2005 Prius starting problem

if it's repeatable and it sounds like it is I'd have it dropped at the dealer and let them diagnoise the problem. If it's not setting the MIL it will take a tech to figure out what the problem is. Keep us posted.

 

You mean, operator error? You bet :_> Don't leave the fob in the car, and be firm and deliberate about pressing the brake and pushing the power button.

 

the orange key means the car is not recognizing the smart key. got it directly next to a cell phone? or maybe the battery in the fob is on the fritz?

 

Put the key in where?

 

You need a good Prius Tech and a THHS (Toyota Hand Held Scanner) to sleuth out the DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) and work this out. When you do ask them for the DTC and post them here not only will you get back up but everyone can learn from this. There are a number of folk that have access to the service manuals with the DTC. You may get additional information that you can learn from.

 

I have troubles like this.. my cellphone is too close to the fob and it keeps it from working *shrug*.. it's very strange.. but when it's just at that position in my pocket, it won't work.. the key light will come on. I've had this problem since i first got my phone. apparently other people.. such as galaxee up there has heard of it too.

 

good one! you to be commended for telling us the problem. As it'll prevent problems for the next time a 2 Prius family has a "no start problem". Thank you.

 

I have the same problem. My standard old cell phone (2 years old nothing fancy) can live in the same pocket of my purse. Occassionally, my Prius will not sense the fob in that pocket or yell at me like my fob battery is going dead. I just jiggle the pocket or take the fob out and the car is happy.

Needless to say, I try to keep the fob in another purse pocket, but the phone pocket is so convenient and I still need to fish out the keys for the front door. How I wish I had Smart Key there. B)

Lisa

 

I have also noticed that problem with my MTS cell phone, which is company-provided. It's digital and CDMA 1X. If the cell phone is in the same pocket as the fob, I can't open the exterior door by touching the pad on the inside of the door handle. I can usually still power on the car though, once inside.

A co-worker has a Rogers Wireless cell phone, and I believe it's GSM. As an experiment, I put his cell phone in my pocket next to my fob, and have never had any issues.

Note the cell phone and the fob are on far different frequencies. I'm guessing the fob is either in the 40's MHz or 400's MHz, most digital cell phones are 1.8-2.2 GHz. Could be harmonics or the power level from the cell phone confusing/covering the fob power output?

 

I had two AAA batteries wrapped up in plastic in my pocket. The Fob was also in the same pocket, the car doors refused to lock or unlock, I forget which.

 

maybe we should make a list of which cell phones you guys are using and see if there's a connection between brand/carrier/etc and the key fob not working..

 

Ditto.

 

Which leads me to wonder, do batteries have field force lines, and do they inductively react with and interfere with the frequencies or force lines of either the cell phones or the Fobs. Those two AAA batteries certainly did interfere with the Fob. Or: Do the Electromagnetic force lines or frequencies of the devices somehow partially close the apparently open batteries. Interesting to ponder.

 

..............