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Intermittent Issues with Auto Off lights and Smartkey

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Ralan, Jan 31, 2019.

  1. Ralan

    Ralan New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2019
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    Location:
    Charlotte
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I have a 2011 Prius(owned since new) that over the past 2 months has had issues with not unlocking via proximity, lights not turning off when exiting vehicle, a flat battery multiple times (I assume from the lights being left on), and once the car locking with the key inside. These issues have been inspected by the dealer multiple times and no faults can be found.

    First I noticed, the car intermittently does not unlock just by proximity, but the fob will unlock it via button press. The fob also locked in the car one time (Even though its not supposed to allow it). Fob battery has been replaced multiple times, and has been reprogrammed by the dealer. Still having the proximity issue.

    About 3-4 times in the past 2 months the car has had a dead battery required a jump to start. I couldn't find any reason why the battery should be dead the first couple of times leading me to replace the aux battery 3 weeks ago. Yesterday I noticed the lights were still on after i exited the vehicle a couple hours later. I have never adjusted the lights, they are always left on and would normally turn off when the car was turned off.

    Rather than going back to the dealer and spending more money, I was wondering if anyone has any ideas what could be causing these issues.
     
  2. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2016
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    Location:
    Folsom, Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    First, make sure the key fob is at least a foot away from any cell phone or similar device.
     
  3. Ralan

    Ralan New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2019
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    Location:
    Charlotte
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I appreciate the response. The issue only arose within the past two months or so, in the previous 6 years I have never had an issue with my keys and phone being in my purse at the same time. The time it was locked itself in the car it was alone(not in my purse) on the seat.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Could be a bad light timer.
    If you don’t want to spend any money, start shutting them off.

    If I were you, I would replace my fob batteries, and test the new 12v