2012 Prius v starts (and drives) without key. How can this be?

Did you look in the pull out cup holder under the top console cup holder? There is also a removable tray in that cup holder with room underneath.

 

maybe the second key is lost in the car somewhere

 

By the way, the bottom right indicator light is the security system. On a Toyota it is called the Immobilizer System. It always flashes with the car off. It will only go off if you push the Power button WITH the keyfob inside the car. Which is what your car is doing. Plus it goes to Ready and runs only with the keyfob inside the car.

 

So begins the find-the-key interior teardown...

 

Do you have a remote start in the car? They did not come standard.

Given that you took the car 150 feet away and it still started and drove, I believe the fob is in the car. I would at least take out the front and back seats. I might unhook the glove box tabs to access the area behind it. There are some air ducts under the seat as well.

Otherwise you could make an appointment with the dealer to buy a new fob and have them program it to the car. They could then disable the current one in the car's ecu. You need to do something before the current fob dies due to weak battery.

Note to moderator: it took over 24 hours to allow this guy's response to be viewed.

 

With your key outside of the car press the button on the main door handle ( drivers side ) to close the car , if the car closes there is no key in the car remaining. If it beeps the second key is somewhere in your car

 

Check the second post. He does not have a second key. In the first post he indicates he drives the car around and has parked it 150 ft away and it still starts.

 

I didn't have time to read all the replies. Look at the place where you can insert the key before pressing the start button.

You are looking for a small chip that is located in your key. this allows you to bypass security and start the car.

To start the car, you just need that little black chip. All the other circuitry is just to open the door when you walk up to it.

For a while with a Corolla, i had it taped to the little ring where you turned the key. That Allowed me to use a metal key when everyone else has this big bulky key.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Pull out the #10 fuse in the fuse box under the left dash. That deactivates the Smart Key system. If there is a key in the car, it should not start. That will definitely verify that there's a key in the car.

If you can not find it, you can use Techstream and take it off the list of functional keys. If you ever find it, it can be readded.

 

Any update?

 

@Plhys
How did you make out? Any developments?

 

It is possible a fob was busted apart and the transponder chip still in the car somewhere? The chip is tiny. Here's what it looks like in my Accord. What does it look like in this Prius?

 

The transponder only works without power when it is held next to the power switch.

 

I would think someone would notice if their key fell apart.

 

This guy only had one fob and he can't find it. But the car starts and runs.

 

@Plhys : not sure if this has been asked, do you have touch-to-lock/unlock, and is it working? Seems to me if fob was in car you’d get long warning beep and it wouldn’t lock when you try.