Flashing orange/reddish car icon with black key in middle

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by dougdonna, Apr 28, 2005.

  1. dougdonna

    dougdonna New Member

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    all! We're new to Priusing, and generally loving it. The dope: we have a used 2004 Prius with about 16K miles on it. Works like a dream (we've put 2000 miles since we bought it a month ago from a Toyota dealer in NJ). However, tonight upon turning off the car, this wacky orange-reddish car-with-black-key-inside light began blinking when you take the key out and remains blinking. When the key's in, it goes away. Problem with the fob "entry hole" (for lack of a better term)? We tried both our keys, drove it around a bit. No dice. It blinks still. I hope it doesn't drain the battery--can't imagine it would.

    Anyone ever heard of this, or can someone direct me to a previous post? We searched around and didn't find much.

    Many thanks, and greetings fellow Prians!

    Best, Doug and Donna
     
    #1 dougdonna, Apr 28, 2005
  2. flareak

    flareak Fleet Captain

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    does it blink even if you take it out, step out of the car, and lock the car????
     
    #2 flareak, Apr 28, 2005
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It's called the alarm (to use the general term. It's there whether you actually have the alarm or just the immobiliser). It's to tell you and potential thieves that the car is armed, that is, assuming you've met flareak's criteria.
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Apr 28, 2005
  4. KMO

    KMO Senior Member

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    I take it they don't bother supplying manuals with the car any more...
     
    #4 KMO, Apr 28, 2005
  5. dougdonna

    dougdonna New Member

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    all:

    Thanks for the quick responses! Unfortunately, we were not given an owner's manual (it was used); I've seen that we can get one via Toyota or on eBay or whatnot, which we shall do. We've found some unofficial ones online as well -- sorry if this was a dumb question.

    To reply to the first response, yes, it occurs when the car is "totally off," doors locked, and we walk away. The funny thing is, we've done the exact same shut-down procedure since we bought it a month ago; only yesterday did it start giving us this new blinking icon. So, if it's a normal occurrence, 'tis still a bit of a mystery why it decided to start working last night. There's no way we both would have missed it up to now.

    That's why I was concerned that it was some kind of electrical/computer issue, possibly the tip of some iceberg of problems.

    Does that help clarify?

    Thanks again, Prians!
     
    #5 dougdonna, Apr 28, 2005
  6. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    The immobilizer icon is red with a horizontal key. That is normal, it will blink when you power down, stop blinking for 30 seconds when you close and lock all doors, and then continue blinking. If this is what you are describing, it has always been there and you just have been missing it.

    Now there's an amber icon of a car with an '!' in the middle, that means either you walked away with the fob with the car on, or you tried to power on without a valid fob.
     
    #6 DanMan32, Apr 28, 2005
  7. dougdonna

    dougdonna New Member

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    Thanks, DanMan32! I still can't believe we've been missing it, but if it's normal, I'll consider it normal till proven otherwise. :) It actually starts blinking not when we power down, but when we pull the actual fob out after powering down (if I'm describing this correctly) and it doesn't stop for 30 seconds; it just starts blinking and goes.

    Btw, here's how we were told to power down at the Toyota dealership:

    1. Hit the Park button.
    2. Hit the Power button.
    3. Engage the parking brake.
    4. Pull out the key

    I sure hope that's correct!

    It's definitely not the amber "!" light, so I think we're good on that front.

    Thanks, again, all!
     
    #7 dougdonna, Apr 28, 2005
  8. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    Step 1 is optional, it will automatically go to park when you power down. I do it anyway.

    Step 3 is optional from a technical standpoint, though it might be a good idea on a hill.

    Step 4 is only needed if you don't have SKS or did not take advantage of it.
     
    #8 DanMan32, Apr 28, 2005
  9. Sufferin' Prius Envy

    Sufferin' Prius Envy Platinum Member

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    Re: Flashing orange/reddish car icon with black key in middl

    What color is the Toyota logo on your key fob?

    If it is silver you have the Smart Key System (SKS) and oh, will you be supprised!!! . . . no need to plug the fob into the hole to start the car . . . unless the fob battery is dead. (Actually, no need to pull the fob out of your pocket or purse for unlocking the doors, starting the car, or locking the doors when leaving.)

    If it is gold you do not have Smart Key and need to plug it in.

    I’m just curious because the symptoms you describe could be because you have Smart Key and don’t know it. Some dealers are dumb that way.
     
    #9 Sufferin' Prius Envy, Apr 28, 2005
  10. dougdonna

    dougdonna New Member

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    SPE!

    My fob is black...so what does that mean? By "fob" I mean the little rectangular thing I stick in the "fobhole," to get all technical on y'all, and (more seriously) to make sure I'm using the right term. It's basically the "key." It's got a "lock icon," an "unlock icon," and a red "panic button" -- plus a little metal old-school key that slides in the side. Donna's fob is identical.

    Thanks!
     
    #10 dougdonna, Apr 28, 2005
  11. jeromep

    jeromep Member

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    Re: Flashing orange/reddish car icon with black key in middl

    Flip the fob over. On the back of it there is a Toyota Logo. If it is silver you have Smart Key. If it is some other color other than silver, then you do not have Smart Key and you must use the buttons on the remote to unlock and lock the vehicle. Another way to identify if you have Smart Key or not is to look at your front door handels. If they have a little black button on them, and the interior of the handle has a black lining, you have Smart Key. If not, you have the regular entry system.

    I hope you do have smart key, because it is really cool and very convenient, however if not, no biggie because you still have an amazing car otherwise.
     
    #11 jeromep, Apr 28, 2005
  12. dougdonna

    dougdonna New Member

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    Hey, jeromep!

    Thanks for the info! Looks like I don't have smart entry, but you're absolutely right: this car kicks butt. I love it. I'm averaging 50 mpg; the darn thing actually teaches you how to drive more fuel-efficiently!
     
    #12 dougdonna, Apr 28, 2005
  13. removeum

    removeum Member

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    Re: Flashing orange/reddish car icon with black key in middl

    8) dougdonna,

    Important information for those without manuals.
     
    #13 removeum, Apr 28, 2005
  14. dougdonna

    dougdonna New Member

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    Thanks, removeum!
     
    #14 dougdonna, Apr 29, 2005
  15. Papagena

    Papagena New Member

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    Re: Flashing orange/reddish car icon with black key in middl

    Help, please, with this crazy light! I have the SmartEntry/Start and love it. Today when I put the car in Park, before turning it off, that red icon with the key came on. It stayed on until I turned the car on again. (Key stays in my purse.) After turning off the car, the light also stays on when I exit the car and lock it with the key fob, OR lock it by pushing the button by the door handle. It stays on when I exit and don't lock it. This means: it just stays on. What can I do to make the light behave properly?

    I read somewhere that keeping the key near a cell phone causes problems. Why? Has that happened here?

    Otherwise my Prius is Perfect!

    Thanks for your help,
    Papagena
     
    #15 Papagena, Aug 13, 2005
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