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Car freaks out when key gets too far away while driving?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Methyl Bromide, Jul 20, 2017.

  1. Methyl Bromide

    Methyl Bromide New Member

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    One two occasions, our 2007 Prius has gone into full-out freakout mode while driving on the highway -- practically every dashboard light comes on, the car slows down dramatically, and we pull it over and stop. On both occasions, the key was kind of far from the slot -- in the back seat, for instance.

    After we insert the key fob into the slot, the car operates normally again, except that the red exclamation triangle, the check engine light, and the "dealer immediately" icon on the screen, are still on. In neither case were we anywhere near a dealer, and so we were forced to drive on. After about 150 miles and a few stops, these lights went off again and the indicators were back to the usual.

    Is this normal? Is there any kind of rationale for the car demanding to be taken to a dealer immediately when the only problem was that it temporarily didn't sense the key while driving? Seems like the dealer would charge $80 to tell me there's nothing wrong with the car, which is a great thing for the dealer but not so terrific for the customer.
     
    #1 Methyl Bromide, Jul 20, 2017
  2. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    In my experience, that's not normal. With our Smartkey equipped 2008, I've dropped off my wife, and driven miles away with the car while she had the key with her in her purse.
     
    #2 tvpierce, Jul 20, 2017
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    odd, since the fob doesn't have to be in the car once you make it ready. anywho, it's always worth checking the fob batteries and 12v.
    btw, does it do the same with both fobs?
     
    #3 bisco, Jul 20, 2017
  4. Methyl Bromide

    Methyl Bromide New Member

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    To answer people's questions: I've seen this only on long road trips, so it's quite possible it only happens if you've been driving a considerable time without the key in range. You might never see it driving around town. I'm not sure how to answer whether it "happens with both fobs" since evidently both fobs were out of range both times. The fellow who helped us the first time, a local mechanic not affiliated with Toyota, said the key needed to be within "a couple of feet" of the slot. If there was a real problem, rather than just a "no key panic," I wouldn't expect the problem to resolve itself.
     
    #4 Methyl Bromide, Jul 20, 2017
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    try this; start the car, put the fob back in the house, and go for a ride.

    btw, when i say both fobs, i mean does it do the same thing using the back up fob, with the primary in the house.
     
    #5 bisco, Jul 20, 2017
  6. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Does your car have the SKS system the Smart Key System where you do not have to insert the key into the slot to make it ready?
    If it has SKS once the car is started you don't even need it in the car. The car will beep a few times to let you know the fob walked away but it does not shut the car off or do anything else. But if you shut it off of course it will not restart without the SKS key in the car.

    if your saying its not a SKS system and the key must be in the slot to make it ready I dont know what it does if you take it out of the slot while driving. probably nothing...it just wont retart without the fob in the slot.

    So you have something else going on I would look at the 12 volt battery health first. I'm betting its over 6 years old.
     
    #6 edthefox5, Jul 20, 2017
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i thought you couldn't remove it from the slot with the car ready.
     
    #7 bisco, Jul 20, 2017
  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I don't know I have SKS.

    But I don't think its the FOB he has master caution and check engine light. Fob don't care about the engine. Probably out of engine oil.
     
    #8 edthefox5, Jul 20, 2017
    Kevin_Denver and bisco like this.
  9. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    Methyl, I agree with Ed, it's likely not your key that is causing a problem - I would take the car to a local auto parts store and have your codes read (most do this for free). Even if the check engine light is off in the car, the codes should still be in the car's computers.
     
    #9 Kevin_Denver, Jul 21, 2017
  10. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Very true, the fob cannot be removed once the car is in either IG-ON or READY. If the car is in ACC, you can remove the fob and the goes to OFF.
    I agree with both Ed and Kevin, I think the fob thing is a big red herring. Not even an issue.
     
    #10 dolj, Jul 21, 2017
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