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2008 Prius Chirps 5 Times When Unlocking Doors

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by DougP73, Dec 12, 2015.

  1. DougP73

    DougP73 New Member

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    Hello All,

    When I get near the driver's door on my 2008 Prius in attempt to unlock the door, nothing happens. However, when I get near the passenger door or the rear hatch, they will both open but the car chirps 5 times. The driver's door remains locked. It's not the battery in the key FOB, because if it was, no doors would open unless I remove the key from the FOB and physically open the door the "traditional" way.

    Any ideas?
     
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Check for hiding bird with malevolent sense of humor.

    Seriously? I don't know. Strange that it all seems to be working except for the drivers door.
    You sure there isn't something wrong with the drivers door itself?
    In other words- once in the car can you lock and unlock the driver door using the button in the car?

    Even though you say it isn't the battery, Fob batteries are cheap enough that I certainly would make that my first "check".
    If that doesn't work?

    I think remedy becomes a whole lot more complicated.
    Any other strange symptoms?

    How old is your 12 volt battery?
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    not sure what 5 chirps mean, does the o/m list it?

    are there any aftermarket install, or dealer add ons such as alarm, remote start and etc?

    doe ehe drivers door unlock if you push the fob unlock button?
     
  4. DougP73

    DougP73 New Member

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    No, once in the car I still can't lock or unlock the driver's door. The only way to unlock the driver's door once in the car is to manually unlock it pushing the rocker latch.

    My 12 volt battery is new earlier this year. So, I know that isn't it.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe the lock motor is dead, and the 5 chirps are a warning.
     
  6. DougP73

    DougP73 New Member

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    I couldn't find 5 chirps in the user's manual.

    There are no aftermarket alarms or remote start. Just what came with the car straight off the lot.

    The driver's door does not unlock by pushing the FOB unlock button. The only way I can unlock the driver's door from the outside, is to remove the key from the FOB and unlock the door "the old fashion way". From the inside, the only way to unlock the driver's door is to use my finger and push the rocker latch to the open position.

    All other doors work. Just the driver's door doesn't. I'm wondering if it is the actuator that's bad. I'd hate to spend $175 on Amazon, go through the pain in replacing the actuator to find out there is something else wrong. Maybe electronically leading to the actuator.
     
  7. DougP73

    DougP73 New Member

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    That's what I'm thinking. I would hate to spend the money to get the lock motor replaced to find out there is a problem with the signal getting to the motor.
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you would have to do some investigative work i suppose. maybe open the panel and put some power to it? there are lots of threads here on the actuators. even some people who have fixed them for free, if you're so inclined. btw, welcome to priuschat!
     
  9. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    I'd replace the battery in the key fob before the actuator motor.
     
  10. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    I think mine did work pretty much like yours when my drivers lock actuator had frozen. At least the chirping noise was there.
    So unless yours is frozen… It’s likely just faulty lock actuator or wiring to it.

    If you decide to fix the old actuator, test it before closing the door! Some peoples have made some mistake and gotten then door that can’t be opened from in or out.
     
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  11. DougP73

    DougP73 New Member

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    If the key FOB opens up the passenger door and the rear hatch, I'm not so convinced it is the battery in the key FOB.
     
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  12. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    Have you ever replaced the battery in the key fob?
     
  13. Jwservant

    Jwservant Junior Member

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    It's not the key fob battery as stated above because it just sends a signal to unlock doors,so if it's unlocking any doors,then it's sending a signal. We replace a lot of left front door lock actuators at the dealership I work at.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    also, it doesn't work from the inside door switch.
     
  15. DougP73

    DougP73 New Member

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    Could it just be the motor JW? What if I just replaced the motor in the actuator? Or, could the actuator itself be "frozen" as well?
     
  16. DougP73

    DougP73 New Member

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    Correct Bisco. The only way I can open the front left door (driver's door) is to manually press the rocker switch up by the door handle. Not the one that unlocks all the doors.
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sounds like the actuator. or a connection.
     
  18. DougP73

    DougP73 New Member

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    Once before, yes.
     
  19. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Yes normally only the small electric motor in the actuator fails and you only need to replace that. Check that your replacement motor works in same direction as original. If not you can swap the direction by spinning the back plate. After the actuator has been repaired check that it works before putting it back into the door and closing it! Other vice you might end up with door that can’t be opened.

    Mine was just frozen with ice. It had been the type of weather that causes water to condensate on everything and then to freeze.
     
  20. DougP73

    DougP73 New Member

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    Thanks Valde3. Where might I find just the motor for the actuator? (If it is just the motor) I would probably do some testing to figure that out.