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Key fob not unlocking/locking doors, red light flashes after battery replacement then disappears

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by helpmewithmykey, Nov 14, 2020.

  1. helpmewithmykey

    helpmewithmykey New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2020
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    Location:
    Santa Cruz, California
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Hi everyone,

    Yesterday I discovered my 2004 Gen 2 Prius fob would not unlock/lock my doors and I am having some trouble figuring out the issue.

    As soon as I replaced the battery in the fob the Prius blinkers simultaneous flashed and the small red LED light in the corner of the fob blinked for about 10-20 seconds, but after that there was not response from the fob. I can still insert the key into the car and it turns on and runs fine, but pressing the lock, unlock, or alarm button on the fob does not do anything to the car and the little red light on the fob does not flash. So it seems to me the fob is not dead because I got a reaction when I first inserted the battery, but I am confused about the lack of response afterwards.

    I feel like I have ready every post on this website and others but almost everything is about smart keys and the small reset button under the steering wheel which I do not have. Any help is very much appreciated!

    A little more info:
    -I bought a new two pack of batteries, tried both of them and both resulted in what I described above
    - My car does not have smart key functionality, so I don't have the little key button under the steering wheel to reset smart key function
    -similar posts suggested that a button on the fob may be stuck, I get a good click and bounce back with each button press so I don't believe that is the issue
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
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    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    If you put in a battery and you get a reaction from the car just by putting the battery in, then a key is probably stuck. Take it totally apart and clean the area the buttons touch with alcohol and then the back of the button.
     
    #2 rjparker, Nov 15, 2020
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2020
    SFO likes this.
  3. PriusHead05

    PriusHead05 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2020
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    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Yes. I had one of my key fob buttons that were jammed. I would shade the key fob and the red light would flash. Car would not respond to the buttons. All you have to do is remove the rubber area of the fob (where the buttons are). That's what I did to mine. Now it works perfectly.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  4. PriusHead05

    PriusHead05 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2020
    289
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    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    "I would shake the key fob..." Sorry. Typo.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.