I can't start my 2008 Prius without inserting the key into the slot, Help!

If the panic button is stuck, it could prevent your car from starting with the fob in your pocket. If its not stuck and your switch is in the right position, the only other faulty area would be the internal proximity sensor in your car.

 

If that was the case, why would the door unlock with SKS? Do you have the second FOB for the vehicle, or did you purchase it with one? I would tend to believe the fault is with something in the vehicle and not the FOB if the doors unlock without the key... Does anyone know if there are multiple FOB sensors? One for outside to unlock the doors and another sensor in the vehicle? If so, maybe the internal sensor is bad? Could it be as easy as a blown fuse or a disconnected sensor?

 

Does your car have a salvage title? Since you bought your car second hand, it may be something the previous owner did.

I did read somewhere the sensor is in the center console, so if that has been changed/damaged, it would probably be the cause of your problem.

 

perfect, at least you've eliminated one potential cause. what happens when you try the second fob another potential problem thats easily eliminated is the new fob battery. check the voltage, sometimes they're bad out of the box.

 

It certainly sounds like it could be the internal proximity sensor. The fact that you can get in the car with the smart key seems to say the fob and exterior sensors are working, but its a separate sensor that says the key is inside the car and its ok to start.

If you have two fobs, you might try leaving one inside the car (in the cup holder say) and then getting out and trying to lock the drivers door with the smart key button (with the second fob in your pocket). If it lets you lock as usual, that may be another indicator that the internal sensor is faulty. If it detects a fob inside the vehicle it should just give you a long warning tone and refuse to lock with the smart key button on the door (though it will still lock with the fob button I believe).

Pages 4 and 5 on this document give you an idea where the sensors are at twhat their detection ranges should be:
http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM47614U/pdf/sec_01-03.pdf

 

excellent trouble shooting ideas

 

Could be, but I've found the LED brightness on the FOB to be a decent indicator of battery health. When mine were low I couldn't see the LED at all for many months before it finally quit working. I didn't even realize there was an LED on the Gen 2 fob until I changed the battery

 

especially if you keep it in your pocket all the time. i didn't realize the led was an indicator of battery health, thanks!

 

the button under the steering wheel that says KEY must be out.

 

ed, if that button is in, will the door open with the key in your pocket?

 

Button that says key:

In sks is off. Fob only opens doors by pressing fob
Button. Interior light does not come on when u approach and car will only start with fob in hole

Out is full sks. Car starts with fob in pocket.

 

all the best!

 

The armrest button locks the car regardless if it detects the fob......I've tried it LOL

 

My point is I've tried this and the car actually locks the fob inside.....it doesn't UNLOCK the doors.