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Strangest thing - is it possible for my fob/Prius to open my garage door?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by mikewithaprius, Apr 9, 2011.

  1. mikewithaprius

    mikewithaprius New Member

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    EDIT: resolved, see post 4
    ----------

    Here's what happened:

    I just was getting home in my Prius, and pull up in my usual spot in front of the house. I get out, and as usual, since SKS is activated, push the rubber button on the door handle to lock the door. Fob is in my pocket as usual.

    The car is in the street about 35 feet from the house. I walk halfway across the lawn, and the garage door starts to open. I do not have Homelink or anything, and haven't tried setting anything up differently in the recent past. I thought one of my parents was opening the door for me. I walk towards it, and it stops, about a quarter of the way up.

    Confused, I backtrack a bit to go in the front door. The garage door is still sitting a quarter of the way open, not moving.

    No one in the house was near a garage door opener, and I've never had one in my car, and never carry one with me.

    I live in a neighborhood where nothing's doing - probably all the neighbors were sleeping, it's just separate houses in the suburbs. Is it possible my fob or the car opened the door, and then somehow sent out another frequency to stop it? :confused:
     
  2. derkraut

    derkraut Member

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    IMHO, your car/fob had nothing to do with the movement of the garage door. More likely, a signal of some kind in the neighborhood triggered it. There have been instances where aircraft (especially military) have interfered with garage door opener function. Or, some theives in the neighborhood were getting ready to rob you, and were scared off when you drove up. There are electronic "devices" out there that can trigger garage door openers--especially the older types.
     
  3. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Garage doors are between 300MHz to 400MHz. If you opener was made before 2004 or 2005, then you are probably on the 390MHz band. If after then you are on the 315MHz band.

    The Prius uses the 134.2 kHz band for transmission. The Prius key fob uses 315MHz. However, the encryption algorithm between the Prius and the garage door is completely different. There is a slight possibility that interference on the fobs signal altered it to a signal the garage door recognized. However that is a one in a few billion if not more chance. More than likely higher.

    It was more than likely a military signal. I live right near NORAD and everytime anyone important comes to town, there is a 2 or 3 day period where all the older (pre-1990's) garage doors randomly go up and down at all hours of the day.
     
  4. mikewithaprius

    mikewithaprius New Member

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    Thanks guys, indeed it wasn't the fob, but some other signal - from a garage door opener.

    I just found one in my bag, which must've gotten hit twice when I was walking to the house. The real mystery now is how the hey it got there, since like I said, I never use it. A running theory is that my sister's cat, who we were recently catsitting, really enjoys throwing small objects off the table, and my bag often sits open nearby...
     
  5. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Now THAT'S funny!!
     
    1 person likes this.
  6. AStuke

    AStuke New Member

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    L.O.L!!! Sorry, but that is absolutely hilarious.