06 Prius Dead

Jeffreywho · Sep 7, 2006

First off let me say this is, of all the cars I've owned, my favorite. 2006, blue, package 3. All of the little gadgets are cool and the amount of money we're saving in gas in awesome.. But this is the first car that had to be towed,,all the others were American. Only 5500 miles and 7 months old, just died after work yesterday. The vehicle had gas and nothing was lefted on. The lights inside and out, door locks and flashers would work, nothing else. The key fob would open the door but noticed a yellow, flashing, key symbol on the dash, however would go out when inserted into the slot. Pushing the power button does nothing but you can hear clicking relays under the hood. The tow truck driver failed to jump start so towed the vehicle to the dealer. BTW..Thanks Toyota for no longer offering roadside assistance.
The car was at the local dealer all day so I called at 2 to get a update, still working on it. Again at 4:15 with their response "we don't know how to get it in the garage, it won't start". haha We were nice and joked about it. The service manager said they have calls in and would give us a loaner. Way is sounded this is their first dead Prius. But the part that irks me is when I got home I got a call from the tech asking what WE DID to the car? How did WE get it there? DUH! And implied,,we damaged the car by his statement "there is lot's of paint on this car" yeah it was keyed down the side a month ago and repainted, nothing to do with starting. Sorry for ranting. I have a feeling they don't know what they're doing and trying to shift blame..Reminds me of a bad Dodge, warranty experience years ago.

Has anyone had a dead 06 Prius that just died one day, had lights, no warnings ?

narussian · Sep 7, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeffreywho @ Sep 7 2006, 10:35 PM) [snapback]316156[/snapback]</div>

Has anyone had a dead 06 Prius that just died one day, had lights, no warnings ?
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Not I, but I am so sorry this has happened to you!! I am interested to see what they say the problem was. Good luck!!

Frank Hudon · Sep 7, 2006

the car has a dead 12 volt battery or a bad connection as indicated by the lighs and such going out when you put the fob in the slot and pushing the power button does nothing but get the relays clicking. Charge the 12 volt or fix the connection that's loose. Did the tech try boosting it properly either with the boost stud under the hood or by getting into the hatch and boosting the battery? Probably not. The tow truck driver did he try to boost it from the jump stud under the hood? if so and nothing happened it's probably because he was unable to get his booster cable clamp on that tiny little stud. Keep us updated.

Jeffreywho · Sep 8, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Frank Hudon @ Sep 7 2006, 11:56 PM) [snapback]316168[/snapback]</div>

the car has a dead 12 volt battery or a bad connection as indicated by the lighs and such going out when you put the fob in the slot and pushing the power button does nothing but get the relays clicking. Charge the 12 volt or fix the connection that's loose. Did the tech try boosting it properly either with the boost stud under the hood or by getting into the hatch and boosting the battery? Probably not. The tow truck driver did he try to boost it from the jump stud under the hood? if so and nothing happened it's probably because he was unable to get his booster cable clamp on that tiny little stud. Keep us updated.
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He did seem to have it on the stud. Also measured with a meter, said the 12v battery was full. My wife picked the loaner up today, I'll kept everyone posted.

SomervillePrius · Sep 8, 2006

First time I hear of a problem like this. Sounds like a bad 12V battery to me, but it also seems like jumping should have solved that (it onlu needs a tiny ammount of amps to boot the computer).

Let us know what happened to it.

eagle33199 · Sep 8, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeffreywho @ Sep 7 2006, 10:35 PM) [snapback]316156[/snapback]</div>

Pushing the power button does nothing but you can hear clicking relays under the hood.
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That seems to indicate to me that the 12V battery is fine...

You said it was repainted... do you know how? Toyota recomends extreme caution when painting a Prius, as the high temperatures associated with some painting methods can damage the HV battery. but if it was just down the side panel i wouldn't think they'd box the whole car to paint it, thus not getting the high temperatures Toyota warns about.

Give the dealer a chance... generally they seem to be pretty good. if they give you a bunch of crap, there's a number you can call for HQ (don't know it, but i'm sure someone here can post it) to register a service complaint... generally it seems to make the dealers shape up when they've been out of line.

Pinto Girl · Sep 8, 2006

Thanks, eagle33199!

I don't happen to have this particular problem, but the advice about avoiding high temperatures in a body shop's oven might help me avoid one in the future.

tmgrl3 · Sep 8, 2006

Yes...please do keep us posted...I have a Seaside Pearl 06 Pkg#5.....

