Another question-battery related?

Hello again, folks. I posted a while ago about my battery going dead twice. Since then all has been well and the battery "checked" ok. Right. Anyway, at the Drs. today, I went to get out of the car and it beeped like the key was still in the ignition. I turned the car on again, waited a minute and shut it down. Still beeped but had to go to the appointment, so locked the car and left. An hour later, car still beeped when I opened the door but started up OK. Is the beep a code for low starting battery or something else? It doesn't usually beep like that. Thanks for the input. VK with "Squirrel", 2005 Prius, 11K miles.

 

Hello again, folks. I posted a while ago about my battery going dead twice. Since then all has been well and the battery "checked" ok. Right. Anyway, at the Drs. today, I went to get out of the car and it beeped like the key was still in the ignition. I turned the car on again, waited a minute and shut it down. Still beeped but had to go to the appointment, so locked the car and left. An hour later, car still beeped when I opened the door but started up OK. Is the beep a code for low starting battery or something else? It doesn't usually beep like that. Thanks for the input. VK with "Squirrel", 2005 Prius, 11K miles.

 

Neither, darn it. Headlights are off. Only key was with me. It's almost like the car isn't shutting down when the Off button is pushed, but all the dash lights go out, etc. The beep is driving me nuts.

I had been listening to the radio for a few minutes. Turned the car to off, waited a minute, then on without pushing the brake pedal to use the radio. When I was going to leave, pushing the off button turned the car "on" then one more push and all shut down. I'm wondering if it's getting "hung up" in between somehow.

Each time this problem surfaces, there's a different set of circumstances. I assumed the beep meant the starting battery was low, but that wasn't the case this time. The car is trying to tell me something, but what??? Thanks for the ideas. VK

 

Hi Danny, thanks. My car has a lower cost package, without the navigation system and fancy key. It does have the key fob to lock/unlock. Could the package be a #2? I'm not sure what a SKS is.

Will try and answer the questions:
1) The car beeps when I turn the it off and continues when I pull the key.
2) Continues to beep when the driver's door is opened.
3)I don't use the lock button on the door, only the key fob. I'm not sure if it continues to beep when the door is closed (can't hear it) or when I lock the car.
4) The car beeps when I return and open the door.
5) The beeps are fairly short/quick and all the same length, a little quicker than a second. They don't seem to stop, in other words, countless. Sort of like the seat belt beep. (you know how it just goes on and on?)

I appreciate all the help I've been getting. I'll add a little more: the doors are not ajar. The rear cargo light is turned off, with the bulb removed. (I have my tools back there and sometimes have the hatch open for quite a while during the day) I always lock it when I'm gone. I believe the starting battery would have gone dead at the Doc's if the car had been left for a long period-was only at his office for an hour.

The first time the battery went dead, I had left the cargo door ajar. (yes, it was but no bulb in the light) The car locked itself with the key fob and signaled the lights the night before. The 2nd time was at work. I started the car to crack the windows. When turned off, I vaguely remember it beeping? Again, the car locked. About three hours later, wouldn't start.

Hope this has given you some info. Maybe this is the signal for a bad battery? I hate to take it to the dealer just to be told nothing's wrong again. This is intermittant-and won't happen on command....VK

 

Bob64, I am suspecting something like that. It's almost as if the car thinks the key is still in the ignition when I remove it. That's the beep, anyway. With the intermittant nature of the failure, I have hesitated but guess another trip to the dealer is in order. So far, I am happy with their service. It's just when it comes to batteries, it's very hard to prove there is a problem...VK

PS: I appreciate the ideas you all have given. Again, I will say: no doors ajar, car always locked, hatch light not on, etc. The starting battery may be bad, but why would it work fine for a week or two, then randomly fail? Thank you.