2006 Prius just dies

TomLink · 01-20-2007, 06:49 PM

Hi,

My girlfriend borrowed the 2006 Prius because it is our new, reliable vehicle. She calls from the car ferry and says it won't turn on. They tried jumping, didn't help. She put the fob in the dash and it worked.

Other info: the fob was working to lock and unlock the doors, so it doesn't appear to be the fob battery.

Related question: in the energy use display, does the battery indicate how much charge it has? I haven't paid attention to that level, just the flow arrows. She says it looks low.

Could it be a problem with the "Power" button? Can she get it home using the fob in the car?

Thanks.

Tom Link
Tacoma, WA

**TonyPSchaefer** · 01-20-2007, 06:52 PM

Check under the steering wheel. There is a black button that disables the radio receiver that communicates between the car's "Smart Entry/Start" and the fob (not the AM/FM radio). When this is disabled, the car and the fob will not communicate.

If, by "fob works to lock and unlock" you mean actually pushing the buttons on the fob, that's not related to the button. Rather, see if the black buttons to lock and the "grabbing the handle" to unlock work. My guess is that they will not.

If that's the problem, tell your girlfriend that she is by far NOT the first person to accidentally hit that button with her knee.

Additionally, Welcome to PriusChat!!

[edited to clarify "radio receiver"]

john1701a · 01-20-2007, 06:58 PM

It could also be a "brake mistake", which is quite common to new owners.

Pressing it either too soon or forgetting entirely will prevent the car from starting.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 01-20-2007, 07:09 PM

About the battery states-of-charge (SOC). I know I'm going to get the numbers wrong but I'll still take a shot at it anyway.

When you see the battery as "full" in the picture, it is really at around 60% charged physically. Likewise, when you see the battery as "empty" in the picture, it is really around 40% charged physically. And you will so very rarely see either "full" or "empty" that you don't need to worry about it.

You see, the 'secret' behind Toyota's batteries lasting so long is that they are never allowed to fully charge or discharge. Under normal operating conditions, if the battery ever reaches almost 60% SOC, it will intentionally stop charging the battery. Some people report this condition on very long mountain descents when the wheels are charging the battery. By the time they reach the bottom, they hear some really weird sound coming from the car. This is the rarely heard sound of the Prius "dumping" energy.

So, in short, don't worry about it.

**efusco** · 01-20-2007, 10:16 PM

If the SKS works for the doors then it isn't an issue w/ the SKS disable button under the dash. If they also don't work then likely that button was accidently hit and just needs to be reset.

If the SKS works for the doors for sure and NOT for the power-up for sure then other possibilities have to be looked at.

1)Could be an issue w/ the cabin oscillator...may be disconnected, shorted, or just plain broken.

2)Could be interference...is there anything in the purse/pocket, whatever that could interfere w/ the signal from the fob?

3)Possibly a problem w/ the SKS ECU, though that seems a bit less likely since the doors work...you'd think the whole thing would go.

If the problem persists after looking into the interference issue, making sure the brake pedal was fully depressed, and that the SKS system wasn't accidently turned off then you'll have to see your dealer...the system is complicated and would need repair there.

richard schumacher · 01-21-2007, 01:01 PM

If she doesn't have much experience driving a Prius, sit in the passenger seat and watch her go through the whole cycle a few times: getting in, starting it, driving a little, stopping it, getting out. You may find a problem.

**efusco** · 01-21-2007, 03:00 PM

One other thought...sometimes the fob will continue to work with the remote button on the doors for a few operations even when the SKS won't work to start the car...so don't rule out an 'almost dead' battery in the fob.

hjon71 · 01-21-2007, 03:31 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Jan 20 2007, 06:52 PM) [snapback]378399[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Check under the steering wheel. There is a black button that disables the radio receiver that communicates between the car's "Smart Entry/Start" and the fob (not the AM/FM radio). When this is disabled, the car and the fob will not communicate.

If, by "fob works to lock and unlock" you mean actually pushing the buttons on the fob, that's not related to the button. Rather, see if the black buttons to lock and the "grabbing the handle" to unlock work. My guess is that they will not.

If that's the problem, tell your girlfriend that she is by far NOT the first person to accidentally hit that button with her knee.

Additionally, Welcome to PriusChat!!

[edited to clarify "radio receiver"]
[/b]

I would like to "second " this opinion. The lock/unlock buttons on the fob are not a function of SKS. And yes those buttons will continue to work if SKS is diabled, and the car will start and run just fine with the fob in the dash. List this under one of those been there done that categories. Also this very issue is adressed in the Owners manual.

