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Prisu 2010 mechanical key in FOB do not work

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by alexk345, Apr 30, 2024.

  1. alexk345

    alexk345 Junior Member

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    hi all ,

    I thought i tell my experience

    There is a physical key in FOB.

    I assumed it work like in any car. NOT THE CASE.

    if Battery is completely down , you can open car with physical key. I called the TOYOTA guys they said it has no connection to battery. Probably the guy who answered never repaired prius.

    Prius need battery even with physical key.

    So i had to order UNLOCK kit from amazon and it arrived and watched few youtube videos to unlock it.

    Anyways i thought if people ask if they cant open with real physical key , tell them to get unlock kit
     
    #1 alexk345, Apr 30, 2024
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  2. alexk345

    alexk345 Junior Member

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    Physical Key works fine after i bought new battery from canadian tire , 337 tax inclued and they took my old battery.
     
    #2 alexk345, Apr 30, 2024
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what's the point to having a physical key, if you need the battery?
     
    #3 bisco, Apr 30, 2024
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  4. alexk345

    alexk345 Junior Member

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    I asked the same question , but toyota guy said , you dont need. LIARS.

    Hybrid cars need battery. Issue is this. If you can charge 12V from outside then there is no issue. You need unlock kit if your battry die completely.

    Physical key is only for FOB dont work because its battery inside fob down.

    Without battery you cant open the car.

    Or it has some sort of deadlock mechanism in that as battery dying it enable the safety mechanism.

    That is ok but how do you open the car?

    Every time battery dies... its only way. They should have charging port for 12v battery
     
    #4 alexk345, Apr 30, 2024
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  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I have a 2010 gen 3, and its physical metal key physically unlocks the driver's door, with or without any battery power. It is a simple direct mechanical linkage.

    I've owned a gen 1 and a couple gen 2s and those worked the same way.
     
    #5 ChapmanF, Apr 30, 2024
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  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    And only the driver's door takes the physical key so what in the world
     
    #6 Tombukt2, Apr 30, 2024
  7. HKz

    HKz Junior Member

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    Hmmm our 2011's battery died last year, I did not have any trouble opening the driver's door with the physical key...

    Now the hatch yes, that is impossible to open from the outside if your battery dies. I know this because after I used the physical key to get in, I crawled over the seats to the rear area to open the plastic paneling in order to reveal the physical hatch release so I could comfortably change the battery lol
     
    #7 HKz, May 1, 2024
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  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    After you unlock the drivers door, open it, reach in and pull the lid handle.
    Then go around to the front of the car, open the hood and prop it open.
    Then remove the cover for the fuses. Flip the red cover at the top of the fuse box
    to expose the positive terminal. Either use jumper cables that are attached to a
    good, charged 12v battery, or attach a jump box. This will supply power to the car.
    It is very likely you'll be able to open the trunk lid normally...
     
    #8 ASRDogman, May 1, 2024
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  9. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    The lock cylinder in the driver's door has a mechanical link to the door latch - no power required.

    What I have seen on this type of system is that the lock doesn't get any use in years. When you do try the key, the lock cylinder is dirty or sticky and won't turn. Maybe working the key a few times will free it up, maybe it needs lubrication.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #9 mr_guy_mann, May 1, 2024
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