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Key fob problems

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by imlkrsfn2, Jan 15, 2017.

  1. imlkrsfn2

    imlkrsfn2 Junior Member

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    Hello all,

    Recently I went to start my car and it wouldn't start. Key fob works if I press lock or unlock buttons on it. However, if I just grab the door handle to open the door, it will not unlock like normal. I managed to get the car to start by holding the key fob to the power button. I had the same issue with my other key fob also. Any one have any ideas what the issue might be.

    The car is a 2015 with 41k miles.

    Thanks
     
    #1 imlkrsfn2, Jan 15, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the fob batteries need replacing. unusual for a 2015. are you storing them properly?
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 15, 2017
  3. imlkrsfn2

    imlkrsfn2 Junior Member

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    what would you consider properly?
    I leave the extra one at home in a drawer. The one that I use regularly stays in my pocket most of the time.

    It also seems unlikely that both fob batteries went out at the exact same time.
     
    #3 imlkrsfn2, Jan 15, 2017
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there is info in the o/m. don't store too close to the car, near cell phone's, etc.
     
    #4 bisco, Jan 15, 2017
  5. imlkrsfn2

    imlkrsfn2 Junior Member

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    alright thank you for your help. Come to think of it, that drawer may have had an old cell phone in it. I will try your recommendation to replace the batteries and I'll check back.

    Thanks
     
    #5 imlkrsfn2, Jan 15, 2017
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can test the voltage with an inexpensive meter. all the best!(y)
     
    #6 bisco, Jan 15, 2017
  7. imlkrsfn2

    imlkrsfn2 Junior Member

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    Follow up:

    I tried replacing the battery in one of the key fobs and still the same problem. Do you think it might be the proximity sensor in the car? Is this a known problem?
     
    #7 imlkrsfn2, Jan 17, 2017
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, but anything is possible i guess. also, it might be worth testing your 12 volt battery. and check the options screen to make sure the sks is turned on.
     
    #8 bisco, Jan 17, 2017
  9. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Taking the evidence piece by piece:

    Key fob works when lock/unlock buttons pressed ⇒ probably not a fob battery issue.

    Same issue with other fob ⇒ probably not two exactly coincident fob battery issues.

    Door handle proximity sensor won't unlock door, and power button requires fob held against it....

    Well, hmm. This is exactly how the car will behave if the smartkey function is turned off. In my 2010 you need to learn a crazy chicken dance with the driver's door switch if you want to turn smartkey on and off ... not the sort of thing you'd stumble into accidentally.

    I know later years of Gen 3 did introduce some access to car settings from the center touchscreen (I don't know whether smartkey on/off was one of them, offhand). Or, of course, it's probably accessible through apps like carista, etc.

    Any curious people with small hands in the household?

    -Chap
     
    #9 ChapmanF, Jan 17, 2017
  10. imlkrsfn2

    imlkrsfn2 Junior Member

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    Lol as it turns out my mom got her hands on my car and she said she was messing with the bluetooth settings. Turns out she also accidentally turned the sks settings off. Thanks again for everyone's help.
     
    #10 imlkrsfn2, Jan 18, 2017
    Bluegrassman, kc5dlo and bisco like this.
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    pleasure.
     
    #11 bisco, Jan 18, 2017
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i can never remember which years gen 3 has this.
     
    #12 bisco, Jan 18, 2017
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