1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2014 Prius C one - battery dead & manual keys not working

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by fdeclerck, May 17, 2020.

  1. fdeclerck

    fdeclerck New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2020
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    evanston, il
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    Hi all,

    I am opening this as I could not find a good answer to help my case.

    Battery is dead and none of my 3 keys are able to open the door of my 2014 Prius C one.
    There is only 1 lock, at the driver door, no other. We do not have the smart keys.

    Note that a while ago, we tried the manual key and it didnt work already. I thought it was just the mechanical one that had the issue, but I never thought to try the wireless ones mechanically.

    Anyway, I tried:
    - the regular way on each of the 3 keys, both clockwise and ccw.
    - pulling the handle at multiple "heights", while turning the key (on either direction)
    - use some WD 40


    Turning the keys seem fine, I am able to turn, probably 30 to 40 degrees on each direction.

    This seem to have no effect on the lock .

    I will try AAA this PM.

    Any other tip would be nice.

    Thank you
     
    #1 fdeclerck, May 17, 2020
    Last edited: May 17, 2020
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    7,433
    6,916
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Somebody's probably going to have to go in there with wedge & wire to manually unlock the door; regular locksmith service basically.

    I've heard of general reliability problems with the power lock actuators in these cars, but it was never clear to me whether that would affect mechanical unlocking via key.

    Let us know once you've got it straightened out.
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  3. iceman13

    iceman13 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2017
    134
    102
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    I’ve had both front door lock actuators replaced while on warranty. They just became very weak meaning that they couldn’t turn the lock inside the door. I never had a problem using the keyhole on the door nor manually using the lock lever on the inside handle. Your problem seems like if the linkage broke, that’s why turning the key on the door does nothing.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,144
    50,053
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    make sure the wd40 gets inside the lock mechanism, and let it sit overnight.
    put a pair of pliers on the key for leverage, but don't break it. check the manual for correct opening direction, but wiggle it back and forth a little, applying more pressure in the correct direction.
     
  5. fdeclerck

    fdeclerck New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2020
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    evanston, il
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    ok thank you, will try again today... DIdnt call AAA yesterday as it was downpouring.

    Ill try the keys again and will call if needed.
     
  6. fdeclerck

    fdeclerck New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2020
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    evanston, il
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    WD 40 didnt work,
    AAA helped to open the door and recharge the battery.
     
  7. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    7,433
    6,916
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Don't forget to fix the lock so it's one less step next time!
     
    dig4dirt likes this.
  8. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2012
    1,150
    741
    0
    Location:
    Lancaster Co PA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Curious, does the hatch open?