2013 Prius here. Park button not doing what its supposed to do

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by chuckiechan, Oct 19, 2020.

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  1. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    Basically when I stop and shut off the car, the doors unlock with a audible “twhack”. Suddenly the sound has changed (much softer) and it’s not operating the door locks properly, but still doing its “Park” job OK.

    In the olden days, I would suggest maybe a $30 relay somewhere. But today?
    Any ideas as to how to fix it?

    Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 chuckiechan, Oct 19, 2020
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Maybe the 12v battery is getting weak? Have you checked the voltage?
    Possibly one of the locks are not locking. Do all the doors lock/unlock?
     
    #2 ASRDogman, Oct 19, 2020
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  3. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    I’ll check that out. Should the battery read 12V with a bolt meter? I’m still on the OEM battery. :eek:.
     
    #3 chuckiechan, Oct 19, 2020
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    12.4 minimum if healthy. 12.6+ better.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Oct 19, 2020
  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Depends on age of oem battery.
     
    #5 Grit, Oct 19, 2020
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  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Depends a lot on how charged it is. 12.7 or so is around full. Lower, it may still be an ok battery, just not fully charged. If you find it at low 12s or somewhere 11s, see what it reads after some nice overnight R&R on a charger.

    Regarding that all-around thwack when you park ... if it's that way because you really want it that way, good, but if you don't really care, that is an adjustable setting. I have mine set not to do it. I'll just lock or unlock a door when I want to.

    Those lock actuators, one in each door, do wear out. The Toyota replacements are $200-ish if I remember right. Each. Going through the car's life with all four of them set to thwack every single time you park or unpark is kind of a recipe for having them all conk out in rapid succession when the time comes.
     
    #6 ChapmanF, Oct 19, 2020
  7. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    The battery was 12.38, and the car had sat for three days. I’m planning to get a new bat asap anyway, since 2013 is old for a battery.

    I’ll post back when that is done with the result.
     
    #7 chuckiechan, Oct 20, 2020
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  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Yep, it's about time for a new one, 7 years, it's had a good life. :)


     
    #8 ASRDogman, Oct 20, 2020
  9. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    The locks seem to have fixed themselves for now.

    I plan to replace the battery because it’s time. Any tips or cautions? It’s described as “difficult”, but I have replaced my share of batteries.
     
    #9 chuckiechan, Oct 23, 2020
  10. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Source that said so?
     
    #10 Grit, Oct 23, 2020
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Not hard at all.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Oct 23, 2020
  12. Tekken

    Tekken Member

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    Sacramento weather should be 80-90ish on last 3 weeks. Make sure your gasket no leak.
     
    #12 Tekken, Oct 23, 2020
  13. chuckiechan

    chuckiechan Member

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    An on-line link said it was fairly difficult, but I rechecked. It’s just a tight fit and heavy, not to mention $200 + bucks.
    I’ll squeeze my gaskets tight when I lift ‘er in!

    Thanks all. I’ll be back if there are problems.
     
    #13 chuckiechan, Oct 23, 2020
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