key fob starts the car, but unable to lock/unlock door

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by hoon84lee, Jul 8, 2014.

  1. hoon84lee

    hoon84lee Junior Member

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    I bought a used 05 prius about 3,4 years ago. It came with only one key, but everything was fine, except for few minor things. I have changed 12v battery within a month of purchasing this car, to optima yellow top as many priuschat users suggested.

    I bought another black logo fob (non-SKS) on ebay, and did the chicken dance to get a spare key, but no luck. Maybe i did it too fast(?), i was trying to do as fast as i can, but the anti theft light never came and stayed on (entering programming mode).

    All of sudden, I noticed the fob doesn't lock/unlock the vehicle, but still starts the car. Since then, i unlock with metal key, then start with key fob. Manual door lock/unlock button works fine at driver side. However, when i try to lock the door from passenger side manually, it unlocks the door right away.

    Thinking about getting a mini vci cable with techstream to setup a key fob after checking the 12v battery. but it only have been 3,4 years, seems it is too early to replace 12v battery. Any other suggestion?
     
    #1 hoon84lee, Jul 8, 2014
  2. GMAccord

    GMAccord Junior Member

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    Maybe change the key fob battery first...
     
    #2 GMAccord, Jul 8, 2014
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Mini VCI will not allow you to program the car to accept a fob. You need a special version of Toyota Techstream to have that feature enabled.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Jul 8, 2014
  4. hoon84lee

    hoon84lee Junior Member

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    I already changed the battery on the key fob. Still nothing.

    Key fob button wasn't stuck to anything. Pressing a button on the fob shows bright red light.

     
    #4 hoon84lee, Jul 8, 2014
  5. hoon84lee

    hoon84lee Junior Member

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    Do you know what version do i need and any special tools?

     
    #5 hoon84lee, Jul 8, 2014
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I'm suspecting the key you bought on ebay is not new, used keys can't be programmed using the chicken dance
     
    #6 JC91006, Jul 8, 2014
  7. Easy Rider

    Easy Rider Active Member

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    THIS is likely the critical clue.
    The manual switch in the pass. door is likely shorted or damaged such that it really is in the "unlock" position electrically when it is at center mechanically.
    Does it feel sticky at all ??
     
    #7 Easy Rider, Jul 8, 2014
  8. hoon84lee

    hoon84lee Junior Member

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    I guess so, i have researched for couple days for now. I thought it still would be able to overwrite the memory on used fob.

     
    #8 hoon84lee, Jul 8, 2014
  9. hoon84lee

    hoon84lee Junior Member

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    Currently my girlfriend drive the prius, so i would ask her about it after work. She told me that it worked before, but when i was using her vehicle it didn't.

    What do you mean 'feel sticky'? and which part?

     
    #9 hoon84lee, Jul 8, 2014
  10. Easy Rider

    Easy Rider Active Member

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    The part that you are moving to try to lock it on the passengers door.

    In addition to the mechanical latch associated with the opening handle, isn't there an electrical switch in the arm rest ??

    I guess there could be a problem with either but I'm suggesting the electrical lock/unlock switch in the arm rest.....or somewhere else on the door.

    I mean does it move freely like the one on the other side........or when you push it toward "unlock" does it stick there and not bounce back to center.
     
    #10 Easy Rider, Jul 8, 2014
  11. hoon84lee

    hoon84lee Junior Member

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    I tried, but nothing sticky on any paty of it.

     
    #11 hoon84lee, Jul 9, 2014
  12. Easy Rider

    Easy Rider Active Member

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    It still could be the problem if the switch contacts are stuck together or the wires are shorted.
     
    #12 Easy Rider, Jul 9, 2014
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If your key fob is in the car or your car is on, the car will not let you lock it. If you use the power door lock buttons or the switch inside the car, once your press lock, the default would be for the car to unlock after you press the lock button. It is an automatic program in the car that won't allow you to lock the car. This happens also when the door is open and you press the lock button, it will automatically unlock itself, not allowing you to lock.
     
    #13 JC91006, Jul 10, 2014
  14. hoon84lee

    hoon84lee Junior Member

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    I think you are right..

     
    #14 hoon84lee, Jul 10, 2014
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