2015 F150 - Why do your locks only work with engine running?

Question

Was considering doing a 2015 F150 (key) with Evo All stand-alone and smart start.

But your guide says locks only work when engine is running. Why is this?

 

I want to pre-load a bunch of lot vehicles with 3 lock start which is fine, but if we add the smart start (or RF kit) as an upgrade, I can see some confusion from the customer.

 

Does the engine have to be running, or just ignition on? (like power up IGN with a disarm pulse at the same time as unlock?)

Answer 1

Once the vehicle is armed, we cannot control unlock. A 1 button RF-Kit or stand alone 3x lock is the best options on those vehicles. SmartStart is great solution too but the client would need to use his factory remotes to unlock the doors, which honestly, is less a pain then looking for your phone, openning the phone, opening the app, waiting for it too load, pressing unlock on the app and then waiting again for the unlock signal to be received.

Comments

i.e. You can freely lock and unlock until the oem alarm is armed. It does not matter if the the vehicle is running or not.

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Yeah, SmartStart unlock is a pain, except if you locked your keys in the vehicle.

 

We usually do 3 lock start + Smart Start. I just want to make sure that we make our customers  100% aware of the situation as of course people will indeed try and unlock with smartstart if for no other reason than simply "because they can".

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Yeah, SmartStart unlock is a pain, except if you locked your keys in the vehicle.

Very true!

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Someone else was trying to tell me your solution will not actually turn the heat on and the dealer must turn on a setting. Can you confirm?

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That's actually a  FACTORY recall on vehicles with the OEM starter since it did not turn the heat on. Since the EVO-ALL or any bypass from all three manufacturers enable OEM starter in the BCM, that recall may need to be done if there is no heat.

 

TSB 14-0096