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

PiP key doesn't work all of sudden even when brought to Start button.

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by yazyazoo, Jan 27, 2015.

  1. yazyazoo

    yazyazoo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2014
    47
    1
    0
    Location:
    TriState
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I have had my PiP since July. Today is the real first problem I had today. Got into my car and tried to start it and it said I had no key. So I pulled out my key and put it up to the Start button with the Toyota Emblem touching the button. It still didn't recognize they key.

    Luckily I was home and I was able to get my spare key which works.

    Now I am kind of scared because what if I was at work or far away. I would need to get home to get my spare key.

    If it's the battery, how easy is it to leave spare key batteries in my car and pop them into the key?

    Thanks.
     
  2. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2014
    3,002
    480
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Talk to a Toyota dealer.
     
  3. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2011
    1,429
    761
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Real easy. If you pop out the physical key, there's a little notch behind it. Use the key to pry the two halves of the remote housing apart and you can change the battery out.

    However, I was under the impression the remote-to-start-button should work even if the battery is dead. But I've never tested that myself.
     
    rxlawdude likes this.
  4. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2014
    1,584
    257
    0
    Location:
    Ocala, FL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    That is my understanding too.
    Why else would that "feature" be present ??

    I think Greg has the right answer.

    But this brings up another question:
    For those who HAVE done it, do you just need to lightly touch the FOB to the start button......
    OR do you need to "touch" it firmly enough so that the start button is also depressed ??
    I assume your foot has to be on the brake like normal for starting.
     
  5. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2011
    1,429
    761
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I actually had to use it this morning.. my remote wasnt responding.. I thought the remote battery was dead. After getting in the car, I just held the remote in my hand, while pressing the Start button (and holding down the brake as usual) and the car started. I put the remote in my cup holder, but a few seconds later, the "Key Not Detected" message appeared. I picked up the remote again and held it near the button and the message went away. It was fine after that all the way to work.

    After I got to work, I slapped the remote against my palm to see if it was some kind of battery connection issue and sure enough. The remote started working again. I opened up the remote and it was a little dusty inside but all appears to be working at the moment.
     
  6. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2014
    3,002
    480
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    When the battery dies in the remote:
    • You need the key to get in the car.
    • You need to hold the fob as close as possible to the start button.
    • Press the button with your foot on the brake.
    Then it starts as normal.

    P.S. If a new battery doesn't help, the smart-key feature is turned off.
     
  7. rxlawdude

    rxlawdude Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2011
    701
    219
    0
    Location:
    So Calif
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tesla Model S
    That's an interesting statement. For the G2 with SKS, there was a physical slot to put the fob into when SKS was off or the fob battery died.
    In the G3, there is no slot, so I wonder if the "SKS" switch affects the proximity detector near the G3's start button. It seems that would be too easy to overlook and cause service issues.

    Anyone who has a fob with a dead battery want to test whether turning off SKS kills the dashboard Power switch key detection?
     
  8. SLOW_RR

    SLOW_RR Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2013
    155
    84
    0
    Location:
    Finger Lakes Region of NYS
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Pardon my stupidity but what is "SKS"???
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    smart key system.

    if the sks is turned off, why did his spare fob work?
     
    SLOW_RR likes this.
  10. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2014
    1,584
    257
    0
    Location:
    Ocala, FL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    OR the passive part of the FOB has failed.
     
  11. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2014
    3,002
    480
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    that too
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    did you drop an 85 pound weight on it at the gym?
     
  13. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2014
    3,002
    480
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    It may have lost its programming.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    maybe he should look around for it, how far could it go?
     
  15. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2009
    2,933
    2,286
    0
    Location:
    Silicon Valley
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Just a bit to the left or right, usually.

    Mike
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    depends on which pocket you keep it in.