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Gen2 physical key question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by VA201512009, Aug 8, 2011.

  1. VA201512009

    VA201512009 New Member

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    All, I have owned 2009 Gen2 Prius for about 1 year now, have been reading this forum, absolutely love my Prius, and strongly believe this is a wonderful group with lots of friendly people.

    This is my first post, I have searched similar questions, doesn't seem find a perfect match.

    Question:
    how to use physical key to lock/unlock ALL doors while car is running?

    Detail:
    I can use physical key lock/unlock driver side door while car is running. But I expect that if I turn to left twice, I should be able to lock all the doors, if I turn to right twice, I should be able to unlock all the doors. And I'm pretty sure I was able to do that months ago and something must have changed and I no longer be able to lock/unlock all the doors by turning the physical key twice.
    This becomes annoying and I would like to see if any one has any insight on this.

    Thanks in advance!
    VA201512009
     
    #1 VA201512009, Aug 8, 2011
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Lock all of the doors using the inside lock button, then lock the driver's door with the mechanical key.

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, Aug 8, 2011
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  3. VA201512009

    VA201512009 New Member

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    Thank you Tom! That's indeed my workaround.

    However, I still think I should be able to lock/unlock all doors using the mechanical key as I'm pretty certain that I was able to do that unless my memory just doesn't serve me well any more...


     
    #3 VA201512009, Aug 8, 2011
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    The mechanical key will activate the lock solenoids assuming 12V is available. When you turn the key, you can hear the power locks operate. What I don't know without trying is whether this operates the same way when the car is powered up. It may have a different behavior when off. Give it a try both ways.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, Aug 8, 2011
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  5. VA201512009

    VA201512009 New Member

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    Tom, thanks for your information.
    I think you are right.
    I tried. It turns out the key performs differently depends the car is on or off.
    If the car is off, I can use mechanical key to lock/unlock all doors,
    while the car is on, it only works for the drive side door.
    Well, still not so ideal but at least mystery solved.
    I wish there is a configuration item for changing that behavior.
    Anyone knows?

     
    #5 VA201512009, Aug 9, 2011
  6. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    On my 2006, the mechanical key locks everything whether the car is ON or OFF. In order to unlock everything, I have to turn the key to unlock twice.
     
    #6 RobH, Aug 10, 2011
  7. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    And as a point of clarification, this only works when you have 12V power. If you use the mechanical key to open a Prius with a dead battery, it only opens the driver's door. If I recall correctly, with a dead battery you have to pull the door open while holding the key turned, or perhaps it's only a matter of turning the key a bit more. I recall it being a bit harder than normal.

    Tom
     
    #7 qbee42, Aug 10, 2011
  8. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

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    I wonder if how many doors that unlock when there's 12v power depends on changes you've made to the defaults... I think my metal key locks all the doors, but I've changed the defaults so my smart key touch unlocks all the doors at once.
     
    #8 BAllanJ, Aug 10, 2011
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  9. VA201512009

    VA201512009 New Member

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    Thank you BAllanJ.
    Interestingly I did have dealer changing the setting to allow smart key open all doors and maybe my mechanical key stops opening all doors after that.
    If that's the case, I probably have to keep the current way as I do want smart key to open all doors.
     
    #9 VA201512009, Aug 11, 2011
  10. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

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    The instructions to change that setting are in the owner's manual. I have rarely locked the car with the metal key (leaving the ac on on a hot day so i could leave a dog in the car while we ate in the restaurant) and don't remember if I had to unlock the other doors after unlocking the driver's... maybe that happened when I grabbed the handle to open the door. I assumed I had locked all the doors when I locked with the metal key... but it was over a year ago last time so don't remember checking.
     
    #10 BAllanJ, Aug 11, 2011
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