1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

KEY BATTERY LOW (sort of)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Jay Gloab, Oct 5, 2013.

  1. Jay Gloab

    Jay Gloab Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2013
    27
    6
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    So, whenever my wife and I are both in the car (or more precisely, whenever both of our keys are in the car), when I shut it off, the KEY BATTERY LOW warning appears. But this never happens to either of us when we drive it solo.

    Anybody ever see this? Can I safely ignore it until/unless we start to see the warning individually?
     
    #1 Jay Gloab, Oct 5, 2013
  2. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    How old are the fob batteries? They typically last about 2 years.

    SCH-I535 now Free
     
    #2 xliderider, Oct 5, 2013
  3. Jay Gloab

    Jay Gloab Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2013
    27
    6
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I don't know, I bought the car used about 2 months ago.
     
    #3 Jay Gloab, Oct 5, 2013
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I'm on a mobile device so I can't see what year your car is, that is if you've filled that info in.

    If it's a 2010, it may be time to replace the batteries. I've already replaced the batteries in my 2010 Camry SKS fobs.

    You could also wait to see if you start getting the message individually as well. If the fob battery does die, you can still get in using the mechanical key in the fob, then start the car by holding the fob next to the Start button for a few seconds before pushing Start.

    SCH-I535 now Free
     
    #4 xliderider, Oct 5, 2013
  5. Jay Gloab

    Jay Gloab Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2013
    27
    6
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Sorry, it's a 2010 Prius III.

    I just find it weird that this only happens when we're both in the car. It suggests that it's some kind of glitch rather than a real low battery.
     
    #5 Jay Gloab, Oct 5, 2013
  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    7,848
    3,102
    0
    Location:
    Honolulu, HI
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Not necessarily, the system might be having a harder time validating the SKS signal from fob because there are two of them, possibly with weaker RF signals. Especially if this has only started to happen recently.

    SCH-I535 now Free
     
    #6 xliderider, Oct 5, 2013
    TsKarma likes this.
  7. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2012
    1,388
    351
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Replace both batteries and see if the message is back. Then you will know for sure.
     
    #7 Jonny Zero, Oct 5, 2013
    TsKarma likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)