TomLink · 01-24-2007, 05:41 PM

Hi again,

Thanks for all the ideas. It was the button underneath the dash - there are 2, it's the Key one that matters.

Also, great info on the battery display.

Thanks, Tom

01-20-2007, 06:52 PM	#2
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,498 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 165 Times in 106 Posts Friends: 23	Check under the steering wheel. There is a black button that disables the radio receiver that communicates between the car's "Smart Entry/Start" and the fob (not the AM/FM radio). When this is disabled, the car and the fob will not communicate. If, by "fob works to lock and unlock" you mean actually pushing the buttons on the fob, that's not related to the button. Rather, see if the black buttons to lock and the "grabbing the handle" to unlock work. My guess is that they will not. If that's the problem, tell your girlfriend that she is by far NOT the first person to accidentally hit that button with her knee. Additionally, Welcome to PriusChat!! [edited to clarify "radio receiver"] __________________ Proud father of Priapus: the '04 Tideland BC9 with an OEM EV button and sense of self-righteousness Current Mileage Chicago Prius Group Website Chicago Hybrid Group on FaceBook Find me on faceBook

01-20-2007, 10:16 PM	#5
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,231 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	If the SKS works for the doors then it isn't an issue w/ the SKS disable button under the dash. If they also don't work then likely that button was accidently hit and just needs to be reset. If the SKS works for the doors for sure and NOT for the power-up for sure then other possibilities have to be looked at. 1)Could be an issue w/ the cabin oscillator...may be disconnected, shorted, or just plain broken. 2)Could be interference...is there anything in the purse/pocket, whatever that could interfere w/ the signal from the fob? 3)Possibly a problem w/ the SKS ECU, though that seems a bit less likely since the doors work...you'd think the whole thing would go. If the problem persists after looking into the interference issue, making sure the brake pedal was fully depressed, and that the SKS system wasn't accidently turned off then you'll have to see your dealer...the system is complicated and would need repair there. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD "It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word." -Andrew Jackson

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01-20-2007, 06:49 PM	#1
TomLink Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hi, My girlfriend borrowed the 2006 Prius because it is our new, reliable vehicle. She calls from the car ferry and says it won't turn on. They tried jumping, didn't help. She put the fob in the dash and it worked. Other info: the fob was working to lock and unlock the doors, so it doesn't appear to be the fob battery. Related question: in the energy use display, does the battery indicate how much charge it has? I haven't paid attention to that level, just the flow arrows. She says it looks low. Could it be a problem with the "Power" button? Can she get it home using the fob in the car? Thanks. Tom Link Tacoma, WA

01-20-2007, 06:58 PM	#3
john1701a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,375 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 9 Thanked 145 Times in 70 Posts Friends: 12	It could also be a "brake mistake", which is quite common to new owners. Pressing it either too soon or forgetting entirely will prevent the car from starting.

01-20-2007, 07:09 PM	#4
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,498 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 165 Times in 106 Posts Friends: 23	About the battery states-of-charge (SOC). I know I'm going to get the numbers wrong but I'll still take a shot at it anyway. When you see the battery as "full" in the picture, it is really at around 60% charged physically. Likewise, when you see the battery as "empty" in the picture, it is really around 40% charged physically. And you will so very rarely see either "full" or "empty" that you don't need to worry about it. You see, the 'secret' behind Toyota's batteries lasting so long is that they are never allowed to fully charge or discharge. Under normal operating conditions, if the battery ever reaches almost 60% SOC, it will intentionally stop charging the battery. Some people report this condition on very long mountain descents when the wheels are charging the battery. By the time they reach the bottom, they hear some really weird sound coming from the car. This is the rarely heard sound of the Prius "dumping" energy. So, in short, don't worry about it.

01-21-2007, 01:01 PM	#6
richard schumacher Destination: Eschaton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 5,508 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 99 Thanked 93 Times in 66 Posts Friends: 0	If she doesn't have much experience driving a Prius, sit in the passenger seat and watch her go through the whole cycle a few times: getting in, starting it, driving a little, stopping it, getting out. You may find a problem.

01-21-2007, 03:00 PM	#7
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,231 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	One other thought...sometimes the fob will continue to work with the remote button on the doors for a few operations even when the SKS won't work to start the car...so don't rule out an 'almost dead' battery in the fob.

01-24-2007, 05:41 PM	#9
TomLink Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hi again, Thanks for all the ideas. It was the button underneath the dash - there are 2, it's the Key one that matters. Also, great info on the battery display. Thanks, Tom