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Has anyone changed the battery in their SK fob and it still doesn't work?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Jeffrimerman, Aug 6, 2012.

  1. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

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    I tried a few used batteries I had laying around, so then I ordered the exact battery that was in the fob, Panasonic 2032 and it still doesn't work. The car has always sensed my hand at door and I still don't need to put the key in the slot. I can just push start, but the lock and unlock buttons don't respond. Just wondering if they are really picky and I need to try another battery like Duracell or something? I've read that the red light should come on when the buttons are pressed, and they don't with the new battery so the new battery is probably too weak.
     
  2. gmcneil05

    gmcneil05 Member

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    Your buttons just must be bad if the smart key part still works.
     
  3. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

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    I try the same battery in my spare key and see. Hopefully the fob isn't bad.
     
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I agree that there may be something wrong with the fob buttons, if the car will recognize the fob approaching.
     
  5. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

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    I tried the same new battery in both fobs. Unless it's a super coincidence that the buttons on both simultaneously stopped working. It must be something to do with the new batteries being to weak. So far only the original battery has been able to make the red light blink once in a while.
     
  6. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    The fob won't work if the sks button under the dash is turned off
     
  7. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

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    yeah, I messed with that button too. I pressed it and the fob wouldn't work at all, then depressed it and the smart key started working again. Buttons on fob still won't work. I'll buy a battery at walgreens and try that.
     
  8. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

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    As far as I can tell the car has always and still continues to recognize the fob approaching. I'm sure if the buttons were broken, then whatever sends out a signal to the car could continue to operate. I don't think the buttons control that part of it, but I'm just guessing. I think the buttons only operate the keyless entry circuit since the smark key operates just fine.
     
  9. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    Ah, missed the car starts with the button, not an sks issue, and it's an '05, how's the 12v?
     
  10. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

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    When I did the self check it was good, but that was a few months ago. Could that cause the car's keyless entry to not function at all, even when sitting in the car?
     
  11. diggity

    diggity New Member

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    I hope you find a solution. I'm having the exact same problem. Original battery on the FOB went dead - I replaced it with a new 2032 battery and it still doesn't work.
     
  12. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

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    I'm glad I'm not alone. I wonder if when I let both fobs go completely dead that somehow the frequency of the keyless entry needs to be re-married. I'll look up the instructions for the no sk fob and see if that helps.
     
  13. Jeffrimerman

    Jeffrimerman Member

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    Ok I just figured it out. I pretty much gave up then wanted to try to open up the fob. I wondered why the red button seemed stuck so I felt around the edge with a small sharp knife. Then the red button started moving and all buttons worked fine. Funky how both of the remotes have the exact same stuck red button.