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help understanding strange vehicle behavior

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by AKTroy, Jun 21, 2017.

  1. AKTroy

    AKTroy New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    okay folks I need some help understanding some strange vehicle behavior.

    I got out of the vehicle while it was running, and when I returned to the vehicle and put it in drive it would not move. I believe the ICE was running at the time as well. I pressed the park button, put my foot on the brake and again put it in drive, but it would not move. Everything appeared to be functioning fine, no warning lights or anything like that.

    So, I turned the vehicle off, restarted, and drove away without issue. So, could somebody please explain what happened? I'm assuming some kind of a security protection, but haven't a clue. Vehicle is a 2011, Trim IV.

    Troy
     
    #1 AKTroy, Jun 21, 2017
  2. NavyLCDR

    NavyLCDR Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Stanwood, WA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    My guess is that the vehicle did not immediately recognize the presence of the smart key inside the vehicle upon your return. I might check the battery in the key fob.
     
    #2 NavyLCDR, Jun 22, 2017
  3. AKTroy

    AKTroy New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Okay, I'll change it out. Sure had me confused.
     
    #3 AKTroy, Jun 22, 2017
  4. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Don't need the FOB once the vehicle is started (in "ready"). That's not it. Parking brake stuck on? Some new so far unknown mode?

    I do this every time I drive Pearl S and this has never happened.
     
    #4 David Beale, Jun 22, 2017
    KennyGS likes this.
  5. Quattro

    Quattro Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Is the 12V battery original? If it is from 2011, it's due for a replacement. Strange electronics behavior could be from a low 12V battery.
    My 2010 had strange starting issues and a new battery fixed it.
     
    #5 Quattro, Jun 22, 2017
  6. AKTroy

    AKTroy New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I'm pretty sure the battery is original. Expensive little buggers too. So far I've not had another incident of the strange behavior. I may have the battery load tested, and just check out the resting voltage as well. With our extreme winters here in Alaska, I definitely want to have a good battery for the upcoming winter. I'm also going to change out the batteries in the remotes as previously suggested.
     
    #6 AKTroy, Jul 3, 2017
  7. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

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    Keystone State
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Strange. I've never had that experience.

    Usually my problem is when I get back to the car after leaving it running, I press the start button - shutting it off because I forgot. So I then have to press the the start button again. :facepalm:
     
    #7 KennyGS, Jul 3, 2017
    jerrymildred likes this.
  8. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius
    Model:
    Limited
    When you shifted to drive did the MFD shift display actually change from P to D? I too suspect the 12V battery, as it is almost always the cause for malfunctions. True, when the vehicle is running the 12V power comes from the DC to DC converter. But something might not have initialized properly when making it ready, where it uses power from that little 12V to "boot up".
     
    #8 AzWxGuy, Jul 3, 2017
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