Key alert while car is in drive

emtownsend · 10-11-2007, 11:53 AM

OK, here is a wierd one... I carpool. When I drop the other person off in front of his workplace, and after they open and close the front passanger door, the yellow key-fob alert comes on. (The one that comes on when the car is running but you take the wireless fob away...)
It does this every time I drop him off now; and only in front of his work. Is it interference from the place of business? (It is a building downtown that houses 6 floors of differing businesses).
Is it the keyfob battery?
Do these keyfobs use a fairly common radio frequency?
The car never dies, and the alert goes off after I pull away from his workplace...
Thanks!

narf · 10-11-2007, 12:20 PM

The smartkey fobs have been known to be jammed by other electronic equipment in close proximity. There have been times when I have had to move my cellphone or MP3 player to another pocket before the car sees the fob.

Once the car starts, it won't shut down just because it can't see the fob (that would be a serious safety issue).

I think the smart key receiver is between the seats below the armrest box. Are they putting something on the box when they get ready to leave?

emtownsend · 10-11-2007, 12:26 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(narf @ Oct 11 2007, 11:20 AM) [snapback]524121[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The smartkey fobs have been known to be jammed by other electronic equipment in close proximity. There have been times when I have had to move my cellphone or MP3 player to another pocket before the car sees the fob.

Once the car starts, it won't shut down just because it can't see the fob (that would be a serious safety issue).

I think the smart key receiver is between the seats below the armrest box. Are they putting something on the box when they get ready to leave?
[/b]

Ah! Could very well be his cell phone. He just activated a new one... and this problem just started a couple weeks ago. He holds it while in the car and moves it to the center when he goes to open the door! Thanks!

DaveinOlyWA · 10-11-2007, 12:45 PM

intreresting.... dont think its his cellphone per se... does he use BT?

emtownsend · 10-11-2007, 01:54 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Oct 11 2007, 11:45 AM) [snapback]524138[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

intreresting.... dont think its his cellphone per se... does he use BT?
[/b]

Not that I know of, but I will ask.

Stringmike · 10-11-2007, 02:13 PM

Possibly electromagnetic interference from an automatic door-opener? Some use ultrasound as the detector, but many also still use radio frequencies. Does the building have one of these?

Mike

terryonmac · 11-13-2007, 06:45 PM

My 2008 does the same thing. But it does go away after a minute or so. I have a phone in the console with bluetooth on.

personallyuneek · 11-14-2007, 09:56 AM

Maybe if we put our scenarios together, we can find the common denominator.. I don't think a phone that is off would effect the fob or antenna...

My 08 has had 3 different time where it has 'no keyed' me. Goes away after a few seconds

all different locations
no passengers (no Friends)

No bluetooth (too Cheap)

phone in various locations

I do have a Mobil speed pass and thought that might be a factor.

10-11-2007, 11:53 AM	#1
emtownsend Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Post Falls, ID Posts: 109 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	OK, here is a wierd one... I carpool. When I drop the other person off in front of his workplace, and after they open and close the front passanger door, the yellow key-fob alert comes on. (The one that comes on when the car is running but you take the wireless fob away...) It does this every time I drop him off now; and only in front of his work. Is it interference from the place of business? (It is a building downtown that houses 6 floors of differing businesses). Is it the keyfob battery? Do these keyfobs use a fairly common radio frequency? The car never dies, and the alert goes off after I pull away from his workplace... Thanks! __________________ 2007 Prius, Package #6, Barcelona Red

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10-11-2007, 12:20 PM	#2
narf Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 525 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The smartkey fobs have been known to be jammed by other electronic equipment in close proximity. There have been times when I have had to move my cellphone or MP3 player to another pocket before the car sees the fob. Once the car starts, it won't shut down just because it can't see the fob (that would be a serious safety issue). I think the smart key receiver is between the seats below the armrest box. Are they putting something on the box when they get ready to leave?

10-11-2007, 12:45 PM	#4
DaveinOlyWA Opps !! I Did it Again!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 9,661 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	intreresting.... dont think its his cellphone per se... does he use BT?

10-11-2007, 02:13 PM	#6
Stringmike Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 70 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Possibly electromagnetic interference from an automatic door-opener? Some use ultrasound as the detector, but many also still use radio frequencies. Does the building have one of these? Mike

11-13-2007, 06:45 PM	#7
terryonmac Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 6 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My 2008 does the same thing. But it does go away after a minute or so. I have a phone in the console with bluetooth on.

11-14-2007, 09:56 AM	#8
personallyuneek Yankee fan in New England Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NorthEast Posts: 45 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Maybe if we put our scenarios together, we can find the common denominator.. I don't think a phone that is off would effect the fob or antenna... My 08 has had 3 different time where it has 'no keyed' me. Goes away after a few seconds all different locations no passengers (no Friends) No bluetooth (too Cheap) phone in various locations I do have a Mobil speed pass and thought that might be a factor.