Car not starting in key slot

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by richard203, Nov 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM.

  1. richard203

    richard203 Member

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    2008 Prius car does not start when putting the key in the key slot or keyless start. The only way it can start is putting the key under the steering wheel. This all started when the car died and have to jump started
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    That's interesting because the amplifier and antenna are built into the key slot I believe . The label on the bottom of the key slot denotes amplifier and a part number so now you're key under wheel . Nothing really down they're . I'd literally have to take my fob scanner and run it around the steer wheels amplifier etc and see what's pushing a signal . Really strange . I'm not sure how many antennae there are . And nothing's happened to fob . You only have 1?
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    very strange. i would replace the fob battery with a new duracell, and get a free load test on the 12 volt at most auto parts stores.
    do you have a second fob?
     
  4. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Is this the same car that you created a thread about on October 16th? https://priuschat.com/index.php?posts/3572243
     
  5. richard203

    richard203 Member

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  6. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Have you charged the 12v battery completely (12 to 18 hours) yet?
     
  7. richard203

    richard203 Member

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    Yes we jumped and we drove it to charge up the battery and it starts up every-time without jumping it.
     
  8. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Did the same key previously work when you put it into the slot? Maybe the chip is missing inside the fob.