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Key FOB starts car, but wont unlock/lock doors

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Lance L, Jun 11, 2019.

  1. Lance L

    Lance L New Member

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    I have attempted the lock unlock open close door "dance" with out success. I am not sure if I am doing the correct sequence, since there seem to be different methods for different problems.

    My wifes key fob decided to stop working on her, it will start the car, but will not lock/unlock doors. I changed the key fob battery and no change. She did run out of gas(sending unit acting up) a few weeks prior to this happening, but it was working after, so I wouldn't think that had anything to do with it.

    The car is one of the lower models, it has the all black key fob.

    Any thoughts? Or links to instructions for this problem? I haven't had any luck finding any

    Thank you in advance for any help!
     
  2. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    The FOB has two sections.
    The passive one uses RFID technology and does not require the internal battery to function; that starts the car.
    The other functions DO require the battery. So either your replacement battery is bad too or that section of the remote has failed.
    Does the other remote still work for all of the functions ??
     
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  3. Lance L

    Lance L New Member

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    We only received 1 key with the car when we bought it, so this is the only one we have.

    As far as the other functions. The remote doesn't do anything to the car, the red light on the remote does come on when both the lock and unlock buttons are pressed, but the panic button does not cause the red light to come on. But pressing lock/unlock/panic do not cause the car to do anything :(

    edit: the key is pretty worn out, the panic symbol is missing, so its just the white button on the board that you press, and the rubber at the lock portion is peeling off as well.
     
  4. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Some people have had success when they took the old case apart, took out the battery and cleaned the circuit board really good then put it in a new case. Not saying it would work for you but it’s inexpensive to try. Look around this site for how to’s and don’t forget to move the RDFI chip when you do.
     
  5. Lance L

    Lance L New Member

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    If I was to buy a new fob, would I need to go to Toyota to have it programmed? Or since I have a partially working key fob, would I be able to program the new ones easily? I feel like I have read it isn't a big deal if you have a working key fob, but if you lose it all together it can be a pita. But not sure if it would be the RFID portion of the key or the other portion that is important to have functioning?
     
  6. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Since your current fob isn't fully programmed, you will not be able to fully program another key from it on your own without using Toyota Techstream software/hardware. Plus you would need to purchase codes as part of the key reseed procedure. ($5-$20 per code)

    So technically you could do it yourself, but it would take some purchases plus a few hours of your time learning how to do and and then finally actually doing it. Plus you'd have to go get keys cut for the door locks.

    Check with your dealership on pricing, call independent locksmiths as well.
     
  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Check with a dealer first.
    Then call some locksmiths.
    You likely will be amazed at the difference it prices.

    The really important part is the RFID, which is needed to start the engine.
    If that part in your one key stops working.......or is lost or damaged, you are then stuck with a BIG repair bill as you have to replace a computer board along with new FOBS. IIRC, that runs about $600 or more.

    Don't delay getting a second FOB; now you probably need 2 new ones.
     
  8. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    The current remote and/or a needed ECU inside the car could simply have just died. Electronic parts will fail too, although these particular parts have a very low failure rate.

    BTW, does the car have SKS? Do you see a small square rubberish black button on the front exterior door handle (driver and passenger side) and at the trunk hatch near the Toyota symbol?

    It will probably be best pay a dealer for a RESET (clear all fobs from memory) and a RESEED (program new fobs to work w/ the car).
    Price shop this around. Don't forget dealer discount coupons; some dealers have this on their websites. Dealers will accept other dealers discount coupons. AAA, AmEx, Costco, also have discount coupons too.

    You will probably want to purchase two NEW fobs, esp if you will be paying a dealer for the RESET and RESEED procedure. NEW fobs come with the small metal key to manually unlock the drivers door. You can get the key cut anywhere. If you know the 5digit key tag code, the dealer can cut it precisely. If you don't know this 5digit key code, maybe the dealer can look it up?
    8907047180, non-SKS fob; $106 at AutoNation in Houston, TX.
    8999447061, SKS fob; $150.75 at AutoNation in Houston, TX.
    Some dealers will match other dealer's online price, you just have to ask.
     
  9. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    [QUOTE="exstudent, post: 2901953, member: 53251
    Some dealers will match other dealer's online price, you just have to ask.[/QUOTE]

    All good advice.
    But some locksmiths can do the very same thing.....get the FOBs and program them......for about half the dealer price.
     
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  10. Lance L

    Lance L New Member

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    This is a non-SKS key FOB
     
  11. Oluf

    Oluf New Member

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    I am watching this as I just had the same issue at church last night. I have not been able to lock my car since. I get a message on the dashboard when I exit the car saying "Key not found".

    I am thinking this is a good thing, I don't want the key in the car. I have both fobs on my person. I have tried to lock the car with both fobs near and far and even tried to start the car with the fobs as this will automatically lock the car until a fob is near. Still the fob is not working. I have owned my car about 18 months now and am very frustrated with this. I do not mind not locking when at church but want to lock up when in the city at work.
     
  12. Lance L

    Lance L New Member

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    Ya, we have used the key to unlock the doors, but the wife is 33 weeks pregnant and when the baby is here, would prefer to have a working key fob ;)

    Going to order a new fob and start from there to see what happens.