2007 Smart Key Issue

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by mainestreamrob, Jul 27, 2026 at 12:05 PM.

Tags:
  1. mainestreamrob

    mainestreamrob Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2020
    25
    8
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Hello,

    2 weeks ago I got a new smart key programmed for my 07. Everything worked fine, the lock, unlock, alarm, opening locked door with key in pocket, starting car with key in pocket.

    a few days ago the opening locked door with key in pocket and start car with key in pocket stopped working. I’ve tried the button under the dash, unplugged 12v battery, replaced battery in fob and putting key up next to the start button and pressing start. None of these have solved the problem.

    the lock, unlock and siren buttons work fine. I called the locksmith I used and he doesn’t have a clue and says it doesn’t have anything to do with their programming since it worked fine up until a couple days ago.

    anybody have any idea? I’m not sure if the key they provided and programmed is a cheap knock off or not but it doesn’t have anything Toyota logo on the back, although my old one I lost didn’t either and it worked fine for years.

    really hoping to figure this out because I spent $280 on a new key and would like to utilize all the smart functions.

    thank you!
     
    #1 mainestreamrob, Jul 27, 2026 at 12:05 PM
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    13,844
    2,515
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Well the new remote that you bought from the locksmith or wherever you got it is not Sonic welded so it should pull apart show us the board and what's in case . I'm thinking a knock off . But the fact it worked . Should be able to work again . Should be a sticker under remote parts .
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Jul 27, 2026 at 12:37 PM
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    13,437
    5,424
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    There's a valet button under your steering wheel that you push to disable some of the functions. Sometimes when getting in and out of the car your leg can bump that button. Read your owner's manual for more details.

    upload_2026-7-27_10-39-26.png
     
    #3 PriusCamper, Jul 27, 2026 at 1:39 PM
  4. mainestreamrob

    mainestreamrob Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2020
    25
    8
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    I already ruled that out as I mentioned, thanks
     
    #4 mainestreamrob, Jul 27, 2026 at 3:33 PM
    Tombukt2 likes this.
  5. mainestreamrob

    mainestreamrob Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2020
    25
    8
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    yeah sucks, I checked my 12v battery health and it’s in good health so that’s not the problem either… not seeing anything else online that could give me an answer either. Very odd.
     

    Attached Files:

    #5 mainestreamrob, Jul 27, 2026 at 3:34 PM
  6. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    8,637
    4,390
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    And not to belabor the point and for completeness, the button labeled "KEY" should be in the out position.

    This button disables the SKS when it is pushed in.
     
    #6 dolj, Jul 27, 2026 at 6:17 PM
    PriusCamper likes this.
  7. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    13,437
    5,424
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks... I always get that one confused. Nice to see it in writing so I can more easily remember it!
     
    #7 PriusCamper, Jul 27, 2026 at 6:48 PM
  8. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    13,844
    2,515
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    That's not a factory board and remote
     
    #8 Tombukt2, Jul 27, 2026 at 7:06 PM
  9. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    13,844
    2,515
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    So if there are numbers on the board or in or on the remote on a sticker you maybe able to Google sticker info for instructions to program . Apparently it's already worked you've had it and had it working so it should be able to be reprogrammed why it's losing its programming I'm not sure
     
    #9 Tombukt2, Jul 27, 2026 at 7:11 PM
  10. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    13,437
    5,424
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Had a friend's Prius that would honk late at night and after his neighbors got mad at him he brought it to me and then my neighbors got mad at me too. Once the problem was sourced to a key FOB my friend bought a new "silver logo" FOB on Ebay and had his electronic locksmith friend came over to program it. Turns out the board he bought brand new on Ebay didn't have all the features it promised and was hard to program / different looking circuit board. The solution was disc grinding the panic switch off the circuit board of the old FOB and using the junk FOB he bought only as a backup FOB.
     
    #10 PriusCamper, Jul 27, 2026 at 7:13 PM
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)