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2010 Prius Starts By Itself !!!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by PenalCode16, Jul 18, 2010.

  1. PenalCode16

    PenalCode16 New Member

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    I just got my new 2010 Prius and very happy with it, but I have experienced three different times when the darn car started by itself. I seriously doubt that I left the car on. Each time, the car has been sitting out in the hot sun with temperatures in the high 80's to low 90's. The gas engine has gone from off to definitely on. It happened again today and I went over and looked at it the dash read "Ready" and all systems were "go" on the dash. One of the times I could have sworn the car turned itself off (I was in shock so not 100% sure).

    Is it possible that the battery needs to be cooled down and so the engine is turning on?

    Maybe a related problem but I have also experienced that the car will start with the key 4 miles away. Is this suppose to happen?
     
  2. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    There is nothing normal about what you are describing.
     
  3. derkraut

    derkraut Member

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    Doesn't make sense to me. If you stop the car and press the power switch to shut the computers down, there's no way it should start by itself. Since it's under warranty, take it to the dealer.

    Regarding your 2nd sentence---how can you tell from 4mi away that the car has started????
     
  4. PenalCode16

    PenalCode16 New Member

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    My father in law was driving it, and I was 4 miles away with the key in my pocket (and talking to him via cell phone).
     
  5. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    Sounds like you're not turning it off with the start/stop button. Perhaps you are confusing the Park button with Start/Stop.
     
  6. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    +1... The car is definately not off when you are leaving. It will not just start.

    Only other explanation is you have a remote start enabled which will screw everything up.
     
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  7. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

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    You know how when you start the car you press the on/off button? Well, when you stop the car, you need to press the on/off button.

    You need to read the manual, or even the quick start guide. if that's too much then watch the DVD that came with the car.
     
  8. Airbalancer

    Airbalancer Active Member

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    DVD:confused: I got no stinking DVD
    Is that UK thing
     
  9. DetPrius

    DetPrius Active Member

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    I got a DVD! :D
     
  10. Teakwood

    Teakwood Member

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    In regard to the vehicle starting with the key 4 miles away, is it possible that the second Smart Key System fob is actually in the vehicle?
     
  11. Airbalancer

    Airbalancer Active Member

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    Could OP be hearing the solar fan starting and stopping
    I do not know if OP has a solar roof


    My father in law was driving it, and I was 4 miles away with the key in my pocket (and talking to him via cell phone).


    So the car was running and he got in drove away without a key :confused:
     
  12. Colonel Ronson

    Colonel Ronson New Member

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    Once the car is started...you can drive it without the key. this is purely safety. Imagine your smart key running out of batteries while youre driving in the middle of the freeway. My suspicion is that the OP is simply not pressing the power button to turn off the car when he leaves. Before you leave the car, make sure everything on the dash is off. The only thing that should be lit up when you leave is the ODO and the clock. the "Ready" light should be gone.
     
  13. silverfog

    silverfog New Member

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    Or could the remote A/C have been pressed? I admit I was confused by this when, after pressing the remote for longer the usual, the lights came on and it sounded as if the engine was running.
     
  14. johnlawson57

    johnlawson57 New Member

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    My wife reports that she unlocked our new 2010 in the normal manner by grabbing the door handle. She opened the door and the Prius "booted" up. That is the Prius splash screen on the instrument display came up and the car was on! Is she nuts, or do I have some other problem?
     
  15. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Are you sure she saw the splash screen, or did she just see it on?

    My guess is it was not turned off. I am unaware of a "screen saver" or anything where the display goes out, and would show the splash at a later time.
     
  16. socratesthecabdriver

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    mabe the momentary switch has fault
     
  17. Skoorbmax

    Skoorbmax Senior Member

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    This sounds a bit more like confusion that car fault. I may be wrong, though.
     
  18. Michaelvickdog123

    Michaelvickdog123 New Member

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    Com'on. This has got to be a joke? :eek:
     
  19. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    The OP has not been back since July... I'm thinking someone wasn't turning OFF the car.

    Unless he/she is back with a new nickname, now that he/she has learned to operate the car (I would).
     
  20. Silver bullit

    Silver bullit Right Lane Cruiser

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    It has become self aware
     
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