06 Prius Dead

Odds are it isn't a smart key problem - Note above where he said he could hear clicking relays... if it was a problem with the smart key, it wouldn't have even gotten that far!

persoanlly, i think is sounds more like a problem with the HV power system. either there's a problem with the batteries (the relays open up, but if the batteries are completely dead there's no juice to go to the motors, nothing can run) or a blown fuse, as Galaxee suggested.

Note that the smart key system doesn't come into play when the key is put in the slot - otherwise you wouldn't be able to move the car if the battery in the smart key went out. I see the yellow light for the smart key all the time, it doesn't mean anything is wrong. I'd have to check the manual, but i think i remember it as meaning the key is detected in the car but not in the slot.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Sep 11 2006, 12:37 PM) [snapback]317811[/snapback]</div>

I have Roadside Assistance on mine - purchased Feb. 2006, Chicago area. I think it might have been part of the service agreement plan?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nerfer @ Sep 11 2006, 05:43 PM) [snapback]317966[/snapback]</div>

Yes....if you take a service plan, the plan comes with Roadside Assistance for the 06...otherwise, no.

terri

 

Grgghghhhh....I feel as though I'm living this through with you....such an annoyance....

Keep us posted...

My hanging rear bumper trim seems so minor now....

terri

 

tell me they've been in contact with tech assist

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Sep 14 2006, 05:12 PM) [snapback]319815[/snapback]</div>

I agree, how come no one is checking all the downstream components? Computers seldom blow for no reason. Opps looks like I owe you a quarter as well. US at that!

 

Unless you enjoy letting them learn on yours, it's time to drag it to a dealer who knows what they're doing.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeffreywho @ Sep 16 2006, 06:48 PM) [snapback]320657[/snapback]</div>

I read that Toyota had acknowledged that it was having problems with quality due to increased demand - and were delaying the rollout of some new models while they addressed this problem - but hadn't really thought about it applying to Priuses. Demand for Priuses is down slightly in this country, so I'm not sure that would apply to Priuses. Demand could be up on a worldwide basis. I hope that there aren't quality issues, since I've got a 2006, too. I've had one problem in 5 months, with the MFD, which turned out to be a wiring problem.

Boy, I just read your whole saga, and you have my sympathy. What a debacle! The Prius is a great car when it's running, but I can see how you'd be soured on it after what you've been through. Still, give it a chance when you get it back. You might end up loving it like most of the posters on this site.

 

i think you should be more sour about the service than the car. after all, it's a simple part failure, whether it's something basic like a fuse or complex like a computer. this stuff happens to cars of all kinds all the time, but with the prius it's harder to find someone who's as competent with the car as, say, it would be to find someone for a camry.

 

Sorry 'bout that. No car maker is perfect and not all dealers know everything. Bear up through this; once your dealer repairs the original problem and whatever problems they themselves caused, you should get years of reliable fun service from the car.

 

have you checked the "key" button under the steering wheel? might be in the off position.

ask around for recommendations for a local service department with a competent prius tech.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeffreywho @ Sep 19 2006, 09:53 PM) [snapback]322017[/snapback]</div>

I can almost feel your frustration through cyberspace.....In your position, I'm not sure what I would have done either...another dealer? Sometimes that isn't always convenient....and sometimes it's a good thing to have your regular dealer "work through" these things.

When I picked my car up at Stevens Toyota in Huntington, New York, one thing the sales rep said...is ...don't panic if a light comes on...sometimes they come on and there is nothing wrong or something simple. Follow the instructions. Often if you turn it off and then on again, the lights will go away.

Where did he hear this??? I certainly don't plan to ignore any lights that come on, but I am learning that with the computer, sometimes lots of lights isn't always something terrible.

I just feel with you for having gone through this.

When I bought my Prius, one of my fears was that people at service and sales weren't going to know as much about the Prius as I would hope...especially if something went wrong. I bought it with that in mind since I am committed to the Prius as a concept and as a real-live great vehicle....one that is good for me and for the environment.

So...hopefully, you will hang in there with your car and come to put this behind you....jeesh...I get all freaked when my trim hangs off....

As for the smart key and the fob...my car was not programmed to smart start when it was delivered. My sales rep knew a lot more than he did at ordering time, but not a fraction of what I have learned here at PriusChat. At the LI meetup, two of the members simply turned my car on, and clicked the key button under the steering wheel and it was programmed for smart start....I was going to get around to that, but hadn't, since it has taken me some time to familiarize myself with other features...the phone book download was a trip...and no one at Toyota had a clue about how to do it. I figured it out, but it took me some time.

Thanks for sharing your story, Jeffrywho.....it helps all of us. Hopefully, very few of us will have similar tales
.....

terri

 

I wonder where all these Prii with under 10k miles for sale were when I was looking for a used one....