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Key not detected....but it's in the car?!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by deltron3030, Jun 20, 2010.

  1. deltron3030

    deltron3030 New Member

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    I've had this happen twice now:
    I got my gen3 in October 09' and lately the car has said the key wasn't present though it was sitting on the passenger seat.
    I had to put the fob up to the start button just to get my car started.

    The fob battery seems fine and I don't really think it'd be time to change them yet...or is it?
     
    #1 deltron3030, Jun 20, 2010
  2. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    How about it letting you in the door? Does the red LED on the keyfob flash at about 3 feet from the door of the locked car? If it's reliable letting you in the door and the keyfob LED flashes, then I'd say that the keyfob is OK.

    Does the problem occur at a consistent location? Like the parking lot where you work, but not at home? There are areas where the radio interference is so bad that the keyfob communications can be drowned out. I've occasionally had problems with the door, but never with the Power button.
     
    #2 RobH, Jun 20, 2010
  3. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    RobH has some excellent points in his post. I usually get that message if you don't get your rear hatch or a door closed all the way. Usually, it's the rear hatch. I've never had the starting issue with the power button though when this happens.
     
    #3 Mark57, Jun 20, 2010
  4. DetPrius

    DetPrius Active Member

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    I've had this happen a couple times in my 2010 while the key was sitting in the center console under the bridge. I moved it a few inches and it was OK. It seems there is a dead spot.
     
    #4 DetPrius, Jun 20, 2010
  5. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    This happened to me twice and my 2010 Prius is just one year old...probably happened about 4 and 6 months ago. No matter what I did the car kept saying to hold the key next to the power button. Both times I had just gotten into the car with the key in my pocket and the door unlocked and opened normally. Each time it was in a different place.

    3PriusMike
     
    #5 3PriusMike, Jun 20, 2010
  6. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Where was your cellphone? You do know they are on even when they are not connected (call not in progress) right?
     
    #6 David Beale, Jun 20, 2010
  7. deltron3030

    deltron3030 New Member

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    it's very odd, since yeah my fob still has excellent range to unlock and lock my doors,it happens just once and a while inside the car (keys arent always in the same place)
    Yes I do know cell phones are on even when I'm not on a call.
     
    #7 deltron3030, Jun 21, 2010
  8. timo27

    timo27 Member

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    FWIW, I had this happen once, and it was the rear hatch not being fully closed. (Kind of strange they don't have a light on the dash to tell you that...).

    Good luck
    ~T
     
    #8 timo27, Jun 21, 2010
  9. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    When I had my rear hatch door not fully closed, I had the "Key Detected in Vehicle" alarm message. Not the Key Not Detected that the OP describes.
     
    #9 jdcollins5, Jun 21, 2010
  10. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    deleted - double entry
     
    #10 jdcollins5, Jun 21, 2010
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