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Random long beep when locking via the handle

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by GreenMaterialism, Apr 25, 2012.

  1. GreenMaterialism

    GreenMaterialism Junior Member

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    I've searched to no avail over the past few days, so I'm going to post the simple question anyway...

    Recently, my Prius has been randomly giving me the single, long warning beep when I try to lock it by touching the handle. The car is definitely not still on, and the key is in my pocket when it happens. I've checked the doors, and none are ajar. It's not 100% consistent, but happens about 50-75% of the time. When it happens, I can lock the car with the key or keyfob - but touching the handle just gets me the long beep and no lock.

    My initial thought was that it is the SKS keyfob battery getting low, so I've ordered some replacements. However I don't even know if that's a warning sign the Prius would give - I was under the impression that a message would display inside when the battery got low.

    Any other ideas?
     
    #1 GreenMaterialism, Apr 25, 2012
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Generally this means that there is another fob in the car.

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, Apr 25, 2012
  3. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    ^ What qbee42 said.

    The only time I get the long beep is when my wife tries to leave her pocketbook in the car with the other fob. If you look at the dash I believe it will have a message saying "Key Detected in Vehicle".
     
    #3 jdcollins5, Apr 25, 2012
  4. GreenMaterialism

    GreenMaterialism Junior Member

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    Thanks - that's what I'd thought too. I had ruled out the other fob, but will investigate further. Of course, today when I tried to repeat it, the car acted completely normal!
     
    #4 GreenMaterialism, Apr 25, 2012
  5. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    It happened to me the other day. Turned out that the trunk was not fully latched. Open/close of the trunk solved it. Maybe the trunk sensor could be out of adjustment.
     
    #5 RobH, Apr 25, 2012
  6. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    I think it's happened to me if I'm pressed up against the door--maybe in range of the inside antenna.
     
    #6 css28, Apr 25, 2012
  7. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Every once in a while this happens to me even when the key is in my pocket, then a second attempt will lock without issue. I don't know if there is a lag in the car recognizing that the fob is no longer in the car, or if the inside sensor still senses it if you're right next to the car or what.

    But, as pointed out, most of the time it means there's a second fob inside the car.
     
    #7 efusco, Apr 25, 2012
  8. tach18k

    tach18k Member

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    the only other time I heard this happen is when I'm washing the car, getting water on the touch pad.
     
    #8 tach18k, Apr 25, 2012
  9. spiff72

    spiff72 Member

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    I am interested in this too. I saw this happen twice when I was going to lunch with a coworker. When we left the restaurant he was curious about the car and wanted to drive it. I kept the key in my pocket while I was in the passenger seat. The car gave a long beep when I unlocked it (I think) - and it gave a long beep as we were getting out of the car after getting back to work.

    I have had a couple of random occurrences over the the last year, but this was the first time it happened in the course of a 5 minute span of time.
     
    #9 spiff72, Apr 25, 2012
  10. tach18k

    tach18k Member

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    The car does have location sensors all over. The computer is smart enough to know where it is, in your case it see's the FOB on the right side of the car, not in the drivers spot. so I'm guessing its letting you know the key is not in the drivers position. Try to put the key in the back seat and see if it does it again. See if it allows a backseat driver.
     
    #10 tach18k, Apr 26, 2012
  11. macman408

    macman408 Electron Guidance Counselor

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    As long as the key is inside the car, it works just fine. I've used that to my advantage when returning from a backpacking trip; to avoid losing it, I bury it deep within my pack inside a zippered compartment. When returning to the car, I can leave it inside the pack, unlock the hatch, dump the pack in the back, and drive off, without having to dig out the key.
     
    #11 macman408, Apr 27, 2012
  12. blane

    blane Carmudgeon

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    Have you noticed that this happens only if you touch the "lined" spot on your door handle too long? A simple quick touch is all that you need. I believe that I may have noticed such a "long beep" only if I pressed the spot more than a moment.

    I'll have to verify later.
     
    #12 blane, Apr 28, 2012
  13. Teakwood

    Teakwood Member

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    So, maybe you simply forgot to actually TURN IT OFF before exiting the vehicle?
     
    #13 Teakwood, Apr 28, 2012
  14. Drew23

    Drew23 New Member

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    I came upon this page frustrated with the same issue. Turns out I had an extra fob in my bag that I left in the car for a week. Thanks Tom!
     
    #14 Drew23, Dec 10, 2017
    Prodigyplace likes this.
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