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Car thinks there is a key inside???

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Ianmeister, Mar 23, 2023.

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  1. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    Hey all! So my 2007 is acting like I’ve left a key inside when I shut it off and walk away. It beeps 3 times, won’t allow a lock, and gives a yellow light icon of a key with an exclamation point. I only have one key. What the heck is going on? TIA!!
     
    #1 Ianmeister, Mar 23, 2023
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    How healthy is the 12v battery?
     
    #2 SFO, Mar 23, 2023
  3. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

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    Has it always done that or did you just get the car? If the latter, the simplest explanation is that the previous owner dropped a fob in the car and its battery is still active. Does the car have the smart key? If so, leave the other fob far away and see if the car will start anyway when you push the start button. That should only happen if there is a fob somewhere in the car. Most likely locations are: wedged in next to one of the front seats, in one of the many storage slots in the center console, under the mats, in the glovebox, in the storage slots in the doors. If the car has a glasses holder near the front of the ceiling, look there too.
     
    #3 pasadena_commut, Mar 23, 2023
  4. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    it just started doing it, and it won’t start with the fob away from the car. Now that SFO mentions it, the 12v is a bit elderly. Stay tuned!
     
    #4 Ianmeister, Mar 24, 2023
  5. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    ok 12v reads 14 with the car on, 11.8 off. Time for a battery!
     
    #5 Ianmeister, Mar 24, 2023
  6. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Doesn't the car beep when the fob battery is detected as getting weak? Maybe it's telling you to replace a $4 battery and not a $200 battery.
     
    #6 TMR-JWAP, Mar 24, 2023
  7. dbstoo

    dbstoo Senior Member

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    My wife had a similar problem when she rented a car from hertz. She could not get it to stay locked. She found the spare key fob in an envelope in the spare tire compartment. It had fallen out of it's silvered mylar envelope.

    If the extra fob is near the diver's seat, it should start with the main fob 30 feet away. If the extra key is in the back seat or trunk it will not start.
     
    #7 dbstoo, Mar 24, 2023
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    I have gotten the ‘key detected in car’ message occasionally.
    No idea why
     
    #8 bisco, Mar 24, 2023
  9. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    Hmmmmm, thing is that it’s inconsistent. Sometimes it’s fine, sometimes wonky.
     
    #9 Ianmeister, Mar 24, 2023
  10. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    ah yes. I forgot to mention that. I did replace the CR 2032 battery
     
    #10 Ianmeister, Mar 24, 2023
  11. Ianmeister

    Ianmeister Active Member

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    yeah. It just comes and goes. Weird.
     
    #11 Ianmeister, Mar 26, 2023
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe a funky ecu or connection
     
    #12 bisco, Mar 26, 2023
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