Electrical problem causing auto-lock to malfunction

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by earlytomorrow, Jan 28, 2017.

  1. earlytomorrow

    earlytomorrow Junior Member

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    I have a 2008 Prius and last night the doors would not unlock with the key fob. The car recognized the key fob since the tail lights came on and beeped, but the doors didn't respond. The doors aren't unlocking even from the door panel. I had the car battery checked by AAA and they are working fine. The tech also tried to do a couple of different manual resets, but it made no difference. The windows roll down from the door panel, but the door does not unlock.

    I'm taking it to Toyota on Wednesday to have to diagnosed, but i would like to see if anyone else has had this issue.

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    #1 earlytomorrow, Jan 28, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i don't trust triple 1 to tet the battery, any idea how old it is? do you have sks system, where you can keep the fob in your pocket and touch the handle to lock and unlock?
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 28, 2017
  3. earlytomorrow

    earlytomorrow Junior Member

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    The car battery is only a couple of years old. He ran a test and showed me the result so it was good. I can keep the key in my purse and the door will unlock, so I guess i do have thay SKS system.

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    #3 earlytomorrow, Jan 28, 2017
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks. i don't know if there is a fuse for the door locks, might be worth checking.
     
    #4 bisco, Jan 28, 2017
  5. earlytomorrow

    earlytomorrow Junior Member

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    The mechanic didn't think it could be that since the door isnt unlocking from the door panel either. I'm not sure about how to check the fuse.

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    #5 earlytomorrow, Jan 28, 2017
  6. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    This sounds very much like one of the door lock actuators has failed.
    You need to test and observe each of them individually while trying to lock/unlock.
    When mine went bad, the one that failed was rather obvious.
    When you heard the other ones click, the bad one only moved half way or less.

    Note: If that IS the problem and you don't have an extended warranty, the dealer cost of replacing one actuator usually is over $300.
     
    #6 Sam Spade, Jan 29, 2017
  7. earlytomorrow

    earlytomorrow Junior Member

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    It was the fuse. Replaced it this morning and it all works now. Crazy that neither AAA nor the mechanic thought of that.

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    #7 earlytomorrow, Jan 29, 2017
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    knowing aaa and some mechanics, unfortunately, not really...
     
    #8 bisco, Jan 29, 2017
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  9. earlytomorrow

    earlytomorrow Junior Member

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    #9 earlytomorrow, Jan 29, 2017
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hopefuly a fluke, and fuse doesn't pop again. if it does, you'll be looking at wiring, or maybe a bad actuator.
     
    #10 bisco, Jan 29, 2017
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  11. earlytomorrow

    earlytomorrow Junior Member

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    #11 earlytomorrow, Jan 29, 2017
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes, they are expensive. maybe ebay or salvage. there are also threads here on rebuilding them for pennies, but it's tricky.
     
    #12 bisco, Jan 29, 2017
  13. earlytomorrow

    earlytomorrow Junior Member

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    Yeah, looking at them now. May be worth $300 to have toyota do it then.

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    #13 earlytomorrow, Jan 29, 2017
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