Prius starting without fob

Are you CERTAIN the other key isn't in the car? Make sure you have both keys in your hand and step away from the car!

Richard

 

Did she buy it new? If so, it should have come with two fobs.

Did she buy it used? If so, I'd explore the possibility that the original owner 'lost' it somewhere inside the car, and it has now shifted slightly from undetectable to a detectable position. (Despite Toyota's efforts, some folks have demonstrated that there are undetectable positions inside.) Or might have intentionally stored it as a backup, and the shielding (e.g. aluminum foil) that previously prevented radio detection has now been comprised.

If it is inside, but hidden so well it cannot be located, then have a dealer re-program the car to accept only the known fob. This service will cost a few $.

But despite these suggestions, I can't exclude the possibility of a true malfunction.

 

Clearly, she got one key - the other is in the car somewhere - hiding - waiting to be discovered.......

 

Unless you were in the car and she started it and you got out, then she can drive away and car will run until she turns it off. Then she would be in trouble because it would not start again. I have never heard of this problem before, other than like everyone has mentioned, extra key could be hiden in the car.

 

Rebooting would be by disconnecting the 12V battery under the right-hand trunk floor, and leaving it unconnected for several minutes. The car must also be turned off, as it can keep itself alive if left in 'Ready' mode with this battery removed.

It won't hurt anything, but neither will it help with anything that we are suspecting.

 

Yes, that's a good place to start... Just disconnect the battery for a few minutes... The whole system will reboot / possibly clear up a malfunction.

 

As long as your doors can still be locked with your existing FOB it shouldn't be too much of a concern for awhile ... But having only one set of keys is way more hassle if you lose them rather than investing in a spare set before you lose them.. Make sure you also get a spare mechanical key cut (best price from Toyota dealer is less than $10). There's hours of reading on how to get a low-cost replacement FOB on Prius Chat...

 

Something similar happened to us recently.

My wife told me she was having trouble locking the car with the SKS touch handle on the driver's door. No matter how many times she pressed the handle, the doors would not lock.

I then discovered that my fob was missing. Turns out my fob came off my belt and fell between the driver's seat and center armrest. I guess the car was trying not to have a driver lock themselves out of the car with the fob still inside the car.

 

yes that exactly how it works !!! if the a key is inside AND detected you can not lock the car with the OTHER fob ...

Try !!!!

 

Nice to find a post with a happy ending.

 

You had to resurrect a six year old post to find a happy ending?

 

The post was only 6 years old?