# Truck wont recognize my key

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-wont-recognize-my-key/173652>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford\
**Created:** [December 28, 2020, 12:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-wont-recognize-my-key/173652 "2020-12-28T00:27:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![maddmaxxx1\_173153](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@maddmaxxx1\_173153](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maddmaxxx1_173153)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 12:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-wont-recognize-my-key/173652/1 "2020-12-28T00:27:13Z")

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i went to the store the other day and when I got back in my truck it turned off ( I left my trucking running) and would not recognize my key was in the ignition at all. I was able to turn the key but nothing would happen i could not even roll up my windows… had to get a tow home any help would be appreciated my truck is a 2012 F150 XLT with the 5.0

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 12:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-wont-recognize-my-key/173652/2 "2020-12-28T00:42:44Z")

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> [@maddmaxxx1\_173153](#):
>
> I was able to turn the key but nothing would happen

Any chance the battery went stone cold dead from one instant to the next, while you were in the store?

What you described is pretty much the symptoms of a battery that went stone cold dead, without any kind of warning whatsoever

just how old is the battery, by the way?

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**Author:** ![maddmaxxx1\_173153](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@maddmaxxx1\_173153](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maddmaxxx1_173153)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 12:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-wont-recognize-my-key/173652/3 "2020-12-28T00:43:43Z")

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battery has full power. the interior lights turn on I can also lock and unlock my truck with the remote

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**Author:** ![maddmaxxx1\_173153](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@maddmaxxx1\_173153](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maddmaxxx1_173153)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 12:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-wont-recognize-my-key/173652/4 "2020-12-28T00:44:21Z")

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battery is brand new maybe 2 months

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 12:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-wont-recognize-my-key/173652/5 "2020-12-28T00:45:11Z")

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Is the antitheft symbol on and/or flashing?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![maddmaxxx1\_173153](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@maddmaxxx1\_173153](https://community.cartalk.com/u/maddmaxxx1_173153)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 12:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-wont-recognize-my-key/173652/6 "2020-12-28T00:46:00Z")

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the only thing that lights up is my mileage when I open the door

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2020, 12:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truck-wont-recognize-my-key/173652/7 "2020-12-28T12:53:55Z")

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An unrecognized key won’t cause these symptoms. Check your battery connections.