'06 Prius starts by itself

check the 12v connections. it does weird things to have a loose connection there.

 

I've left my car (Dora) on routinely (although not over night.) Sometimes I don't hit the start button fully enough and I think I shut the car off.

Also, at night, the headlights do not shut off until I open the doors. The garage door light is pretty bright so I could see confusing the light of the garage for the light of the headlights.

I've learned to listen to Dora's warning beeps as I walk away from her after I've forgotten. She's pretty good at letting me know when I forget things.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dreichla @ Aug 14 2006, 05:13 AM) [snapback]302927[/snapback]</div>

This looks to me like a serious disadvantage of the SKS system. With my Prius I have to put the thingy in the slot before I can start it and for years I have had the habit of taking it out when I exit from the car, even if it is only for a few seconds.
For example after you've filled at the pump, you take the key out before you go to pay. There have been cases of a crook jumping in the car (not a Prius of course) and driving off whilst you're paying.

 

"This sort of thing has cropped up before, and it has always been due to human error." :_>

 

DH had a prius that started itself after you turned it off, turned out to be loose connections at the 12v battery. very simple fix.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dreichla @ Aug 14 2006, 03:13 AM) [snapback]302927[/snapback]</div>

It happens during daylight hours too.

BUT, they will automatically turn off ONLY when you power down the car and open the DRIVER'S DOOR.
The other doors will not turn off the headlights. <_<

If you are the type like me who rarely manually turns on and off the headlights (I use my HID headlights as daytime running lights) . . . This sets up a situation where you can enter the car through the front passenger side, turn the car on to 'â€IG-ON†(push power button twice without brake pedal), then power down the car and exit out the passenger door, lock the car (with no warning beeps) and walk away . . . WITH THE HEADLIGHTS STILL ON!!!!

Another situation would be entering the car through any door but not pressing the power button. If you then manually turn the headlights on, subsequently opening ANY door will not turn them off. If you open the driver door you will hear a headlight warning squeal. Opening any other door will not give the headlight warning squeal. In all cases you can SKS or remote lock the doors without further warning that the headlights are still on.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Aug 14 2006, 10:59 AM) [snapback]303086[/snapback]</div>

A loose connection to a battery can mimic a partially discharged battery. I wonder if a low 12-volt battery charge level can confuse the Prius computer into starting the car . . . just like galaxee's DH found would happen with a loose battery connection.
[hey, it's a theory to another cause of “auto-starting†Prii. :blink: ]

 

I realize this is an old post that i'm replying to, but I recently have had my 2007 Prius start on it's own. Very frightening. Is there a permanent fix for this yet?

 

Re: '06 Prius starts by itself

I don't think anyone else has had the problem so I don't see how a permanent fix would have been developed. If it is a true concern then I would take it to the dealer as you should still have a warranty on your car. If not then like mentioned a few years ago, just ensure you are fully turning the car off. If it continues to do this then see your local dealer. Turning itself on one time should not be alarming unless you are 100% certain you turned the car off completely. Humans has a terrible tendency to assume and that gets us into the worst trouble.

 

If the car was running when you walked up to it, it's almost certainly because you left it on. *Always* lock the car. If it's on (or in one of the most common battery-draining states, e.g., a door or the hatch open) it will give a long warning beep.

 

I try and leave my car running about once a week. Thank goodness the SKS won't let me lock the doors when it is still on.

 

Re: '06 Prius starts by itself

hi! this just happened to me: i walked out into the parking lot in the morning to find my 06' prius running and unlocked. so i took it to the dealer and they told me that there is no way that this could happen, but i am 500% positive i turned off the car. any answers???

 

Re: '06 Prius starts by itself

i honestly never heard this happening before.

 

Re: '06 Prius starts by itself

The odds are very good that you didn't turn it off. I know you are positive that you did, but it wouldn't be the first time this has happened. People do odd things from time to time.

Tom

 

*Always* lock the car. If you left it ON or a door ajar it'll beep at you.

 

Re: '06 Prius starts by itself

i leave my wife's hycam on a lot because it has a shifter and no park button. i put the shifter into park and leave the car running. but richard is right, if you try to lock it, it gives you a continuous beep.

 

This is the downside of the SKS system.

If you don't have to physically remove the fob from the car, it is just that much easier to leave the car actually running.

I'm glad I opted not to have the SKS on ours.