote or not. Truck must also sense key when at tailgate to unlock/open. I believe there's another antenna in there too.

I have not doubt about the events described by OP. 1 he's admitting a dumb move and 2 it's logically sound.

 

[Jekyll]

You have 10 seconds to restart your truck if the system doesn't detect a valid passive key. Opening the door cancels this feature.

 

[WhiteLightningnshitshadow]

This evening while rushing to work, I remotely started my truck as I always do and set my keys on the bed rail while loading my bag into the back seat. I proceeded to get in, push to start, and drive my truck away. The keys were left on the bed rail and fell off somewhere between my house and work. I was able to drive 8 miles to work and when I got there and turned the truck off it gave me a warning "start truck now or key will be needed" or something like that. I didn't know what it was talking about, then promptly got a message saying "no key detected" when I tried to press the start button again. So if anyone is wondering if you can drive your truck without keys...you can! Now to figure out how to get a replacement made and get that lost fob deleted or deactivated.

Dude this is my biggest fear. Why wouldn't every car mfg send a warning on the dash the second they realize the key is gone? Either that, or we need to go back to physical insertions of keys.

 

[fordtruckman2003]

I tried to "steal" my own truck in remote start. Unless I have the fob in the cab I can't shift out of park. You must had extra strong batteries in that fob. It's probably gone for good but such a short trip I'd look in first place you made a turn.

 

[HammaMan]

I have these on my primary fobs I use. Doesn't really add to the mass/pocket obstruction but it does give a nice attention-grabbing indicator for the fob. I use a nice large ring (helps keep things from bunching up/binding, limit to critical keys only like house door/mailbox/biz entrance/any lockbox or similar for that vehicle. The fob and a strict limit of 4 small keys only. You can get them in other colors to color-code rings. Open up the faraday box and simply grab the color for the vehicle I'm going to use. I also color code each metal key to remove guess work. I even have color coded keys for toolboxes and the like. It's pretty easy to do, get cans of spray paint, scuff up metal w/ 600grit, cover the in-lock key area and paint to the desired color.

 

[mxwrk]

AFAIK, you can't even pull the gear out of P if the key is not inside the truck.

That’s what I thought until yesterday

 

[mxwrk]

Key at the time was still on the bed rail and with in a distance to be recognized by the vehicle.

Have you looked between the cab and bed it may be lodged between the 2.

Yeah I triple checked there as well.

 

[mxwrk]

Why not redrive the route? I've been crazy lucky finding stuff. Sure it's 8 miles, but I'd be at least drive the route once....on my motorcycle or my bike.

It’s a busy 4 lane “highway”, but yes I went back at 3 am, started from my house, and drove the first few miles at a crawl with my flashlight. Also obviously checked on foot near my place.

 

[mb1983]

If you were even considering an extended warranty, it may be worth it to do so and add the key protection (and then delete this thread )

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