Fob in ignition warning light--when fob isn't in ignition

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by catlin64, Jan 14, 2014.

  1. catlin64

    catlin64 Junior Member

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    I have a 2007 Prius. Today it began showing an warning indicator light (car w/key symbol) and sounded the beeps it usually does when I forget to take the fob out of the ignition when leaving the car. However, I had taken the fob out. Eventually, the battery drained as it does when leaving the fob in the ignition without running the car. Later, the warning light continued to blink, but the beeping stopped. The battery still drained. The local Toyota dealer said he has never heard of something like this. Has anyone had this problem and if so, what is the fix? Thanks in advance for your help.
     
    #1 catlin64, Jan 14, 2014
  2. YOLOsoBuyaPrius

    YOLOsoBuyaPrius Junior Member

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    Is the slot all the way sprung out? If not this may trick the Prius into thinking the key is still there.



    slot.JPG
     
    #2 YOLOsoBuyaPrius, Jan 14, 2014
  3. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Is the 12 volt battery the one that is draining? That may sound stupid but there is the traction battery (HV 277 volts), key fob battery (3 volts) and the auxiliary battery(12 volt).

    Second question. Is the 12 volt battery the "original battery" that came with the car?

    Does you car have SKS (smart key system) on it, or do you always have to put the key in the slot to start the car?

    Can you take a picture of the flashing light of the car with the key through it and post it here?
     
    #3 dorunron, Jan 14, 2014
  4. catlin64

    catlin64 Junior Member

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    Not sure which battery. I can't start the car if that's any help (had to jump it). I believe all batteries are original (I have not changed any since buying the car 3 years ago). I'll get a picture, but the indicator is a car with the picture of a key inside the car. As you look at the panel, it is on the lower level, next to a circle/exclamation mark symbol, then something else, then this one. Does that help? I've not seen it until today.
     
    #4 catlin64, Jan 14, 2014
  5. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Thanks for the additional information. Everything you said above definitely helps.

    Before I suggest what you might do, would you please do the following steps, and then post back what you see. I am looking for three different values. If you will follow the steps below you should see three different numbers if you can complete the test. Please run the test as follows and post the values you see. If for some reason you can't complete the whole test, then post what values you did see.

    - Without brake pedal, press the Power button once and release to enter ACC mode
    - Press and hold the MFD Info button, then turn the head lights on and off three times to enter Maintenance mode; release Info button
    - Press “Menu” (on screen)
    - Press “Display Check”
    - Press “Vehicle Signal Check” - the battery voltage is shown and should be about 12.4 to 12.8 Volts (normal for an unloaded battery)
    - Again without brake pedal, press Power button and release to put a current load on the battery - the voltage should stay above 12.0V (if less than 12.0V the battery is not well, or there is a fault or unusual load somewhere)
    - Press brake pedal and press Power button once to enter "Ready" mode - the battery is now charging at about 14V (if less than 13.6V or more than 14.4 there may be a problem with the charging circuit)
    - Turn car OFF to leave Maintenance mode

    Also, again I ask "Does you car have SKS (Smart Key System) on it?
     
    #5 dorunron, Jan 15, 2014
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I'm suspecting OP has SKS and just walked away without shutting down. Thinking the key is not in the ignition, but SKS won't require that.
     
    #6 JC91006, Jan 15, 2014
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