New smart key problem

[blueberry]

Hello all, my smart key has quit. I didn't find quite this problem, so I hope it isn't a duplication. Had the car two months, got in today and got the amber key and exclamation light. Car won't start without key in dash, doors won't open automatically, doors won't lock with the door button. The under-dash button was tried to no avail. Doors don't respond with the fob buttons to lock or unlock. The fob red light comes on, so should I try a battery anyway? I am taking it in to the dealer tomorrow unless I get a fix here. Both fobs same way, like something blocking the signal.
Help!

[Betelgeuse]

Hmmm. Weird. All of your problems are consistent with something wrong with your fob. Have you tried your second fob? Even though the light is on, I might be tempted to try a new battery; it's cheap and easy to replace and you don't have to deal with the dealer. There's no way that a 2 month old fob should have a dead battery, but I'd still start there to see if that fixes it.

If your second fob doesn't work either, than that points to a system-wide problem with the SKS; definitely something your dealer should fix. If only one fob works, then that suggests a problem with the other fob; also something your dealer should fix. But I'd try the battery first. . .

[ceric]

From what you described, my guess is that the central unit of SKS has failed. You need to bring it to the dealer.

P.S. Central unit is the electronic unit that collects inputs from all SKS sensors (3 exterior, and 2 interior) and grant various accesses.

[blueberry]

Originally Posted by ceric

From what you described, my guess is that the central unit of SKS has failed. You need to bring it to the dealer.

P.S. Central unit is the electronic unit that collects inputs from all SKS sensors (3 exterior, and 2 interior) and grant various accesses.

Ouch, hope they don't have to tear it apart for that! I should have stopped on the way home today for a battery, too late now. Both fobs are involved, so it would seem system wide. Glad it still starts to drive anyway. Ah, the wonder of computers! Thanks for your input.

[Betelgeuse]

If both fobs are affected, I would think it has to be something significant with the car (and not the keys). The fact that the fob lock/unlock buttons don't work is pretty significant; this suggests that it's something beyond the SKS button being turned off (or some other small problem). I suspect that this is something that the dealer will have to deal with, unfortunately.

[qbee42]

Have you tried it at a different location? Radio interference would prevent both keys from working.

Tom

[blueberry]

Originally Posted by qbee42

Have you tried it at a different location? Radio interference would prevent both keys from working.

Tom

Yes, discovered the problem at home, on to a good friend who is also a prius owner, we didn't come up with anything there, then ran it by the dealer to no avail. Dropped it off this morning, and as of about 6pm my time, they were having no luck at all. I'm not happy with that development, said they will continue troubleshooting tomorrow.
Should I suggest checking the central unit for the SKS? They would sure wonder where I came up with that! Surely they will be able to fix it.

[qbee42]

Sure, they will be able to fix it. If it is the main SKS controller, yours wouldn't be the first to fail.

Tom

[blueberry]

Originally Posted by qbee42

Sure, they will be able to fix it. If it is the main SKS controller, yours wouldn't be the first to fail.

Tom

That is good to hear...we had an Excursion that had issues for 4 or 5 trips to the dealer, finally found a sensor that was malfunctioning. Wouldn't post a code in the computer, they had a terrible time. I hope this resolves itself quicker than that, like tomorrow! I'm driving my husband's Camry hybrid, but I miss my little car.

[blueberry]

So two days into diagnoses...still nothing. A SKS ecu (I believe) on order, should be in tomorrow and we'll see. They do have another prius there to "borrow" from to try other things he said if the ordered ecu doesn't cut it. The plot thickens.