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FOB starts 2008 but will not lock or unlock doors

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by archibald tuttle, Mar 24, 2019.

  1. archibald tuttle

    archibald tuttle Junior Member

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    this car lost it's auxilary battery and sat for some months. when I put in new battery the alarm was triggered and i couldn't figure anyway to shut it off. again, maybe the red button on the remote is also not responsive. don't know if those functions are independent of some RFD tag that allows the car to start when it is inserted in the dash.

    i changed the battery in the remote but no discernable difference. the old one was showing 3 volts anyway and my understanding is it should be 10% low to really be dead.

    people talk about buttons and the smart system. there is a button that says key facing out beneath the dash and steering wheel. i had read you could do a reset by pressing that button and then holdoing the start button for 30 seconds. nothing seemed to happen when i did that. the car powered up while i was holding the button in. so i kinda ran out of things to try or pieces of knowledge from various threads that popped up.

    also, when the car is off, it is flashing the so-called immobilizer inidcator (red car icon with key inside). i don't recall this being a constant condition before, but maybe i just did not notice.

    thanks for any ideas from here.

    brian
     
  2. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    The key button should not be pressed in.
    It should be out.
     
  3. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Yes, you just did not notice it before, it always flashes. It is to alert thieves to move onto another car.
    The one under the dash, that is.
     
  4. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    What color is the Toyota emblem on your key fob? When you say the fob starts your car is that when you put it in the slot or when it’s in your pocket? Have you read the owners manual where it talks about how the SKS keys work? Does the key fob have a red light that flashes once in a while when you are near or in the car?
     
  5. archibald tuttle

    archibald tuttle Junior Member

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    didn't realize it had an in and out state because it operates like a momentary press, but now i see you are correct. what is the purpose of in or does some kind of reset require it to be left in the in mode, or left in the in mode for 10 or 20 seconds and then pressed again to return to the out mode?
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the button turns the sks system on or off. off is when your away, it reduces the drain on the 12v battery.
     
  7. archibald tuttle

    archibald tuttle Junior Member

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    not sure if this is an OEM FOB. There is no emblem. Car had 200,000 when i got it and the FOB had been beat up although it could have been generic replacement. It allows the car to start when in the slot. There is a small LED but I don't believe i've seen it blink. Is the an owners manual section on prius chat where i could look at this? Thanks
     
  8. archibald tuttle

    archibald tuttle Junior Member

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    thanks. things i wish i knew before. . . so maybe that would turn off that flashing immobilizer symbol as well. i was wondering about battery consumption for all this standby stuff.
     
  9. archibald tuttle

    archibald tuttle Junior Member

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    And would this explain if its possible to have a FOB that starts the car but isn't recognized by the security system or locks? Not sure if it is possible for the slot to be programmed to the remote without those auxiliary systems being included. Thanks
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do you have an owners manual?
     
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  11. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    No emblem means the case was replaced. The fact that the car will start means the rfid chip is in there. Can you take the case apart and see if the buttons are the problem? I think the aftermarket ones just snap together.