No Escape!!! Electonic Locks vs Thundderbird Key Lock

[HKS]

Thank goodness this can not happen in my 2002 Tbird.

Took the 2015 Escape in to have tires road force balanced.
Went to pick up Escape and the guy got in and nothing happened some time.
Told supervisor and he sent another person out to help. It turns out they left the headlights on and depleted the battery to where nothing electronic works including a way to get out of the Escape. No escape possible.

The other tech got a battery pack and must have motioned the prisoner to open the hood latch. The car started and all was well until yesterday (over a week later).
I noticed that the black plastic trim piece surrounding all the drivers side lock switches was cracked.
I think the prisoner went ballistic and used his fist on the control panel.

Went back and explained situation. They said they will replace tho plastic trim. I imagine a lot of labor is needed to strip the door panel in order to replace the part.

Escapelooks.JPG
The door handle above is a switch, and the metal key that is part of the electronic key also operates a switch that operates the lock.

If you are in this situation in the middle of nowhere I hope you have a hammer to break the glass. I would also worry about a fire and no exit.
Hermann

[AZTB]

I've never heard of this before, Hermann. Technology is a great servant, but a horrible master...and that's not even mentioning it appears the whole situation was handled poorly by the dealer.

[HKS]

I've never heard of this before, Hermann. Technology is a great servant, but a horrible master...and that's not even mentioning it appears the whole situation was handled poorly by the dealer.

Jim a real mechanical Keyhole is a blessing and great to have and it usually goes with a real mechanical door open handle.
Not so with the Escape.

[007Cruiser]

So pulling the door handle sends an electronic signal that undoubtedly goes through some module to release the door?

[HKS]

Yes
Maybe we will have electric hood latches next.

[AZTB]

Jim a real mechanical Keyhole is a blessing and great to have and it usually goes with a real mechanical door open handle.
Not so with the Escape.

Does it have the electrical keypad on the B pillar or the door?
I had to go out in the garage to check my wife's new Highlander to make sure it had the mechanical keyhole - it does (thank God).

[HKS]

Yes it does and I had to use it when I left the key in the car and it locked itself. I was parked on a steep sloped driveway (60 miles from home) and the door slammed.

Second answer. But it would not have worked since the battery was totally dead on the Escape.
I suppose an almost dead battery may work.
It all has to do with anti theft I think.

[AZTB]

Yes it does and I had to use it when I left the key in the car and it locked itself. I was parked on a steep sloped driveway (60 miles from home) and the door slammed.

Second answer. But it would not have worked since the battery was totally dead on the Escape.
I suppose an almost dead battery may work.
It all has to do with anti theft I think.

Yeah, I knew it wouldn't work with completely dead battery (we had a 2010 Ford Edge with it), but you think the manufacturers would plan for that with the option of mechanical backup (keyhole).

[AZTB]

Hey Hermann...does your Excape have the hidden key cylinder in it? See below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swo2dpUIIAM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLWSyldEmAc

[007161947]

Jim: Great video!!

[HKS]

Key cylinder is not hidden. I tried the tiny key that comes with the FOB. I makes lights flash including the secret numbers at the door vertical panel.
It is just another switch.
EscapeFOB-Key.JPG
Don't give up Jim. Keep looking for a solution. Maybe more Youtube videos. At the very least we are educating our TBN members about keys.

[007Cruiser]

96A1E13C-CBC4-4237-BA4A-3A8F619202A6.jpeg

[HKS]

Now we are getting somewhere.
Handy Gadget for underwater use.

[AZTB]

Well, I'm stumped Hermann. Just to make sure I understand you, are you saying that on the outside of the driver's door there is no key hole in the door handle?
Pictures I've pulled up of 2015 Escapes (even Titaniums) show the keyholes. I pulled up the owner's manual for the 2015 Escape and it shows on pages 48-60 on how to access the vehicle, even if battery is dead, using the key...on pages 48-49, it specifically states this:

If excessive radio frequency interference is present in the area or if the transmitter battery is low, you may need to mechanically unlock your door. You can use the mechanical key blade in your intelligent access key to open the driver door in this situation. See Remote Control (page 49).

On page 49 it continues with:

The intelligent access key also contains a removable mechanical key blade that you can use to unlock the driver door. Slide the release on the back of the transmitter to release the key blade, then pull the blade out.

And then manual continues on for over 10 more pages, including info on the "intelligent access" information. But no where do I find info on accessing a hidden key hole.

Is there any way you can take a picture of the driver's door handle for us? If you have one without access for a key, that might be another situation for Ford to address...but then, I'm not that familiar with Ford Escapes (although I can find NO info on the internet on the hidden key hole for Escapes of that year).

[Frank Dreano]

Many new cars have the mechanical "valet" key that slides into the remote fob...
Our Thunderbirds do sort of have the same problem vis a vis the trunk; if the battery dies how do you unlock the battery operated trunk latch to open it to change/charge the dead battery ? There is a key slot behind the driver's seat that provides mechanical unlocking with the key...

I was surprised at a car show when a woman who had owned her '02 T-Bird a decade knew nothing about it...