Power button won't power off

Can you describe the situation under which your car doesn't power off? I know that sometimes if I push the button too quickly (i.e. just stab at it), the car doesn't seem to register that as a "button push" and doesn't shut off. I've (mostly) trained myself to deliberately give the power button a good "push" so that the car shuts off. I also almost always set the emergency brake, so it's not a huge deal if I don't get the car shut off the first time.

 

Same here. Sometimes I press the Power button too quickly. I, too, hold it in for about half of a second when this happens to make sure it gets the message.

Setting the emergency brake beforehand is a good idea, too.

As for needing to press the Park button, the car will automatically do that for you if you press the Power button (which can be annoying if you need the car to be in "neutral" upon powering off.)

Just set the emergency brake and give the Power button a good press like Betelgeuse suggested, and all should be well.

 

checked your 12v ground cable lately? it may be loose.

 

If the car is in Drive, why would making it easy to power off in that mode be a good idea?

 

It's fine to power off in D. The system automatically engages Park first, then powers off. There is no functional difference.

My first guess is the quick push issue described above.

Other than that, you need to know that the Prius uses a speed sensor to keep you from powering down while moving. If it senses speed pulses above a very low setting, it won't let you power down unless you force the issue by holding in the power button. It could be possible that you are having speed sensor issues. Watch your MFD display and make sure the wheels are turning when you are moving.

Also, as pointed out above, 12V issues can cause all sorts of freakish behavior.

Tom

 

When you say fine, Is that a Toyota approved method of powering off the car? Or is it that the designers thoughtfully provided the feature to assist forgetful owners?

 

Fine as in it works exactly the same way. There is no functional difference. Toyota has stated that there is no difference.

I believe the owners manual calls out the two step approach. They did this in the interest of being methodical and avoiding human error. It is faster to punch the power button, which means there is a better chance of not powering off and not noticing it. People punch and run, only to discover their car is rolling away. You could accomplish the same factor of safety by always counting to five after pressing the power button. As for me, I prefer to pay attention.

Tom

 

Interesting, thanks. I am going to continue doing it the methodical way

 

If you set the parking brake, then there's less chance of "rolling away".

 

I've done that before, back when my Prius was new, and had it save me. I parked on a slight hill, set the brake because of the hill, got out, puzzled over the three beeps, and walked into the post office. It wasn't until I got back in the car that I realized that I had left it running AND in D! Yikes. Had I not set the brake, I'm sure I would have noticed before I got out, but still...

Tom

 

Yes, I can't imagine not applying the Parking brake, but I think in the UK we are more used to doing that (although the foot operated Parking brake is not so common), I guess because there are more cars with manual gears than automatics here in the UK.

 

IIRC, if you press and hold the power button, it puts the car in N. (It's been a while since I've tried that, so I could be completely wrong.)

 

Since it is happening VERY rarely, I wonder if the Prius operates like my '07 Camry Hybrid:

On my car, with my car in "gear", if I tap the POWER switch with my foot on the brake, it sometimes remains ON. (Other times it shifts to "ACC" state.) It appears to be indicative of how long I hit the button.

 

I have the same problem with my 2007 Prius not turning off. This happens once out of about every 10 times. I won't shut off when I hit the power button. I am deliberate and careful when I push the button. It always seems to go off on the second try. I have accidentally rolled forward on many occasions when I thought I had turned it off. Now I am careful to double check. I am worried that someone else will borrow the car and crash into something or someone.

I took it to the Toyota dealership today. It didn't shut off right when I pulled up, but of course when they tried, they couldn't replicate the problem. If they can't replicate it, they won't fix it. I am not sure what they were hoping to see. It is really quite simple, I push the button, and it does not go off. I don't know why they have to witness this for themselves (perhaps because the car is still under warranty and they don't want to pay for it).

If anyone has found a solution, I would really appreciate hearing about it.