Push-Button Start - With Intelligent Access (IA): Overview

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The push-button ignition system uses the following components to achieve the 4 ignition modes (OFF, ACC, RUN and START):

BCM-B
BPP
Intelligent Access (IA) key
RFA module
Start/stop switch
TPM module

To achieve any ignition mode other than OFF, the Intelligent Access (IA) key must be present inside the vehicle. The driver need not perform any actions on or with the Intelligent Access (IA) key to operate the push-button ignition system. It is sufficient that the Intelligent Access (IA) key is located inside the vehicle when the start/stop switch is pressed. Pressing the start/stop switch causes the RFA module to send out a Radio Frequency (RF) signal to the Intelligent Access (IA) key. The Intelligent Access (IA) key responds by transmitting a Radio Frequency (RF) signal to the TPM module. The TPM module then sends a message over a dedicated network to the RFA module that the Intelligent Access (IA) key has responded. The RFA module then sends a message over the MS-CAN to the BCM-B indicating the correct Intelligent Access (IA) key is present. The BCM-B then takes the appropriate action based on the start/stop switch and BPP switch inputs.