2016 Key Fob DRIVER DOOR Sensor ONLY?! Hack?

No - almost all the Australian ones are like that too (apart from the $48,000 iTech).

Don't think there is a solution, that's the model you've bought. I've read every Gen 4 Prius post since late 2015, and some owners have mentioned it. It's cost I suspect - they sell various models at different price points - if they put all the gadgets on every model, they'd all be dearer, but you've got a more budget version.

 

"Hey Google, open the trunk."

Surely some Maker can arduino something up for you.



Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

"Hey Google, open the trunk."

Surely some Maker can arduino something up for you.



Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

The feature you're looking for would be programmed into the software of the computers running the car - and that's all locked in by TOYOTA for many reasons - I'd be surprised if you could hack it.

I think your only solution is to buy a model 3 or 4 (but check - I think they have this feature) - though they're probably more expensive - because they would have cost significantly more to buy new. Like all manufacturers, they price a budget version for those who want a basic PRIUS, with a range of equipment levels up to the top-line model for those who want to pay an extra $6,000.

https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-prius-2016/trims/

There are big differences in the specification between the different models. And it's always something which you need to check carefully when buying a used car - what level it was, and what options and accessories were added.

When I bought mine - I could have paid an extra AU$9,000 for a boot unlock - but it was more than I was prepared to pay. The person who bought yours new decided the same.

Every manufacturer does the same thing. I was looking at a prestige car recently - and, despite being a mid-range model, it didn't have RADAR Cruise. No - to get RADAR Cruise, I would have to go to the next model - ie bigger, for almost $20,000 more. Or buy a Corolla for ½ the price which had it standard.

 

That’s simply not so: in the U.S., all model years of third-generation (2010–2015) and fourth-generation (2016–present) Prius cars have had two configurations of the Smart Key system, depending on the grade (trim level), one of which was for the driver’s door only.

The Prius Two omits many features of higher grades. The Smart Key capabilities are stated on pages 17–18 of the sales brochure (PDF), and also listed in the Features table, under “Interior” at the top of page 22.

In principle, you could add the necessary parts, but as @alanclarkeau kindly notes, there could be software compatibility problems that would keep them from working. You’d need at least the back door and front passenger door antennas and their wiring, which means taking apart most of the interior trim.

I’m not sure this would be enough, however: the Repair Manual (more info) says that the Certification ECU (Smart Key ECU Assembly), the computer that runs the Smart Key system, can store diagnostic trouble codes (B27A2 and B27A8) for opens in the circuits to the back door and front passenger door antennas, which implies that it can determine whether those parts should exist on the car. You might be able to work around this by replacing the Prius Two version of the Certification ECU (part number 89990-47210) with one from a higher grade (part number 89990-47220 or 89990-47221, list price $1281.69), but I have no idea—and Toyota doesn’t disclose—whether that version of the Certification ECU would work with the other ECUs on a Prius Two.

 

I too had 3 door in my Gen 2 2009 trim 5 Prius but not in my 2012 v trim 3. (Later years trim 3 got 3 door SKS)

I just veer past my drivers door when using the hatch. Sorry.

Lets go over customizations you (or more often, your dealer) can change.

https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM47B39U/pdf/OM47B39U.pdf

page 754 discusses how the automatic locking works

Page 755 chooses if grabbing the driver's door handle unlocks all doors, and if there is a delay before it does. Lower it discusses if the Fob unlocks the drivers door or all doors in one push

As a man, I set it so if I touch anything, it also unlocks my wife's door. She has different priorities in her car.

As always, if you have to have the dealer make the changes, read ALL the changes possible. You don't want to pay him twice.
Add or reduce time on the headlight delay, reduce reverse beep to once, etc,

(There were 'updgades' to add three door SKS to my v, the entire dash had to be removed, both kick panels and the door trim. And that did not add more sensors near those other doors, like the factory)

 

sorry, you're not the only one bitten by this cruel decision. i myself passed on 2010 model because it only had one door in the base package, and i didn't want any other features in the higher packages.

people have added it on older generations, and i suspect gen 4 is no different. it was a matter of opening the hatch, and checking the wiring harness to see if the correct wires were in there according to the schematic, then adding the antenna. they also did the passenger door at the same time.
but it is a time consuming job, and if you can't diy, you're likely not going to find anyone with the desire to try to figure it out, even for ernest money. dealers will not do anything unless toyota has a plan in place.

i would try looking for auto electronic stores who might be willing to take a whack at it, or, for 'several thousand dollars', maybe you could trade up to package 3.

all the best!

 

I don't see it as a cruel decision - it's a marketing decision - to provide a basement model for quite a few thousand dollars less. The original purchaser would have been well aware that it wasn't included, and decided to save the money. I did the same.

Unfortunately, for a Used Car buyer, it isn't as obvious as "oh, I'd rather a RED car than a WHITE car" - and the Used Car salesperson may not have been aware of the equipment included in the car when they sold it. If it's anything like here, most salespeople are very deficient in their knowledge of Hybrids - more used to selling SUVs and TwinCab trucks.

Yes, you might find an aftermarket Automotive Electrician who has a solution, but it might bypass the PRIUS computer, and possibly require a separate FOB.

With TOYOTA dealers - I suspect they could be unable to do it by agreement with TOYOTA - that's if they even have the ability or knowledge, which I doubt. Training by TOYOTA for the various models generally only includes items which are serviceable - with no training provided in how to do unauthorised hacks.

 

Hmmm. To me, the keyless entry is kind of cool.... The keyless startup and driving is cooler yet. But I'm so used to walking up to my vehicle and pulling my remote out and hitting the unlock button, that I still try to do that for drivers door, even though I don't have too.
Maybe this is one of those things where if you never had it, you won't miss it ?

Now what would be cooler yet, would be if you could just say, Prius, open my door... Or hatch, and it actually opened, instead of just unlocking itself

 

Yeah, having had previous Gen3 trim Two with a single door SKS and now have PRIME with 3 door SKS, I understand it would be hard to go downgrading from 3 to 1. It is so much more convenient to be able to open both passenger side and trunk door without first opening the driver side door.

But as others have commented, there is no easy hack. If there is, almost everyone would buy Two trim and DIY upgrade it. Sorry, but you must wait for the next upgraded car purchase.

 

After a while, it'll be the other way around. A couple years ago, we rented a car for a couple weeks when we were in AZ and CA. I kept just walking up to the handle and yanking on it. Surprised I didn't hurt myself. LOL! I never did get used to having to dig out that fob and press a button. I just kept saying (out loud, to my wife's annoyance), "Man, this thing is primitive!!!"