05 Prius no start no dash

Hello, gen 2 2005 Prius owner, bought used, it’s around 240k miles have had it two years no problems until recently, which I will try to keep short and sweet and divide into two sections.

2 months back, went to break to 7/11 from work, got back to car, wouldn’t start, no lights would work interior exterior, no dash, no touch screen, after getting in and out multiple times the red security key started blinking on the dash, started the car and left, this happened several more times with me figuring out I could slightly tap the 12v in the trunk, and it would bring the lights back on for the security, which was my Q that I can start the vehicle.

until yesterday, went to break no start, tricks wouldn’t work, said I’ll try again later, fast forward to end of day still no luck, but something strange this time, the dome lights work, when pushed on, but not when door is open, as well the little light on the push to start button works and shows as red, and the key fob when I press a button the car responds with a beep, in scenario 1 of the problems it wouldn’t do any of that.

I’m a car noob so bear with me on terminology, but a co worker was here with me and helped but we tested the 12volt in the trunk with multimeter, it was good, then we tested under the hood in the fusebox the positive terminal and used bolt up there for ground negative, also good.

what’s my next move to check, or any ideas or similar experience out there?

 

Fair play, and through reading various forums I actually was coming to that conclusion slowly, lots of similar problems reported but none exactly the same, and many comments like yours about testing under load. I will report back, thank you.

edit - no, the light does not work when door is open and set to door position on light, only when I manually press the dome light will it come on, and upon testing the dome light today it doesn’t come on at all.