Security indicator keeps flashing with power off.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Solarman44, Jan 9, 2010.

  1. Solarman44

    Solarman44 Junior Member

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    The Security indicator light has started to flash off and on when the power if off. I do not see it when the car is powered up. This just started and I see on page 186, refering to page 108 in the manual that it has something to do with the transponder.

    I'm not sure what they are trying to say. Does anyone have any ideas on what is causing this warning light on the dash to be flashing?

    Thanks,

    John
     
    #1 Solarman44, Jan 9, 2010
  2. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    #2 patsparks, Jan 9, 2010
  3. Solarman44

    Solarman44 Junior Member

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    Thanks mate. I just wonder why it started to do this now after I've had the car for two months and it never did it before?

    Do all the 2010 models do this?
     
    #3 Solarman44, Jan 9, 2010
  4. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    Wow... a wee bit scary how much misinformation is in that linked thread... until the end at least.

    The flashing light has always been there when the car is off. You probably just recently noticed it. It only goes out when the car is "ready." It is the imobilizer notification that is supposed to say "don't bother trying to steal me" to would-be-theives.

    And no it doesn't change when the fob is near or far. And yes the car will keep running if you get out and take the fob with you. You can even fly to another country and the car will continue to run.

    Other than that... feel free to search around the forums. Most "surprising" things like this have been discussed many times.
     
    #4 darelldd, Jan 9, 2010
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    It didn't just start. This is a fairly common question which gets posted the first time the flashing indicator is noticed.

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, Jan 9, 2010
  6. Solarman44

    Solarman44 Junior Member

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    I should have mentioned that this indicator flashes when the doors are locked and when it is unlocked. I can understand if it flashes when the doors are locked, our Camry does, but to flash all the time is hard to comprehend.

    I do know that it did not do this until just the other day as I have worked in the car many times with out being powered on, and the flashing was never there, hence the concern.
     
    #6 Solarman44, Jan 10, 2010
  7. Bobsprius

    Bobsprius BobPrius

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    According to page 108 in the manual, it always flashes once the car is turned to the off position.

    If you ever have been in ACC position it will not flash.

    So don't know what you were doing in the past with the car or what position the ignition was in???

    But anytime you turn the car off, you will see it.
     
    #7 Bobsprius, Jan 10, 2010
  8. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    Or more accurately, "it will be flashing."

    If you see it or not is dependent on factors beyond our control. ;)
     
    #8 darelldd, Jan 10, 2010
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  9. Solarman44

    Solarman44 Junior Member

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    Thanks everyone, you ALL were great. That's why we have this forum to set people like me straight :D
     
    #9 Solarman44, Jan 11, 2010
  10. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    Clearly, the 12-Volt battery is doomed to go dead, due to this flashing. (I give it about 10 years!)
     
    #10 pjksr02, Jan 11, 2010
  11. Bobsprius

    Bobsprius BobPrius

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    pjksr02,

    Your 12 Volt Battery will be long gone before 10 years...

    They typically last 4 maybe 5, some have gotten longer time from them....

    Now if you were referring to the HV Battery then you have the full warranty :) 10 Years for most except in CARB States.
     
    #11 Bobsprius, Jan 11, 2010
  12. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    Quote: Your 12 Volt Battery will be long gone before 10 years...

    ---That was my point :eyebrows:
     
    #12 pjksr02, Jan 11, 2010
  13. Prius1997

    Prius1997 New Member

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    I have the same problem, my car won’t even turn on and yet when I pass current from one car to my Prius that’s the only time my Prius will start, I replaced the battery in my key control, I press the brake but they won’t even turn on and it don’t make no noise like if the battery was dead but it isn’t, what should I do
     
    #13 Prius1997, May 25, 2018
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you need a new 12v. the prius battery does not make any noise when it is dead.
     
    #14 bisco, May 25, 2018
  15. C.G. Love

    C.G. Love New Member

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    I got a 2016 Prius v 2 months ago; having graduated from a '95 corolla, everything was new and bewlidering, so almost every time I have turned off, I have sat awhile, watching the odometer reading...and am 100% sure I never saw a flashing security indicator, or anything flashing, until this morning when got in car. A friend wondered if I could have inadvertantly turned off/on? Does it indicate a short?
     
    #15 C.G. Love, Jun 11, 2019
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    poly not. a lot of people never notice it until one day...

    your avatar says 2014
     
    #16 bisco, Jun 11, 2019
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