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Prius v 2013 keys not being seen. Can't start car

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Oct 13, 2020.

  1. Diarmuid O'Sullivan

    Diarmuid O'Sullivan Junior Member

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    2013 Prius v wagon
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    V
    I replaced keyfib battery. Problem still occurs intermittently. I switched keys....problem still there. Got new keyfob battery for it too.
     
    #1 Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Oct 13, 2020
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Have you tested the 12 volt battery in the car? it may be 7 years old.
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Oct 13, 2020
  3. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    Welcome to Priuschat

    Before you switched batteries in both keyfobs - how intermittently was the issue?
    After changing the fob batteries has the frequency of the issue changed?

    Are there any noticeable things going on around you when the car doesn't detect the key?
    ie messages on any dash screens?

    What Jimbo said - what does the 12 v battery read?
     
    #3 vvillovv, Oct 13, 2020
  4. Diarmuid O'Sullivan

    Diarmuid O'Sullivan Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
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    V
    Thank you so much for that suggestion. I tried to get the auxillary battery tested at AutoZone - they said it was company policy not to test batteries in all hybrids! So, I went to an independent repair shop who said it was [v. difficult to give an accurate read on their meter! Needle sat on mark between Green/Good and Red/Bad. So, I've had the car almost four years. I've begun to price the S46B24R aux. battery and am seeing $199.00 to $249.00 - a shock! I plan to install myself. First time doing so in a hybrid. Anything out of the ordinary I should be aware of? Again, thank you for the suggestion.
     
    #4 Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Oct 19, 2020
  5. Diarmuid O'Sullivan

    Diarmuid O'Sullivan Junior Member

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    2013 Prius v wagon
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    V
    Thank you very much for your input. The condition got to the point where I had no confidence that I could start the car anytime I attempted to. Interestingly, the override function doesn't work on first attempt either. No messages on dash - everything on dash lights up, just not the gear selector icon. I tried to get battery tested as I told Jimbo but had no success. I'm going to try to determine the age of the battery now. Again, thank you for your input.
     
    #5 Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Oct 19, 2020
  6. Hexanite

    Hexanite New Member

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    2013 Prius
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    V
    Just out of curiosity
    Is that where you hold the FOB up to the Start button? My FOB always dies long before I replace the battery in it. So, I end up having to use the physical key to open the door and hold the FOB up to the Start button to get my Prius to start.
    If you remove the battery from the FOB, and hold it up to your Start button, do you still have issues starting your car? If so, then I do not think changing the FOB battery will fix your issue.
    Regarding your 12V battery, it should be labeled with the battery date. I too have a 2013 v wagon (here in Raleigh) and I do not have any issues, so I have not looked at the battery. But, I thought all batteries were labeled, but I am willing to bet it is the original battery. I am not sure of the implications, but if Autozone is worried about testing in the car, can you remove the battery and have them test it?
    Do you know how the 12V battery is tested? I cannot imagine it is tested like a standard battery under load, CCA, etc. But, it may be more than just hooking up a multimeter to measure voltage.
    I have not priced a 12V battery, but $200 seems excessive.
    Sorry, I am of no help, but having a Prius of the same age, I anticipate having similar issues soon enough.
     
    #6 Hexanite, Oct 19, 2020
    Bernie Noonan likes this.
  7. Diarmuid O'Sullivan

    Diarmuid O'Sullivan Junior Member

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    2013 Prius v wagon
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    V
    I checked and the battery is the original Toyota True start manufactured on 10/11/12. Went to dealer and 3 hours 7 minutes later and $259.08 l have a new True Start...Prius version. 84 month limited warranty. Fingers crossed that was the source of my problem. Will advise.
     
    #7 Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Oct 20, 2020
  8. Sfpep

    Sfpep New Member

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    i have noticed that sometimes when i have my keyfob on the same pocket as my phone its not reading the key. possibly that? And you mean the override thing when you put the keyfob to the start button??
     
    #8 Sfpep, Oct 22, 2020
  9. Diarmuid O'Sullivan

    Diarmuid O'Sullivan Junior Member

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    2013 Prius v wagon
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    V
    I experienced trouble with the override feature too ... with both key fobs. It wouldn’t work every time - took four or five attempts - very disconcerting. Following advice received here I checked the age of my startup battery - Manufactured in 2012 - the original! So I felt getting a new one was the smart thing to do and I did so two days ago. I’ve not had any issues since. Fingers crossed.
     
    #9 Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Oct 22, 2020
  10. KJ Fitz

    KJ Fitz Junior Member

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    I had the same problem recently in my 2015 Prius (not the V). It was the 12 volt battery.
     
    #10 KJ Fitz, Dec 21, 2020
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