2013–2016 Ford Escape Keyless Entry Keypad: How to Program a Personal Code and Erase Old Ones (Programming Tutorial)

The keyless entry keypad is honestly one of the coolest (and most convenient) entry features on the 2013 Escape. It's pretty slick... no more actual rubber buttons that you can see and eventually wear out. Out of the box it works with the factory code from the little card in your owner's manual, but you can set it to a personal code you'll actually remember (or something of significance to you).

This is a quick programming tutorial that should work for all recent ford illuminated single pane keyless entry panels- no tools at all. It's easy and the key is to time it right. If you bought your Escape used, or you have a new driver coming on, I'll also show you how to do a clean erase of any personal codes already stored in the car.

You can see this done on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/4wgQ0GDn6aQ

NOTE: ALL inputs must be within 5 seconds of each other or else the sequence times out. Have your codes ready before you start!

What You'll Need

• For this tutorial on programming your Ford keyless entry, you'll need your 5-digit factory code (on a small white plastic card, about the size of a credit card, tucked in your owner's manua booklet in the back in a sleevel- it has FIVE DIGITS and a bar code underneath. Example below:
  

  

  • Don't have your factory code card? You can find it here:

    • Factory Keyless Entry Code Location video: https://youtu.be/f_SsIgSQmYI

    • How to easily remove your glove box to better access the code in that location: https://youtu.be/cAlO_7sZT4c
      

• A new 5-digit personal code picked out ahead of time

• Your regular keys/key fob (to lock the car before testing your new code)

- That's it- no tools!

• Important to Notes:

  • The factory default code on the card can never be erased. It is permanent so keep it private because it will always work with the vehicle to get in the vehicle, as well as enter program/erase mode. You can save UP TO 5 personal codes, as well as erase any personal codes.

  • For the following steps, you can store a personal code "per button", so to store the first code, start and end the sequence with "0-1". For the second personal code, start and end the sequence with "2-3", and so forth, up to 5 times for all 5 buttons/profiles.

Step by Step Instructions to create a New Personal Keyless Entry Code (To the first memory slot "0-1"):

1. Enter the Ford supplied Factory Code for Programming Keyless Entry

   1. On the door keypad, enter your five-digit factory code from the card.

   2. Move quickly- remember the 5-second window between each input.
      

2. Press "1·2" to Start Programming

   1. Within 5 seconds, press the 1·2 button.

   2. You'll hear the electric door locks click (lock/unlock)- that's the car saying it's ready to accept your input.
      

3. Enter Your Personal Code

   1. Enter your new five-digit personal code.

   2. In the video, I set it to all "3·4" presses (pressing the 3·4 button five times) just for the demo.
      

4. Press "1·2" Again to Lock It In

   1. Press 1·2 again to save the code.

   2. The locks will click again to confirm that it retained your input.
      

5. Test Your New Code

   1. Lock the vehicle with your regular keys.

   2. Enter your new personal code on the keypad- the doors should unlock. NOTE: If nothing happens, you probably timed out somewhere- just start over from Step 1. [VERIFY: troubleshooting tip inferred from the 5-second timeout rule, not stated directly in the video.]
      

How to Erase ALL Personal Codes

Same basic process, with one small difference. This is great if you bought the car used or want a clean slate.

1. Enter the Factory Code

   1. Enter your five-digit factory code on the keypad.
      

2. Press and HOLD "1·2" for 2 Seconds

   1. Press 1·2 to start an input, but this time hold the 1·2 button down for 2 seconds.

   2. That should wipe it clean! All personal codes are now erased.
      

3. Verify the Erase

   1. Try your old personal code (in the video, five presses of the 3·4 button)- nothing should happen.

   2. After erasing, the only code that will work is the factory default code from your card.

Practical Tips For This Tutorial (Programming/ Erasing Ford Keyless Entry profiles):

• Timing is EVERYTHING: every input has to be within 5 seconds of the last one or the keypad times out.

• Listen for the clicks: the door locks click once when the car is ready for your new code, and again when it's been saved.

• Keep the factory card somewhere safe: you need it to program AND to erase codes, and it always works even after an erase. [VERIFY: suggest a storage spot only if you want to add one]

• Bought it used? Do the erase first so the previous owner's personal codes no longer work, then set your own.

• Pick something memorable: a code with some significance to you is easier to remember than a random one.

• Try to do this in a cool shaded area. Sun exposure has been known to heate up these keypads and make them less responsive, which is usually very frustrating during normal keypad use, let alone when trying to program... shade also helps to see better!

• Security Lockout (Heads up!): It is standard that 7 failed attempts to unlock the vehicle will lock out/disable the keypad. You can reset this by two methods usually:

  • Using a key fob, open the doors with the remote and start the car. This will show the system you're the rightful owner and it will enable the keypad again

  • Using a blade key, unlock the mechanical door lock and start the engine. Same thing, it will see you have a key and enable the keypad again.

#howtoescapewithrahrena #rahrena #fordkeylessentry #keylessentry #reprogramkeylessentry #fordkeycode #keylessentrycode #2013fordescape #2014fordescape #2015fordescape #2016fordescape #factorykeycode #howtoreprogramkeylessentry #diy #howto