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SmartKey not unlocking doors

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by f18cmech, Oct 29, 2018.

  1. f18cmech

    f18cmech Junior Member

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    Hello all,
    On my 2008 Prius my smarykey is only useful for sticking in the slot to start the car. It does not unlock the doors and the proximity unlock and start features of course are not working. The red light on the fob lights up when pressing the buttons. The key button is sticking out. Anything else could be wrong? Thanks...
     
  2. Randall Gradle

    Randall Gradle Junior Member

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    Check under the steering column that the smart key vacation button is not pushed in. It keeps the battery from draining when you do not use the car for extended periods by disabling the radio receiver.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    bisco likes this.
  3. f18cmech

    f18cmech Junior Member

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    I'm sorry but this is the most over stated step in prius history, that was the first thing I tried.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Low 12v?
    Has it worked in the past? If not, migHt be wrong fob
     
  5. f18cmech

    f18cmech Junior Member

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    Diagnostic mode reads 14v
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Doesn’t mean any
    Thing, that’s when it is being charged
     
  7. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    If the battery key is old I'd change it anyways. Any work done to the center console? Sensor for key in the console.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  8. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    There are many ding dongs in the world. Thus the obvious gets overstated.


    This is ambiguous
    Maybe he means the SKS fob button is correctly sticking out? He did say the led on the fob lights-up when a button is depressed. So clearly, the SKS fob buttons are sticking out.
    This is NOT abiguous: The SKS button under the steering wheel column is in the ON position.
    You have to be ignorant and/or stupid to NOT know what this means.
    No room for misinterpretation. No ambiguity. Its clear. Its concise.​

    To BEST diagnosis the problem, answer the following questions:
    1) When did you acquire this car?
    2) Did the SKS fob work correctly before?
    3) Is there a causal relationship event? Maybe the car was recently returned from the body shop, and now a week later the SKS sytems doesn't work.
    4) What about the second SKS fob? Does it work? When new, this car originally came with two SKS fobs.
    5) What is the voltage reading of the CR2032 battery?
    6a) What is the voltage of the 12V battery under a load?
    6b)Is my inverter coolant pump slowly failing? | PriusChat
    Post #5) How to apply a load.
    Post #8) State of Charge chart, AGM compatible battery chargers.​
    7) When you depress the lock/unlock buttons, on the SKS fob, do the car doors lock/unlock?
    8) When you depress the panic/horn button on the SKS fob, does the car horn sound?
    9) Did the SKS fob get damaged? Maybe there is physical damage to the circuit board that is not visible w/o visual magnification?
    10) Maybe a insect/creature damaged some wires of the SKS system, esp the center console antenna? CHECK the center console antenna and wiring for damage.
    11) Maybe a fuse that protects the SKS system blew? Check this fuse.
    12) Maybe your friend(s) are messing w/ you and disconnected the SKS system somehow?
    13) Maybe someone took your SKS fob by mistake? Maybe your friend(s) are playing a trick on you and swapped SKS fobs?
    14) It is an automotive part. It will die at some point. Unfortunately now?
     
    #8 exstudent, Nov 3, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2018