Recently bought a 2010 Toyota Prius 1.8 and it was working very well. It used to display a message saying that the key battery is low. Then one day, the smart key stopped opening the door. After some reading on the forums, decided that the smart key battery might be really low, so used the mechanical key to get in and tried to start the car by placing the Toyota logo of the smart key on the power button. Since nothing happened, decided to replace the batteries anyways. After the replacement, tried again, but zip. The doors still won't unlock, and the proximity switch-on also is not working. Any ideas why? Is it an issue with the 12-v battery? Thanks in advance, Manu
I agree, probably the key fob battery. Take it back and see if you can exchange it for another one. Try your other key fob if you have it. If you didn't get two of them you should try to get the other one, they are quite expensive. If you have a voltmeter you can check the 12V battery voltage as well as the key fob battery voltage.
Sorry to hear your are having problems with the Prius. Welcome aboard and when you get it operational again, enjoy the ride.
I thought if the key fob battery was dead you could still start the car holding the key fob by the power button? You still have to push the power button, right?
Obviously replace the key fob battery -- cheap. Then it's a dead 12V if it still won't start. Replace the 12V in this case no matter what a voltmeter says -- the rule of car batteries is that any life after two years is gravy. I've had a battery fail in 2 months, and one in two days -- this was in a brand new Lexus LS400 in 1999. The dealer was more than a little embarrassed about it and incredibly willing to do anything to make it better.
Since holding your fob on directly against the start button did nothing, it could indeed be the 12 volt. I'd suggest to check the 12 volt battery's voltage, if you can get a digital multi-meter. If your battery's below 12.6 volt it's ailing. Or get the dealership to test it? FWIW, one of our fobs started triggering the low battery warning. I replaced the battery on both.
Thanks I thought this was so. It seems a little complicated though when you are upset or rattled when your car won't start normally though. It's just when something goes wrong you just have to remember to calm down and stay cool and whip out the owners manual to see how to solve your problem.
