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Car is beeping at me while just sitting in the garage

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by jdjohnsn, Dec 21, 2017.

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  1. jdjohnsn

    jdjohnsn Junior Member

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    This morning around 0230, I was awake and hearing beeps coming from somewhere. Got out of bed and they stopped. Wandering around the house they started again and I found it was the Prius (2007) in the garage. The key fob was on the other side of the house so it wasn't related to the proximity of the key fob.
    Very strange behavior as it would beep 1, 2, 18, 4, times- just random numbers of times in a row then silence. Repeat at annoying intervals. The head/tail lights would flash as if locking/unlocking the doors via fob or door handle button, and with every beep/flash it seemed like all the door locks cycled lock/unlock.
    Got the key fob but it had no affect, as it would neither lock nor unlock the doors remotely and would not start the car unless it was physically inserted in the dash. Fob battery maybe... after starting/stopping it seemed to remain silent for long enough to make me think it was "fixed".
    It is now 2:00pm and I just heard it beeping again, now nothing again. I am afraid it it does this enough it will deaden the 12V battery.
    Long winded but I lean to over-analysis. Is the 12V trying to tell me something? Or is it far more sinister? I can go through some more tests when it happens again.
    Thanks. Couldn't find anything like this while searching the forums.
     
    #1 jdjohnsn, Dec 21, 2017
  2. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Simple check would be if there is debris in the keyfob depressing a button. That happens sometimes and it just constantly locks and unlocks. Not a Prius specific thing, just a keyfob thing.

    But otherwise it sounds like a dead 12v. When was the last time it was replaced?
     
    #2 2k1Toaster, Dec 21, 2017
  3. jdjohnsn

    jdjohnsn Junior Member

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    The 12v was replaced 1-2 years ago with an Optima (yellow top). And I can start the car no problem.
    Doesn't disqualify it as being the problem though.
    Oh and the key fob was 4 rooms away (not withing range at all) when the beeping/locking occurred.
     
    #3 jdjohnsn, Dec 21, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2017
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    where is the second fob?
     
    #4 bisco, Dec 21, 2017
    dolj and Prodigyplace like this.
  5. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    So the fob was far away, do you have a cat or dog or rat that was pressing, sleeping on it?
     
    #5 Lucifer, Dec 21, 2017
  6. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    +1
     
    #6 dolj, Dec 21, 2017
  7. scona

    scona Active Member

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    Just had a similar episode with my Prius(2010) last evening. What transpired was an overhead light left on that ran down the battery. Then all the low voltage things that have been mentioned in previous posts started happening. Recharge the 12 volt and all is back to normal.
     
    #7 scona, Dec 21, 2017
  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    yep. Need a voltmeter. Check voltage on front under hood jump points.

    If not Unlock the doors and turn the sks fob system off by pushing the button under the steering wheel. If it stops beeping its something to do with the fob. If it continues to beep you are in deep dookey because I have never heard this issue on this site. Which means you will be a pioneer on tracking a new electrical gremlin. Pray its the fob or a bad 12 but you say the car starts. When it starts does it throw a big red exclamation point on the dash just for a second? if so that means its below 11 volts and its the only warning you get the 12 is going by by.

    You can drive the car with sks off just put the fob in the hole next to that switch.
     
    #8 edthefox5, Dec 21, 2017
  9. jdjohnsn

    jdjohnsn Junior Member

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    Sorry - delayed by holiday "cheer".
    No animals so fob not a cat toy. Second fob located in the same room as first fob. I checked all lights to make sure one was not on. No alert triangle ! mark, just normal idiot lights like any other day (night). Haven't checked the voltage manually yet. I have a service appointment with Toyota for other things and this is now on the list. But I'll bet it's the battery. Will find out Thursday.
    Thanks for the ideas everyone.
     
    #9 jdjohnsn, Dec 26, 2017
  10. Julia Lord

    Julia Lord New Member

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    I've been having a similar problem for years, but I park my car in an underground parking garage so it didn't bug me.... until now. I now park my car in front of my house and it drives me (and my neighbors) nuts! Only occasionally happens, at least once a day it seems, and I've replaced the fob battery to no avail. Hoping you can share what you learned when you took yours in!

    Thanks
     
    #10 Julia Lord, Jan 14, 2018
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what was the outcome?
     
    #11 bisco, Jan 14, 2018
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