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Smart key works on doors, not engine

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by kgagne, Aug 11, 2011.

  1. kgagne

    kgagne Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
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    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hello,

    I have a 2007 Prius. Last night, my neighbor said he thought he heard my car alarm going off. I used my car fob to turn the alarm on then off to ask him if that's what he'd heard, and it wasn't. Seems he mistook someone else's car for mine.

    Today, I find my car's smart key functionality is limited. I can keep the keys in my pocket and still unlock and lock the doors, but the engine won't turn on, instead displaying the key symbol on the dashboard; I need to insert the fob into the slot instead. None of the buttons (lock, unlock, alarm) on the fob work. The smart key button under the wheel is protruding, as I believe it should.

    Is this just a case of a dying fob battery, or did my test of the alarm last night somehow disable some of my smart key features?

    -Ken
     
    #1 kgagne, Aug 11, 2011
  2. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    III
    With a 2007, if the battery is the original, it is a good chance that it can be the fob battery. They are inexpensive and easy to replace.

    That would be a good place to start.
     
    #2 jdcollins5, Aug 11, 2011
  3. kgagne

    kgagne Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks, JD! Where can I get more information about what kind of battery it is and how to replace it? I don't remember seeing this in the car's manual, though maybe I missed it. I hope something this simple doesn't require a dealer's intervention.

    -Ken
     
    #3 kgagne, Aug 11, 2011
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    You need to purchase a CR2032 battery from your local drugstore. You will also need a very tiny Phillips screwdriver, I recall the size is 2 mm. I suggest you replace the batteries on all fobs that you have for the car.

    The instructions to replace the fob battery should be in the owner's manual and you can also search on PriusChat for many posts about how to do this. This does require some strength from the thumb on your hand to successfully slide the fob cover off.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Aug 11, 2011
  5. Prius 06

    Prius 06 Member

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    #5 Prius 06, Aug 11, 2011
  6. kgagne

    kgagne Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks, all! The simple process of replacing my fob's battery appears to have cured what ailed me.
     
    #6 kgagne, Aug 12, 2011
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