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  1. Chthornton

    Chthornton New Member

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    Location:
    Santa Monica, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    The panic alarm on my 2005 Prius has been spontaneously going off. This happens when the car is locked, whether I am nearby with my fob, or miles away (unhappy neighbors have reported). I've taken my car in twice for this problem, but the service dept doesn't have a clue.
     
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Most likely you need a new 12V battery. When was it last replaced? If you say it hasn't been replaced, then there is your answer.

    Tom
     
  3. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    As jdenenberg notes:

    "There is a simple procedure to test the health of your 12v battery. I have documented it in several of these discussions. You can see the procedure at:
    Checking 12v Battery Health - Hybrid Car Forums
    It is also documented at
    12 Volt (12v) Toyota Prius Auxilary Battery for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 with installation kit and free shipping
    which sells high quality replacement batteries for the Prius."

    If you have a voltmeter you can also check "12V" battery voltage at the jump point under the hood. With the car OFF a perfect battery will be in the range 12.4 to 12.6 V. If it's less than 12.0 V it is near the end of its life.
     
  4. Chthornton

    Chthornton New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2009
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    Location:
    Santa Monica, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    The 12v battery was indeed low and Service replaced it. Problem with Panic Alarm still unsolved. Service then adjusted the sensitivity on the alarm system from 8 to 6. Alarm still is going off spontaneously when car is locked and doesn't seem to be related to vibrations by heavy vehicles driving by as suggested by Service. Aararrrgh! Don't know what to do.
     
  5. Tchou

    Tchou Member

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    is this alarm perimetric or volumetric ? or both ?
     
  6. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Location:
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    2004 Prius
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    Is this the factory-installed alarm, or some dealer-installed or other aftermarket junk?
     
  7. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    Is it the glass breakage alarm? If so, have it disconnected. I had it on my 04 and my brother-in-law had it on his 06. We both had them disconnected because of false alarms.
     
  8. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    The OEM alarm doesn't have a seismic sensor, so I suspect it is an aftermarket alarm. You can buy a glass breakage sensor for the OEM system, but I can't see how that would cause any trouble if no glass is broken.

    Tom