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New Prius won't unlock or go into drive

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by darinf, May 26, 2007.

  1. darinf

    darinf Junior Member

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    After having my first service done at the dealer yesterday, everything was working fine.
    Today I go out to the car and it will not unlock with the key in my pocket and my hand pulling on any of the handles. All I get is 4 beeps and then nothing.

    I then try hitting the unlock buttok button on the key FOB and all I get is 4 beeps,but the car does not unlock.

    I have to use the key on the driver's side to open the door.

    When I try to turn on the power, all the lights on the dash light up but not the Nav screen. Even the hazard triangle and all the other warning lights stay on.

    If I try to put the car into drive with my foot on the brake, nothing happens. Same for reverse.

    I even tried inserting the key into the dash, but it still won't do anything.

    Then when I hit the Power button, the power will NOT shut off! Eventually the car shuts itself off, but will not stop beeping.

    I know I need to have it towed to the dealer, but I thought maybe someone might have an idea about getting tha car working enough to drive to the dealer...

    Any ideas what could be wrong?

    Thanks,
    Darin
     
    #1 darinf, May 26, 2007
  2. hschuck

    hschuck Member

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    It is probably that the 12 volt battery is low or has become disconnected. I would visually check the battery and try a jump start following the directions in the manual.
     
    #2 hschuck, May 27, 2007
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hschuck @ May 27 2007, 08:27 PM) [snapback]450781[/snapback]</div>
    It's a 12V battery. Otherwise all good advice.

    Tom
     
    #3 qbee42, May 27, 2007
  4. hschuck

    hschuck Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ May 27 2007, 05:29 PM) [snapback]450785[/snapback]</div>
    ya, I knew that. Must have been thinking airplanes. Thanks (I edited the post)
     
    #4 hschuck, May 27, 2007
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hschuck @ May 27 2007, 09:05 PM) [snapback]450810[/snapback]</div>
    Maybe 400 Hz too. :D

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, May 27, 2007
  6. 1fixitman

    1fixitman Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darinf @ May 26 2007, 04:56 PM) [snapback]450532[/snapback]</div>
    Welllll....did you ever get your issue resolved or were you too embarased to tell us. What was the problem with your Prius? It has been 15 days. Tell us the story so others can see it.
     
    #6 1fixitman, Jul 10, 2007
  7. darinf

    darinf Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(D Rock @ Jul 10 2007, 06:03 AM) [snapback]476076[/snapback]</div>
    Sorry about not reporting back...

    The problem was that the 12V battery was too low. I am not sure how the 12V got discharged.

    A jump start did the trick. I have not had the same problem again, although I did recently have a similar problem, but there was just enough juice to get the power turned on and start the car.

    BTW, why does a car with a charged battery need a jump start? Can't they design a way for the electrical system to use the main battery when the 12V is dead? I realize the voltages are totally different, but it sure felt ridiculous to be "dead in the water" and need a jump start with a fully charged battery available which cannot be used.

    Oh well...

    -Darin
     
    #7 darinf, Jul 10, 2007
  8. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darinf @ Jul 10 2007, 11:57 AM) [snapback]476145[/snapback]</div>
    Yes, they could design a manual bypass for the 12V charging system, but I suspect the designers decided that the extra cost, weight, and complexity was not justified by the occasional need for a jump. Some people carry a small 12V jump battery with them just in case.

    Tom
     
    #8 qbee42, Jul 10, 2007
  9. artbart

    artbart New Member

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    I just got my 2005 Prius fixed for the same problem. It would only unlock manually, all dashboard lights on, no display screen, would not shut off, etc. The dealer replaced the 12 volt battery--it hard a short in it. I did not have to have the car towed--a jump start worked fine.
     
    #9 artbart, Aug 19, 2009
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