Key fob has to be in the slot to start car.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by ToyotaGal, Oct 28, 2025 at 12:09 PM.

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  1. ToyotaGal

    ToyotaGal Member

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    Hi all,
    It's been too long.
    I have an 08 prius and the other day, the key fob stopped working. It won't lock or unlock the car and it won't start even if I hold it up to the start button.
    It's not the key button . The mechanic is changing a front hub rotors and break pad as I was a bad girl and hit the curb in a parking lot. They checked the key and said the key was working.
    What else do u think could be causing the fob not to work?
     
    #1 ToyotaGal, Oct 28, 2025 at 12:09 PM
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    In gen 2, there is a "KEY" button under the driver-side dash that might have gotten bumped in the repair. When set one way, the car won't start except with the key in the slot, and the doors won't unlock just by proximity (though they still should unlock and lock if you press those buttons on the fob).

    If even the buttons on the fob won't lock / unlock the doors, the battery in the fob probably needs to be replaced.

    Holding the fob up to the start button isn't a thing in gen 2. Gen 2 has the slot to stick the fob in. Holding it up to the button is a gen 3 thing, instead of having a slot.
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Oct 28, 2025 at 12:21 PM
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  3. ToyotaGal

    ToyotaGal Member

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    I checked the key button and changed the fob battery. The mechanic also checked the fob and said it was working correctly.
     
    #3 ToyotaGal, Oct 28, 2025 at 1:08 PM
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    could be the 12 volt, get a free load test at most auto parts stores
     
    #4 bisco, Oct 28, 2025 at 1:14 PM
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i'm not sure how the mech checked the fob, but make sure you use reputable batteries from reputable sources.
    more than one battery issue has been due to amazon and etc.
     
    #5 bisco, Oct 28, 2025 at 1:16 PM
  6. ToyotaGal

    ToyotaGal Member

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    He had a tool and you put the fob in the circle and it scans and beeps to let u know the fob is working.
    The battery was purchased at cvs.
    Mechanic said they would look at the issue while doing other work. Etween almost 500 in parts and labor, I am broke. After this the Lexus needs a little love.
     
    #6 ToyotaGal, Oct 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
  7. ToyotaGal

    ToyotaGal Member

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    I put the car in maintenence mode and battery was 13.4 while driving and 13.6 in nuetral.
     
    #7 ToyotaGal, Oct 28, 2025 at 2:07 PM
  8. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Been thru the wash??
     
    #8 Tombukt2, Oct 28, 2025 at 2:07 PM
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that only means that the inverter is working, not that the battery is good.
     
    #9 bisco, Oct 28, 2025 at 2:08 PM
  10. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Should be 14.5 ready and at rest nothing on with the test meter after sitting 30 or 40 minutes should be 12.5 to 12.8
     
    #10 Tombukt2, Oct 28, 2025 at 2:12 PM
  11. ToyotaGal

    ToyotaGal Member

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    You mean a car wash? Or the fog on a washing machine cause I left it in a pocket?
     
    #11 ToyotaGal, Oct 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM
  12. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    No, he likely means the latter.

    What do you mean by, "the fog on a washing machine"? Maybe, "the fob in a washing machine"?

    If you left your fob in a pocket and then washed the item of clothing, then that is likely the reason the fob no longer works.
    You need to clarify what you mean by "checked the key button". The "Key" button operates the SKS disable function. You press the button to the "in" position to switch the disable ON; you toggle the button to the "out" position to turn the disable OFF. So, you are saying the "Key" button is in the "out" position?

    The 12V could read anything from 13.2V to 14.4V when in READY. It does not tell you anything meaningful about the state or condition of the 12V battery itself. Static voltages are not really useful in general. Getting the battery load tested would be more helpful.
     
    #12 dolj, Oct 29, 2025 at 12:17 AM
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2025 at 12:26 AM
  13. ToyotaGal

    ToyotaGal Member

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    Checked the key button means I checked it to make sure it didn't accidentally get pushed to deactivate it.
     
    #13 ToyotaGal, Oct 29, 2025 at 10:32 AM
  14. ToyotaGal

    ToyotaGal Member

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    No it didn't go through the wash.
     
    #14 ToyotaGal, Oct 29, 2025 at 10:32 AM
  15. ToyotaGal

    ToyotaGal Member

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    I am at the hybrid mechanics. They are checking it and said it might have to go to a locksmith to be reprogramed.
     
    #15 ToyotaGal, Oct 29, 2025 at 10:38 AM
  16. ToyotaGal

    ToyotaGal Member

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    Update. It's the smart key antenna that went bad.
     
    #16 ToyotaGal, Oct 29, 2025 at 11:13 AM
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  17. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    The antenna if I'm not mistaken is the slot it unscrews from the lower garnish it attached to . I've got tons of them here I didn't know they could go bad if flip it over the sticker says amplifier or something to that effect on the back of it. I guess like anything electrical they can go bad. My motorcycle has a physical wire wrapped around where key goes I guess because it has a cut key . Prius do Not need to start the cut key that is .
     
    #17 Tombukt2, Oct 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM
  18. ToyotaGal

    ToyotaGal Member

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    Update. Hybrid mechanic spent 3 hours on it. Cleaned the reciever/ antenna terminals and that didn't fix the problem.
    They told me to call a locksmith. He came out and he couldn't program it. I did have the battery tested and its good. All mechanics and locksmith did say it can't be the started battery.
    I don't who what to do next. Will call hybrid mechanic when they open in am.
     
    #18 ToyotaGal, Oct 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i thought the antenna was bad, does the hybrid mechanic have tech stream?
     
    #19 bisco, Oct 29, 2025 at 8:55 PM
  20. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Do you know where the antenna is ?
     
    #20 Tombukt2, Oct 29, 2025 at 9:17 PM
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