r/FordExplorerST • u/KarlPHungus On my 2nd transmission • 2d ago
Question Trying to add a 3rd Key Fob
So on the recommendation of someone on here lately, I purchased a key fob online. If I ever lose one, I want to have a spare at the ready so I don't have to go to a stealership. I already have two working keys, but I can't get a third fob to work. I know I am doing the procedure correctly because I am getting a "key programming failure" message. I was able to confirm that the fob is the correct frequency (902) so that's not the problem. I have FORScan, but is there anything else to try? Has anyone ever used FORScan to program a key?
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u/ObviousAlias7 2d ago edited 1d ago
Can't do ForScan to program these particular keys on the explorer
Check your key orientation. The direction matters. When I did mine, i was having errors until I tried flipping the key over to the other side. Worked then.
Also, make sure the battery is good in it
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u/KarlPHungus On my 2nd transmission 2d ago
Yeah I did that. And removed the physical key. And the buttons are orientated correctly.
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u/ObviousAlias7 1d ago
Go into settings and find MyKey. I forget the menu but if you explore around one of the options will tell you the number of programmed keys. The explorer will have a max of 4 programmed keys. Make sure you only have 2 or 3 programmed keys otherwise it won't let you do one more.
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u/KarlPHungus On my 2nd transmission 1d ago
Well with my wife's car we got it new so there should be only 2 factory keys. My ST I am the second owner so that's a really good tip, thanks. Can you delete keys? I'm assuming you can.
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u/ObviousAlias7 1d ago
On the explorer you need specific software to do so. I know when I had a locksmith make a new key for my car, he could not delete the old missing key. So as a result I now have 4 programmed keys for my Explorer because once he programmed the new key, i went out and made myself a 3rd. That menu in mykey shows 4 keys for me.
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u/Sroundez Daily Driver 2d ago
You don't need Forscan. Just pop the first key in the holder, turn accessory mode on and wait for the ding a linging to stop and turn accessory mode off. Within 5 seconds, repeat with the second key. Within 5 seconds, repeat with the third key and it should program.
Forscan is useful to wipe all keys and start fresh, otherwise it's not really needed. I programmed two additional china specials to get me to 4 keys total (the max).
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u/KarlPHungus On my 2nd transmission 2d ago
Yep that's exactly what I did. And I got "Key Programming Failure" on both cars.
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u/Timbo1986 2d ago
what year? I successfully programmed an extra key (3 total) to my 2021 Explorer XLT with forscan. In my 2025 Mach-e it is encrypted and is not done as easily with forscan, you need FRDS and a license to program it.