Key fob doesn’t work, locked keys in car

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Gino Veltri, Jan 23, 2022.

  1. Gino Veltri

    Gino Veltri Member

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    So I parked my car at the airport and locked my metal key in the car. As long as I’ve had it, the key fob doesn’t lock or unlock the door. I recently put a door handle on with a metal key (not an original Prius key). I’ve made a copy with the chicken dance, can’t remember if that fob worked. The fob I have blinks red so I think the battery is fine. I have to put the key in the slot to start the car (non sks)
    The car is a 2005 non sks prius with a different handle and metal key locked in it.

    Any ideas? Really don’t wanna call AAA and wait 5 hours in the snow. I may just fashion a coat hanger if no ideas
     
    #1 Gino Veltri, Jan 23, 2022
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    How long was the car parked, and could the 12v be low?
     
    #2 SFO, Jan 23, 2022
  3. Gino Veltri

    Gino Veltri Member

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    I just parked yesterday, 12 v could be low but I always keep a spare in the car, the fob has never worked (except in the dash, to start the car). I put a handle with a large Toyota key on it (that I locked in the car). My fob just has a blank metal key on it.

    to be clear, I have the fob but locked the metal key for the drivers door in it. Key fob starts the car but the buttons have never worked to lock and unlock. If I can get the buttons working , I can open the car n avoid “breaking in” which would look strange in a long term airport parking lot.
     
    #3 Gino Veltri, Jan 23, 2022
  4. Gino Veltri

    Gino Veltri Member

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    So I locked my drivers dooor key (aftermarket from some Toyota, uses a standard Toyota key instead of little Prius metal key) in my car at airport parking , but I have my key fob. Only problem is, my key fob has never worked to lock and unlock the doors. Hence the aftermarket key. So am I going to use my coat hanger skills or does anyone know of a way to get my key fob to unlock the car as it should.

    2005 Prius non sks with aftermarket door handle and key locked in car, key fob only starts the car in the dash. Buttons illuminate red light when pressed but don’t unlock or lock the doors
     
    #4 Gino Veltri, Jan 24, 2022
  5. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Wow that's interesting it's almost like it's been disabled in the computer system by the Toyota tech stream or some such type of thing if some other programming company now that says they can do it too it sounds like it's just been completely turned off but then again if it's needed to start the car as in being inserted into the amplifier slot then that kind of doesn't make sense I thought if it was disabled in the menu with text stream then it would be completely disabled That's very strange
     
    #5 Tombukt2, Jan 24, 2022
  6. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    I would do the AAA, or see if one of the car rental agencies has a slim jim handy. I like the under and over type that allows you can click the unlock button. Of course there is a coat hanger, though they are hard to find when you actually need them.

    Going forward, you might get that blank fob key cut, or stick a hide-a-key somewhere.
     
    #6 SFO, Jan 24, 2022
  7. privilege

    privilege Active Member

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    after you coat hanger your way in, zip tie a spare key under the body.
     
    #7 privilege, Jan 25, 2022
  8. Gino Veltri

    Gino Veltri Member

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    i used to have two wires sticking out of the passengers side that when connected would unlock the car, because locking it was only for special occasions (like long term airport parking), same reason i never bothered to make a spare and hide it outside. I guess, hindsight is a bunch of numbers.
     
    #8 Gino Veltri, Jan 25, 2022
  9. Gino Veltri

    Gino Veltri Member

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    #9 Gino Veltri, Jan 25, 2022
  10. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    Seems you had a great run while it lasted all this time but, maybe buy a new fob on eBay, program it, cut a new key and save yourself problems next time.
     
    #10 Another, Jan 25, 2022
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