Keyfob Disable

[CircusCowboy]

I am a newbie 2024 F-150 Flash owner. There are some sophisticated thieves working my city that use RF amplifiers to trick the vehicles into thinking the remote is present to unlock doors and push-to-start. Is there a way to easily disable the keyfob from auto-detect and auto-start without having to put the fob in a Faraday bag? With my Toyota remote, I have to hold the lock button down and push the unlock twice, this will disable the remote from automatically detecting the vehicle's RF field and talking back. I am hoping there is a sequence of button pushing on the Ford fob to do the same thing.

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[Heliian]

There isn't anything much easier than putting the fob in metal box.

Also, the lightning isn't on the steal list so I wouldn't even worry about it.

 

[CircusCowboy]

There isn't anything much easier than putting the fob in metal box.

Also, the lightning isn't on the steal list so I wouldn't even worry about it.

Thank you for your feedback! Steal list? What is that? In my search for the answers to my question, I did come across several posts of people that had their Lightning stolen...and the assumed (but not proven) method was the scenario described in my post.

Although I am not experienced with the Lightning specifically, I have been in the wireless technology business for over 30yrs. The RFID detection technology that Ford and every other vehicle manufacturer is using is not new, it has been used for years for access control, asset protection, and anti-elopement (birthing centers, psych wards, senior care, etc.). The vehicle is constantly putting out an RF field, once the keyfob enters that field, the vehicle will behave as if the fob was present (unlock, start, etc.). I can tell you from a purely technical standpoint, ANY vehicle using this Ack and Ack-Back technology is vulnerable to this type of "man-in-the-middle" theft with the right equipment...even the Lightning.

 

[Whammy Bar]

Just an idea... disable the RF module?

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...re-any-micro2-fuses-constantly-powered.16579/

Looks like it might be fuse 31?

 

[CircusCowboy]

Thank you for your suggestion. I was hoping for something as simple as disabling the fob rather than any capability of the truck itself (like Toyota offers). I do not want to pull a fuse every night LOL.

 

[Blochead21]

Just get a faraday bag for your key fob. Something like this.

https://a.co/d/2goEmfW

 

[Heliian]

Steal list? What is that?

Most stolen vehicles by year, the regular f150 is up there with about 16000 stolen each year. The amount of lightnings stolen is anecdotal margins of error. It also depends on where you live, large city centers obviously have more thefts.
Aside from the odd crackhead stealing a running vehicle or one with keys in it, most thefts are organized crime groups.

 

[CircusCowboy]

Most stolen vehicles by year, the regular f150 is up there with about 16000 stolen each year. The amount of lightnings stolen is anecdotal margins of error. It also depends on where you live, large city centers obviously have more thefts.
Aside from the odd crackhead stealing a running vehicle or one with keys in it, most thefts are organized crime groups.

Agreed. I am in an urban city that has an active theft ring using highly sophisticated RF amplifiers to steal vehicles...usually to commit other crimes.

 

[CircusCowboy]

Just get a faraday bag for your key fob. Something like this.

https://a.co/d/2goEmfW

Thank you. I am aware of the Faraday bags and will use this method if there is no way to disable my fob's ability to automatically reply to the RF field put out by the truck. Again, I was hoping for a button pressing sequence or something similar that would disable the fob unless physically pressed (like Toyota has).

 

[TaxmanHog]

Thank you. I am aware of the Faraday bags and will use this method if there is no way to disable my fob's ability to automatically reply to the RF field put out by the truck. Again, I was hoping for a button pressing sequence or something similar that would disable the fob unless physically pressed (like Toyota has).

The owner's manual does not mention any procedure like you describe for other manufacturers

 

[Sherm]

The metal container from a deck of cards works as a Faraday for the key fob.
I did splurge on a Faraday pouch for my phone.
Both seem to work for anti-theft of signal.

 

[Henry Ford]

Also, the lightning isn't on the steal list so I wouldn't even worry about it.

The idea of a thief browsing the steal list on f150thieves.com cracks me up.

 

[Whammy Bar]

Thank you for your suggestion. I was hoping for something as simple as disabling the fob rather than any capability of the truck itself (like Toyota offers). I do not want to pull a fuse every night LOL.

Might be able to class it up a bit... install a switch to break the connection for the fuse and just mount it in the dash panel. That way you could hop in, flip the switch, and be back in business. Just brainstorming....

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