Key Fob Not Detected: Lockout, Jump Start or Key Service?

Key fob not detected in Lake View East? Know what to report when calling Rick’s for a lockout, jump start or compatible tow.

By Rick’s Emergency Roadside Assistance · October 17, 2026

You have the key, but the car will not recognize it

You return to your parked car after an evening out, press the button, and see “key not detected.” Tell Rick’s that exact message when you call. Having the key in your hand, leaving it inside a locked car, and losing it altogether are different situations.

For towing or roadside assistance in Lake View East and Chicago’s North Side, call (312) 451-5785. We are open 24/7. Share whether the doors open and what happens when you try to start the vehicle so we can discuss service, availability and the quote.

Report the message before booking a jump start

A key-detection message alone does not establish that the vehicle battery is discharged. The battery in a handheld fob and the vehicle’s low-voltage battery do different jobs. A boost is not a replacement for a missing or unrecognized programmed key.

Keys locked inside: Ask about vehicle lockout service. Tell us whether they are in the cabin or trunk and have proof of authorized access ready.
Key in hand, doors open, “key not detected” displayed: Report that message and check the manufacturer’s backup-start instructions for your exact model.
Dim lights, clicking or slow cranking: Describe those symptoms when requesting jump-start service. They are clues, not proof of one failed part.
Key lost, damaged or still unrecognized: Confirm model-specific key service with a qualified automotive locksmith or dealer. Door unlocking and key programming are separate work.

Use your model’s backup-start instructions

Some vehicles have a designated position where a valid fob can be recognized for starting. Ford’s official passive-key backup-position instructions show different locations depending on vehicle equipment. That is why a video for another model is not a reliable set of instructions for your car.

Look in your own manual under keys, push-button starting or backup starting. Use only the procedure for your vehicle; do not pry trim apart or attempt to bypass the security system. If the correct procedure does not work, report the result rather than assuming another jump will solve it. Ford also identifies the manual originally supplied with the vehicle as the primary reference.

Give the actual parking entrance for a nighttime call

Near Broadway and Belmont, Sheridan Road or Diversey Parkway, give the street number and nearest intersection. For a rear lot or garage, share the entrance that reaches the car, the level, posted clearance and any gate restrictions. The front door of a restaurant or apartment building may be on a different street from the vehicle entrance.

Tell us your vehicle year, make and model, where the key is, whether the doors open, the exact dashboard message, and whether the engine cranks. If you have already tried a spare key or the manufacturer’s backup-start procedure, mention what happened. Share only details you can check from a safe place.

If the vehicle needs transport

Rick’s provides wheel-lift towing for compatible vehicles; flatbed towing is not offered. A car that will not recognize its key may also have steering, parking-brake or gear-selection restrictions. Report those conditions, the drivetrain and your destination before arranging transport. Do not force a shifter or steering lock.

Equipment fit and access determine whether we can handle the tow. A lockout call does not include an automatic promise to make or program a replacement key. If you need general entry guidance, see safe next steps when locked out.

Call Rick’s with your location and vehicle details

Call (312) 451-5785 for towing or roadside assistance. We will confirm what service is available for your vehicle, the arrival estimate and the price. English and Spanish assistance is available.

More driver guides

Key Fob Not Detected: Lockout, Jump Start or Key Service?

You have the key, but the car will not recognize it

Report the message before booking a jump start

Use your model’s backup-start instructions

Give the actual parking entrance for a nighttime call

If the vehicle needs transport

Call Rick’s with your location and vehicle details

What to expect when you call Rick’s

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