1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Dashboard Lit Up and Key Won’t Unlock

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by safetywest, Aug 17, 2021.

  1. safetywest

    safetywest Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2021
    8
    4
    0
    Location:
    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    One
    I have a 2018 Toyota Prius, the car was stored for about a year and a half, and the person who was taking care of the car for battery purposes didn’t start for 6 months. 12V battery was dead at the end. I jumped the battery and started right away. I was able to move the car and such. Everything seemed normal and worked. After running it for about an hour, I shut down the car, I tried to start and It didn’t start l. I tried to jump it again but all I got was the horn going off non-stop. I went and got a brand new 12V battery from the auto part store and installed it. After the battery was installed, it didn’t recognize my key fobs. I was able to get the fob close to the start button and push the brake pedal to start, and all sorts of failure messages popped up as soon as I tried to start. I couldn’t even operate windows, radios, lock, and such. The brakes didn’t even work and the whole dashboard lit up with all kinds of error symbols. I disconnected the battery and connected after 15-20 mins but the same results. I was planning the tow the car to the dealer but I decided the disconnected the battery and locked the doors for the night. Also, the reason I disconnected the battery, I was going to try one more time in the morning and didn’t want the battery to die just in case if I had some electrical problem going on. Now that little mechanical key I use to get in the a car this morning, won’t turn all the way to unlock the car. I’m stuck and have no idea what’s the problem or solution. I’m grateful for your help and any knowledge will help us figure this out.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,703
    48,946
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    try wiggling the key with a pair of pliers, but be gentle, you don't want to bend/break it. give it a shot of wd-40 first.
    don't give up too quickly, it will be an expensive tow.

    does the red light come on when you press a fob button?

    maybe the new 12v wasn't charged properly, or there's a loose connection.

    if you do get in, try another jump start, and don't cross pollinate the connections!
     
  3. safetywest

    safetywest Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2021
    8
    4
    0
    Location:
    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    One

    I was able to unlock the door this morning with slim-jim tool. I removed new 12V battery and installed old 12V and try to jump, same results happened. Same lights came up. Technician will be here tomorrow with computer to check it. I was wondering, even if I cross pollinated, horn will still go off?
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,703
    48,946
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    idk about the horn. if the main fuse is blown, it might just be for the hybrid system.

    did you try jumping with the new battery first?
     
  5. safetywest

    safetywest Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2021
    8
    4
    0
    Location:
    Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    One
    We were able to install brand new battery from the dealer and we find out couple fuses were blown and that’s why those issues were happening. After replaced them I was able to operate and drive without problem. Looks like it was user error I either hooked up the wrong jump cables or didn’t pay attention I what I was doing. Thank you for y’all trying to
    help with situation.
     
  6. PtPri

    PtPri Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2021
    91
    40
    0
    Location:
    Lisbon, Portugal
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Luxury
    Isn't it perhaps the theft protection system?

    (not an informed guess, just a possibility that I thought of?)