I tried my best, also, to get Toyota Roadside....but that doesn't mean they will connect with someone close by who knows the car....

I don't understand it, but if I ever have a problem like this, I have no qualms about pulling out my manual and showing the service people who come the instructions in the manual about jumping and towing....

terri

galaxee · Sep 8, 2006

the 12 should be fine, since the relays are opening. seems likely a fuse somewhere is blown.

Frank Hudon · Sep 8, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Sep 8 2006, 03:33 PM) [snapback]316645[/snapback]</div>

the 12 should be fine, since the relays are opening. seems likely a fuse somewhere is blown.
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but the light go dim.

galaxee · Sep 8, 2006

i think that what he's referring to is the yellow signal that indicates the car doesn't see a smartkey inside... which goes out when the fob is inserted into the slot.

Frank Hudon · Sep 8, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Sep 8 2006, 05:20 PM) [snapback]316684[/snapback]</div>

i think that what he's referring to is the yellow signal that indicates the car doesn't see a smartkey inside... which goes out when the fob is inserted into the slot.
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we'll have to wait! want to bet a quarter?

galaxee · Sep 9, 2006

we'll bet you one quarter... is that Canadian or US? :lol:

Frank Hudon · Sep 9, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Sep 9 2006, 07:17 AM) [snapback]316941[/snapback]</div>

we'll bet you one quarter... is that Canadian or US? :lol:
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I'll splurge and make it US

Jeffreywho · Sep 10, 2006

Hey all, just a quick update. The dealer is working on the car outside in the parking lot, it never did make it into the garage. haha It's sitting right next to new cars like it's on display. They have the entire dash and trunk area apart. Doesn't look good. ( I never heard of a dealer without a tow truck. Guess those days of putting a vehicle in neutral and pushing are over when it comes to the Prius.
OH, BTW. A local shop did the paint job. No ovens! I was thinking if they left doors open or lights on and drained something but the car did work for a couple weeks after. How bout the recall I had done? Think it was for the steering. Maybe a plug is loose.
P.S. Has anyone thought what happens if the car goes dead like this while driving? Would I lack steering and would the car be stuck in Park at high speeds?

galaxee · Sep 10, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeffreywho @ Sep 10 2006, 07:31 PM) [snapback]317513[/snapback]</div>

Hey all, just a quick update. The dealer is working on the car outside in the parking lot, it never did make it into the garage. haha It's sitting right next to new cars like it's on display. They have the entire dash and trunk area apart. Doesn't look good. ( I never heard of a dealer without a tow truck. Guess those days of putting a vehicle in neutral and pushing are over when it comes to the Prius. [/b]
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hmm, guess they're not familiar with tow dollies... :huh:

How bout the recall I had done? Think it was for the steering. Maybe a plug is loose.[/b]
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did your fob open the door via smartkey or by pushing the button? if the smartkey is turned off and they didn't plug the ignition slot back in all the way it wouldn't start. that's the only plug that would do it though, the only other plug disconnected is the dash dimmer.

P.S. Has anyone thought what happens if the car goes dead like this while driving? Would I lack steering and would the car be stuck in Park at high speeds? [/b]
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if the car loses power, you'd lose power steering but still have manual steering. you'd still have brakes since there's an emergency power backup for that. and the car would go into neutral.

Jeffreywho · Sep 11, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Sep 10 2006, 10:18 PM) [snapback]317557[/snapback]</div>

hmm, guess they're not familiar with tow dollies... :huh:
did your fob open the door via smartkey or by pushing the button? if the smartkey is turned off and they didn't plug the ignition slot back in all the way it wouldn't start. that's the only plug that would do it though, the only other plug disconnected is the dash dimmer.
if the car loses power, you'd lose power steering but still have manual steering. you'd still have brakes since there's an emergency power backup for that. and the car would go into neutral.
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Yes the fob opened the door without using the button. We did try it the other way for the heck of it, also worked.
They when we got in it was wierd cause we never noticed the yellow key symbol flashing on the dash before. We never used the key slot but tried it after the car didn't start. That key symbol went out when the fob was put in the slot.
As of noon Monday, haven't heard from the dealer. I call tomorrow, give them chance to hear something from tech support.

torisk2much · Sep 11, 2006

I thought toyota had roadside assistance?? When I got the warranty extension the dealer said it would cover towing also.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeffreywho @ Sep 7 2006, 10:35 PM) [snapback]316156[/snapback]</div>

