• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Help With Keyless Entry Factory Code

ST 2022 Red

New Member
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Messages
10
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Montgomery, TX
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#1
Just bought my 2022 ST used from Carvana, 6 months old and 6K miles. The original owner did not leave the Ford Keyless Entry factory code card with the vehicle. Tried to retrieve the factory code using the two key fobs in the backup slot. It is supposed to briefly display the factory code in the instrument cluster above the steering wheel, but nothing shows up. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place because the instrument cluster on the 2022 is different from the example on the internet. The instructions for doing this start at about the two minute mark of the video below. The backup slot where you put the fobs is apparently in the floor console compartment on my 2022 not in the cupholder per the video. (Why do they keep changing this stuff?)

In desperation, I called the dealer where it was originally sold and asked if they could lookup the code. He came back with a five digit number but it didn't work. I called back to make sure I had the right number, and the dealer service guy said if the first owner had put it in his own code, the factory code wouldn't work. Is that right? I thought the factory code was in non-volatile ram and remained forever???

Also tried entering the number the dealer gave me in the information box big screen under "vehicle", but it said "wrong code". The dealer said they could hook up the computer and retrieve the correct code for $160+. Yikes!
 

Dale5403

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,976
Reactions
1,990
Points
262
Location
Mondovi, WI, USA
#3
One more. This looks easier.
 

Messages
122
Reactions
81
Points
27
Location
Bowie, MD, USA
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#4
This is in the owners manual but unfortunatly (page 78) does not help. Dealer is wrong about factory code not working after a user code is saved. I can't remember but you can enter a user code via the touchscreen, not sure if you need the factory code as well.

1671111604408.png
 

OP
S

ST 2022 Red

New Member
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Messages
10
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Montgomery, TX
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #5
Thanks for the replies. I've tried the key fobs for getting the master code about a zillion times, and nothing pops up. A bit reluctant to start dismantling part of the dash, removing the fuse box, and cramming the fuse box down to try to access the number which is then only visible with a mirror. I read somewhere that a dealer should be able to access the code using the VIN. Anybody know if that's true?
 

Messages
239
Reactions
146
Points
37
Location
Sacramento, CA
Vehicle
2022 ST
#6
Thanks for the replies. I've tried the key fobs for getting the master code about a zillion times, and nothing pops up. A bit reluctant to start dismantling part of the dash, removing the fuse box, and cramming the fuse box down to try to access the number which is then only visible with a mirror. I read somewhere that a dealer should be able to access the code using the VIN. Anybody know if that's true?
give service a quick call and see ‍♂️
 

Messages
357
Reactions
204
Points
37
Location
Buffalo, NY, USA
#7

There's a spot somewhere on a fuse box or panel in every Ford. Our Explorers are a little more pain in the behind to get to.. but that's where you'll find the factory code.

Also, factory code NEVER gets overridden. The custom code is just a secondary one and doesn't replace factory.
 

OP
S

ST 2022 Red

New Member
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Messages
10
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Montgomery, TX
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #9
Not sure if this is related to the key pad issue, but just discovered that the remote start feature doesn't work with either fob. Remote Start is set to "On" in Settings. That is a warranty issue, so I'll also have the dealer check the key pad operation whenever I take it in for that.

Remember in my first post I said the selling dealer gave me the factory code? Then he lost a ton of credibility when I called him back to tell him it didn't work and he said that was because the customer code overwrote it. We know better, but I'm beginning to think that five digit code he gave me may be correct and the system has a hard failure.
 

Last edited:
Messages
357
Reactions
204
Points
37
Location
Buffalo, NY, USA
#10
Thanks for all the suggestions. Just don't want to end up dropping a screw into a wiring harness or pulling a wire loose on the fuse box. (My hands aren't as steady and my eyes aren't as sharp as they were a decade or two ago.) Talking to a service advisor who tells you the customer code over writes the factory code doesn't exactly fill me with confidence. Had I bought it from a dealer, I'd have no qualms driving up and asking for help, but next time I need service, I'll see if my local dealer has an idea if/where the code is displaying with the key fob method. Thanks again.
They will charge you a diagnostic fee to plug their computer in and pull the code digitally.
 

Messages
357
Reactions
204
Points
37
Location
Buffalo, NY, USA
#11
Thanks for all the suggestions. Just don't want to end up dropping a screw into a wiring harness or pulling a wire loose on the fuse box. (My hands aren't as steady and my eyes aren't as sharp as they were a decade or two ago.) Talking to a service advisor who tells you the customer code over writes the factory code doesn't exactly fill me with confidence. Had I bought it from a dealer, I'd have no qualms driving up and asking for help, but next time I need service, I'll see if my local dealer has an idea if/where the code is displaying with the key fob method. Thanks again.
Are you doing buttons down or buttons up when placing the fob on the backup spot?
 

OP
S

ST 2022 Red

New Member
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Messages
10
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Montgomery, TX
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #12
Are you doing buttons down or buttons up when placing the fob on the backup spot?
I've turned it every which way but loose. I edited my previous post and now I think there is an actual hard problem.

Thanks.
 

Messages
357
Reactions
204
Points
37
Location
Buffalo, NY, USA
#13
I'll try it on my 21 when I get home and have my back up key. With the fusions, buttons need to be down on both fobs, i know that for sure.
 

OP
S

ST 2022 Red

New Member
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Messages
10
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Montgomery, TX
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #15
I'll try it on my 21 when I get home and have my back up key. With the fusions, buttons need to be down on both fobs, i know that for sure.
On the '22 Explorer ST, I think it's either buttons forward or back. I saw one video that said buttons should face the back of the vehicle, but I tried them every possible orientation.
 

Dale5403

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,976
Reactions
1,990
Points
262
Location
Mondovi, WI, USA
#16
Just tried it on my 2020. No luck for me. So I just don't know. Good luck.
 

OP
S

ST 2022 Red

New Member
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Messages
10
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Montgomery, TX
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #17
Just tried it on my 2020. No luck for me. So I just don't know. Good luck.
Okay, thanks. I appreciate the effort!
 

Messages
262
Reactions
198
Points
37
Location
Charlotte, NC, USA
#18
Okay, thanks. I appreciate the effort!
went through my papers when I bought my ‘20. 1671296198017.jpeg
Punch in the dealer code they gave you using these instructions. This is the back side of the Securicode card I got with my ExpST. Hope it helps
 

OP
S

ST 2022 Red

New Member
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Messages
10
Reactions
3
Points
2
Location
Montgomery, TX
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
Thread Starter #19
went through my papers when I bought my ‘20. View attachment 15659
Punch in the dealer code they gave you using these instructions. This is the back side of the Securicode card I got with my ExpST. Hope it helps
Thanks for looking it up, but the five digit factory code is not available, so I can't even do step 1. Bought it used and card was not with the owner's manual and the key job method of retrieving the code is not working and I don't want to screw anything up taking panels off and remove the fuse box to gain access to the code with a mirror.
 

GearHead_1

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,557
Reactions
1,301
Points
262
Location
Utah
Vehicle
Exploder
#20
I really have no idea but as was mentioned earlier, I'd have to think that by providing your dealer with the VIN somehow this number could be retrieved. You're certainly not the first owner that has run into this issue.
 

Explorer ST Posts



Top