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Smart key system acting up

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Kristenbluefin, Nov 1, 2021.

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  1. Kristenbluefin

    Kristenbluefin Junior Member

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    So a few months ago the smart key I had been using started to go unrecognized by the car if after initial startup a door was opened and closed it would take a minute to recognize the key and stop beeping. After a couple weeks or so of that that key stopped being recognized at all. It does still work if I put in directly into the dash slot. Battery is not the issue, changed it with more than one new one from more than one source.

    So I stopped using that key. Since then I have been using a different one that is still working with sks, however it is also starting to do the same thing if anyone gets in or out it beeps at me and says no key, even if I remain inside the car with the key. This key also has a strong battery.

    With key #1 I did the reprogramming thing many times, it did respond sometimes but sks still wouldn't work. There was one time it worked a few times after but not even a full

    Key #1 had been worn out previously and I had swapped it into a new casing...but I had used it for a few months after that and was working fine until it stopped.

    I have also recently replaced the 12v. But this was already an issue before that. I thought maybe that would be the solution. It was not.

    Any idea what could be causing this?
     
  2. burrito

    burrito Active Member

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    It sure seems like a dying fob battery. Maybe you could try batteries from Costco, or somewhere else where you can very easily return them.
     
  3. Kristenbluefin

    Kristenbluefin Junior Member

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    I had originally got some from amazon, when it started acting up I went to Meijer and got energizer, when those acted the same I went to a hardware store and got duracell. I checked the dates on the packages.
     
  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I don't think so.

    I believe that the SKS security system does NOT depend on the battery in the FOB.......but instead is an RFID type of operation.
    This would tend to indicate that the SKS system is going bad.

    It could be fixed but that cost is likely to be prohibitive.
    The dealer can also turn it OFF.
     
  5. burrito

    burrito Active Member

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    I wouldn't trust Amazon batteries any more than dollar store batteries, but the others likely legit. This makes me think the battery is not the problem. However, if the SKS system failed, I would expect both fobs to fail at the same time, which didn't happen to you. That certainly doesn't make it impossible, but I think I'm out of ideas at this point.
     
  6. Kristenbluefin

    Kristenbluefin Junior Member

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    With they key that still works I never have any issues getting in or starting the car, it only stops being detected for maybe 30 seconds or so after one of the doors open to let someone in or out.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    check the 12 volt health, how old is it?
     
  8. Kristenbluefin

    Kristenbluefin Junior Member

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    I replaced it after this starting thinking it may be the fix.
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can you check the voltage?
     
  10. Kristenbluefin

    Kristenbluefin Junior Member

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    Probably would have to go to autozone for that. It was a new battery from batteries plus, the duracell was what they had in stock. You think that is likely to be the issue? It was probably August when I replaced the 12 v.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i can't say likely, just possibly. they don't always come fully charged, and it's an easy check while you await more answers.
    in a 16 year old car, there are many possibilities.
     
  12. Kristenbluefin

    Kristenbluefin Junior Member

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    Yeah, worth checking. I really thought that was gonna be the problem when I changed it because I didn't even know how old the last one was and I've had the car a few years.
     
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  13. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Au contraire, the SKS transmitter in the fob very much relies on a good working CR2032 battery. The RFID chip is a fallback for when the battery goes flat and requires very close proximity to work so the fob needs to be in the slot to be used this way.
    Even so, you need to actually check the voltage (you shouldn't have to but ...) with a voltmeter. I have bought new batteries and when tested they were flat. A new battery should test 3.3 - 3.4 V. Once the battery is in 2.8 - 2.9 V territory, it will not work very reliably in the fob.
     
  14. Kristenbluefin

    Kristenbluefin Junior Member

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    Thanks. I'll have to get a volt meter and see if that may be the issue.
     
  15. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I just tested it with my C and it seems that you are correct.
    I would go back and correct my previous post......but the system won't let me.
    :(