First off let me say this is, of all the cars I've owned, my favorite. 2006, blue, package 3. All of the little gadgets are cool and the amount of money we're saving in gas in awesome.. But this is the first car that had to be towed,,all the others were American. Only 5500 miles and 7 months old, just died after work yesterday. The vehicle had gas and nothing was lefted on. The lights inside and out, door locks and flashers would work, nothing else. The key fob would open the door but noticed a yellow, flashing, key symbol on the dash, however would go out when inserted into the slot. Pushing the power button does nothing but you can hear clicking relays under the hood. The tow truck driver failed to jump start so towed the vehicle to the dealer. BTW..Thanks Toyota for no longer offering roadside assistance.
The car was at the local dealer all day so I called at 2 to get a update, still working on it. Again at 4:15 with their response "we don't know how to get it in the garage, it won't start". haha We were nice and joked about it. The service manager said they have calls in and would give us a loaner. Way is sounded this is their first dead Prius. But the part that irks me is when I got home I got a call from the tech asking what WE DID to the car? How did WE get it there? DUH! And implied,,we damaged the car by his statement "there is lot's of paint on this car" yeah it was keyed down the side a month ago and repainted, nothing to do with starting. Sorry for ranting. I have a feeling they don't know what they're doing and trying to shift blame..Reminds me of a bad Dodge, warranty experience years ago.

Has anyone had a dead 06 Prius that just died one day, had lights, no warnings ?
[/b]
Click to expand...

Also I think the smart key was not being detected by the vehicle. It sounds like an issue with the smart key sensors, (the car was not detecting the key inside the vehicle.)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeffreywho @ Sep 7 2006, 10:35 PM) [snapback]316156[/snapback]</div>

First off let me say this is, of all the cars I've owned, my favorite. 2006, blue, package 3. All of the little gadgets are cool and the amount of money we're saving in gas in awesome.. But this is the first car that had to be towed,,all the others were American. Only 5500 miles and 7 months old, just died after work yesterday. The vehicle had gas and nothing was lefted on. The lights inside and out, door locks and flashers would work, nothing else. The key fob would open the door but noticed a yellow, flashing, key symbol on the dash, however would go out when inserted into the slot. Pushing the power button does nothing but you can hear clicking relays under the hood. The tow truck driver failed to jump start so towed the vehicle to the dealer. BTW..Thanks Toyota for no longer offering roadside assistance.
The car was at the local dealer all day so I called at 2 to get a update, still working on it. Again at 4:15 with their response "we don't know how to get it in the garage, it won't start". haha We were nice and joked about it. The service manager said they have calls in and would give us a loaner. Way is sounded this is their first dead Prius. But the part that irks me is when I got home I got a call from the tech asking what WE DID to the car? How did WE get it there? DUH! And implied,,we damaged the car by his statement "there is lot's of paint on this car" yeah it was keyed down the side a month ago and repainted, nothing to do with starting. Sorry for ranting. I have a feeling they don't know what they're doing and trying to shift blame..Reminds me of a bad Dodge, warranty experience years ago.

Has anyone had a dead 06 Prius that just died one day, had lights, no warnings ?
[/b]
Click to expand...

aaf709 · Sep 11, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Artemis Wizbang @ Sep 11 2006, 10:05 AM) [snapback]317787[/snapback]</div>

I thought toyota had roadside assistance?? When I got the warranty extension the dealer said it would cover towing also.
[/b]
Click to expand...

I believe that Roadside Assistance was discontinued on the 2006.

ceric · Sep 11, 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Artemis Wizbang @ Sep 11 2006, 12:05 PM) [snapback]317787[/snapback]</div>

I thought toyota had roadside assistance?? When I got the warranty extension the dealer said it would cover towing also.
Also I think the smart key was not being detected by the vehicle. It sounds like an issue with the smart key sensors, (the car was not detecting the key inside the vehicle.)
[/b]
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Road-side assistance is no longer offered by Toyota for 2006 model.

I also think it is the Smark-key issue. I would try your 2nd smart-key fob (too late - the car is at dealer site now). If the problem persists, then, the problem is in the base unit (in the car) not the fob. Anyway, it would be interesting to find out the exact cause of it. My 2005 Prius (Dec, 2004) has been problem-free (tho with 2 recalls) so far.

06 Prius Dead

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