Immobilized

Hi all. I joined the group in the hope someone else has delt with the problem I have and can post an answer. My 2012 Prius C had a dead 12 volt battery. A friend tried to jump it , but not successfully. When taken to a shop and battery installed car would not come out of immobilized mode. Tech could not find reason. Car has smart key and recognizes key, but still has immobilized on dash. Toyota shop tech said would be $1700. To diagnoses. Car had no problem for over a year and fob battery is new. Tried many online immobilizer reset cures, no go. Anyone have advise? Dead fob Or immobilizer?
Thanks.

 

I suspect he might have. Will call around for different shop and quote. Problem is it has to be towed or trailered. Do you know of a test to isolate the problem to the keyless fob or immobilized unit?
Thanks for your help.

 

The car has a “smart” key. No need , or way to insert a metal key into a ignition switch. The computer will recognize the code transmitted by the key fob and allow the door to open, dash information to come on, and engine to start when brake is applied. My problem is the car recognizes the fob for the first two functions, but will not engage the starter. A red icon of a padlock will flash on the display signaling it is in immobilizer mode. I only have the one fob so I’m not sure if the problem is the fob or receiver.

 

I've been working on property maintenance lately and haven't gotten back to the Prius. Planning on calling more Toyota shops and independent repair shops to see if someone will say, "oh yea I've seen that happen before. You need to do this." Can't be that rare for this to happen with all the Pruis's out there.

 

Does anyone know if there is one or two transmitters in the smart key fob? One for the door locks and the display to activate and another for the immobilizer? Also I see a icon on the display of a green key with 3 horizontal lines above it. The manual states that signals that the key is recognized. May be time to get a trailer and try another Toyota dealer, hopefully better than the last.

 

Took fob to Toyota dealer 25 miles from my place. Explained issue and history of attempts to cure it. Asked if there was a way to check fob for code transmission. He went to parts department and we checked it. Works! He also suggested locksmith to check immobilizer fob interface. Not a perfect day, but getting closer.

 

I can’t tell if the smart key fob I have is genuine Toyota or not. I opened it to look for the rfid chip and did not see one or a place where one could have been. Other comments I have read said to make sure it hadn’t fallen out. Does anyone know if it is built in, and if there is a device that will verify it is readable? Would a Toyota dealer be able to with Techstream?

 

I watched the video link. Problem is this is a 2012 Prius C, that I believe would be gen 3. I’m new to this Prius world, but trying to catch up fast, with a unusable car. I did not see a unit such as the one show in the video in the fob I have. Locksmith I spoke with said he had no means to confirm signal from fob to immobilizer in car. Next contact will be Toyota tech that can tell me something I can believe. Long strange trip.

 

Trailered car to Toyota dealer in Springfield OR last Friday. Spoke to service adviser today. He said tech found drivers door that had been replace years ago did not have antenna for door lock. Had not been a problem before. Also wanted to replace communication module. Would be over $2k and no guarantee that that would fix it. Mechanic had to go by the book. Need a mechanic not hindered by company policy. Might be time to part it out! Will trailer it home tomorrow. Thankfully they are not going to charge me.