[AT] OT

Steve W. swilliams268 at frontier.com
Fri May 22 12:31:09 PDT 2015


Richard Fink Sr wrote:
> Can any one on the list tell me if a 2012 ford pickup has a chip in the 
> key that would be affected by a microwave or cell phone and disable it. 
> I have a friend that has this truck and if let sit for about 2 days the 
> key fob won,t operate, but the dealer says  it is caused by key, And 
> have replaced the truck battery said reprogrammed the key and said 
> fixed. But continues, charge the battery for about 1 hour @ 10amp all 
> works ok????????????
> Thanks
> R Fink
> PA
> 

2012 would be a transponder type key. They work like the security tags 
that stores use. The piece in the key could be damaged by a microwave 
transmission if the power was enough to cause the internal coil to arc 
(think tin foil in a home microwave)

BUT If charging the battery fixed the issue it isn't the key.

Does it have ANY after market items connected to the electrical system? 
Brake controller, alarm system radio?

Sounds like it has a module staying on and sucking the battery down.

Make sure all the lights and such are off. Close the doors.
Take an ammeter and connect it in series with the battery, set it to 10 
amps or so for the connection. Check the reading. Now if the reading is 
down below the next lowest amp setting switch to that. Keep changing the 
setting lower as needed.

Now let the truck set with NO activity for 20-30 minutes. Read the meter 
again. The wait time was to be sure any systems that may have been on 
have shut down. If the meter reads any higher than 30 ma (30 
milliamp)after the 1/2 hour wait you have a problem.

Easiest way to find the problem is to start pulling fuses. Set the meter 
back to 10 amps and then start hunting.

-- 
Steve W.



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