Facing consistent issues with door handle sensor on my Ford Ecosport

Both the door handle sensor work randomly with any of the key fob.

BHPian nischaltopno recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Door actuator getting triggered automatically:

Car: 2018 EcoSport D MT 100 HP T+

Background:

10 days back I got to know that the car battery is weak (ABS/Brake malfunction warning on starting the engine after 10-12 hours gap). After a gap of 4-5 days I got a warning regarding weak key fob battery. Next day morning the request sensor on the door handle did not work for unlocking the door. I used the button on the key fob to unlock the door, which worked at one go. Now I don’t remember whether I used the request sensor on the door handle or key fob to lock the door after 1.5 hrs drive (25 kms). In the evening I replaced the key fob battery but still the request sensor did not work - it was working randomly for both lock/unlock. Thinking it to be an issue with key fob I tried the spare one. The door handle sensor did not work and neither did the buttons on the key fob to unlock. Guessing a drained battery I used the physical key to open the door. When I put the car into ACC I got a warning regarding weak battery.

Checked the voltage of both key fob’s battery and it was 3V. The new battery showed a voltage of around 3.4V hence replaced with the recommended type CR2032 for both key fob.

Issue:

Both the door handle sensor work randomly with any of the key fob. The strange/weird situation is that if I pull the rear door handle or hover the key around the rear door handle after the car is locked (using sensor or key fob), the door actuator keeps on locking/unlocking for few times.

My observation:

If the door handle request sensor does not execute the command to open/close door, then the door actuator gets triggered. For e.g. let’s say, I used the door request sensor 10 times to open/close and there were 5 failures. Then I use the key fob to lock the car and when I pull the rear door handle (I have mostly used the driver side) or hover the key around or behind the door handle the actuator keeps on triggering.

Work carried out:

• Car battery replaced - Ford genuine
• Key fob batter replaced - Ford genuine
• Body Control Module (BCM) & Powe Control Module (PCM) updated. There were some BCM errors - I don’t have the details/codes.

Next action:

Key Module update - unfortunately I did not carry the spare key fob.

The technicians at Ford service are clueless and they don’t have a definite plan of action. At one point of time I was asked to go for door handle request sensor, but the senior technician advised that to be a last resort - thank you.

However, both the sensors failing at the same time is a remote possibility and hence I am not convinced with the door handle request sensor failure theory - I may be wrong. Also, what is the possibility of anything going wrong this way if both the car and key fob battery being weak at the same time.

Can this be a rodent issue, though my car does not have any signs of attack. Also this issue coincided with weak battery issues.]

Update: 20/Jan:

The issue seems to have self healed - quite weird. I noticed this when I was about to take my car for key fob update.

Quite surprising, actually no, given some of the quirks of EcoSport.

“ABS/Brake malfunction” error on the console when the car battery is weak.

After replacing car battery, the air is directed towards leg or the fan speed will be slow. It seems like the A/C system reads/senses/gets a lower temperature from the cabin than it actually is. Gets resolved after driving 15 to 20 kms.

If the driver side window switch is disconnected from its socket, auto up of window will not work. It needs reprogramming - open, close, open, close and without releasing hold the switch for 30 seconds. And the above one.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.