Smart Key dying??

The owner's manual mentions something about the SKS transmitter and cell phone proximity. Check it out.

 

Hi Angels Fan

There have been reports of having the fob near or adjacent to a cellphone interferes with the smart key function. Do you have your cellphone next to your fob?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Angels Fan @ Apr 7 2007, 01:27 PM) [snapback]419415[/snapback]</div>

If the fob spends a lot of time near the car, it can run the fob's battery down quickly. Like my family room couch is about 5 feet from the driver's door of the car when it is in the garage. I think the manual says something about 15 feet to keep the fob in a low power mode, but the thing is in a higher power state when it gets to 3 feet or so from the car's door when locked. Look for the red LED on the fob as you approach your car when it is locked. Mine starts blinking about 5 feet from the driver's door (couch range!).

I'd try replacing the fob's battery and see if that solves the problem. It may have spent too much time at the dealer's too close to the car before you picked it up if you don't think it has at home.

- Tom

 

" Look for the red LED on the fob as you approach your car when it is locked. Mine starts blinking about 5 feet from the driver's door (couch range!)."


I just learned that the fob has a red LED. This car and the systems continually amazes me!

 

mine still inexplicably does this, and it's not the battery or my phone. sometimes i have to take it out of my bag and hold it in front of the door, or in front of the power button. or both! :angry: we've been meaning to take a scantool to it to change the frequency that the car looks for the fob but never got around to it... still doesn't really explain it since it's only my fob and not DH's. i think we'll probably end up getting a new one while still in warranty.

 

Oh yes, the cell phone in the same pocket as the key fob screws mine up so I just have the key itself in one pocket, and all of my other things in the other. lol

 

Every once in a while mine exhibits the same behavior that Galaxee noted. I don't have my cell phone on usually, so I wouldn't think it would interfere (or would it?)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Apr 7 2007, 06:40 PM) [snapback]419574[/snapback]</div>

This can be specific to certain locations. My Smart Key does not work when I am in certain parking places in the garage where I work, in others nearby it works but is sluggish - some sort of interference here I presume. Otherwise my Smart Key always works perfectly.

 

my sks does this at home in the morning, and also at our last house, when i get to work it won't lock, couple times i've taken it over for DH to do something to it, the keys will be on the passenger seat and it won't do it. i wish it was only area specific.

of course, we keep on forgetting to mess with it...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Apr 10 2007, 06:08 PM) [snapback]421162[/snapback]</div>

Some areas have more EMI than others. My secure key bermuda triangle is the airport parking lot. Although the exact effect varies with location and time. Overhead UFO's have the same effect.

 

To those of you who would like to know more about how a typical PKE works(passive keyless entry a.k.a. smart key system),
here is an article on EETimes.com

http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml;j...cleID=187002723

In summary, the communication starts at 125K Hz (from base station, the Prius, to your transponder). If the command is
valid, the transponder sends out encripted codes to the base station with (315, 433, 868 or 915 MHz) UHF signal. (yes, that is close to some of the GSM bands, 800/900). I can imagine that if you are close to any GSM station, the SKS may be affected. Just my guess. Not sure about CDMA/TDMA frequency.

Toyota's SKS was made by Tokai-rika.co.jp. I imagine the system should be very similar to what was described in the article.
Just for your info.

 

we got a new smartkey today to replace my stupefied one DH also reduced time between pulses the car sends out looking for the key. i bet this takes care of it.