Did You Know? . . . Some Ford Keyhead Remote Transmitters Can Be Replaced by Keyfobs

Beginning with the 2007 model year, Ford started using remote transmitters integrated with the key blade (aka “keyhead remotes”) for the keyless entry systems installed on many Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. These keyhead remotes came in 3-button and 4-button versions. The original keyhead remotes were Omron products and had the FCC ID OUC6000022 on the case.

See Ford’s first-generation keyhead style remotes at this link.

Many consumers do not like the keyhead remotes because they are very big. They can be uncomfortable in your pocket and poke holes in your jeans. What most people do not realize is that stand-alone 3-button and 4-button Ford keyfobs can be programmed to work with vehicles that originally came with these keyhead remotes. Even though the keyfobs were made for Ford by a different manufacturer (TRW), the electronics inside function the same.

See Ford’s compatible keyfob remotes on sale at this link.

I know one Ford owner who has programmed a couple of replacement keyfobs for his Ford Flex. When he leaves the car, he hides the big honking keyhead remote in the console and then locks the car with his keyfob. This way he does not need to carry any key in his pocket. Of course, he keeps a backup key at home in case his keyfob ever fails to work.

Two important notes about programming a replacement keyfob for vehicles that originally came with a keyhead remote:
1. The programming procedure requires two working keys rather than just one.
2. Keyfobs will not work the remote functions of Ford’s new-style keyhead remotes with the laser-cut, high-security key blades.