Hello, My battery goes dead due to the cold weather. It died the night before last. I usually remember to put a battery heater on but did not expect the cold temp overnight (14 degrees F). When I attempted to jump the battery, I accidentally (obviously) placed the cables on wrong nodes and the alarm on my car started going off and everything locked down. I have tried to jump it correctly after charging the battery again but nothing I’ve done has let me back in to my car. I see on the dash that it is telling me basically everything is wrong and to see owners manual. (It is in the car). Currently, I am 55 miles from nearest town. I am in very rural Nevada. Is there a way to reset my car? What do I do to fix this? Thank you so much for any help provided ASAP.
You can get access to the car with the physical key that's tucked away in your key fob. There is a mechanical lock on the driver side door handle. Once in the car you can try to start the car normally. If that doesn't work or the Fob is not recognized you can attempt to start the car by placing the toyota emblem of the key fob on the START Button once inside the vehicle. Good Luck.
Thanks for your response. I did try that before posting. However, the mechanical key did not work. I am still unable to get in my car.
is this the first report of polarity switch jumping a Prime? maybe, removing the 12v batteries negative terminal for a while? dealer, triple A or AA rated locksmith
The Owner's Manual is also on-line: 2017 Toyota Prius Prime Owners Manual and Warranty - Toyota Owners
It's a mechanical key just like every other key in your pocket. You put it in the keyhole - if it doesn't go all the way in, flip it over and try again - turn it, and the door unlocks. No electricity required. The whole reason it's there is so you can unlock the door and pop the hood to recharge or replace your totally dead battery. If it doesn't work, then you've got the wrong key for your car.
It sometimes happens that, because no one uses the mechanical key for years on end, that mechanism in the door will not be easy to turn. Some lubricant might help, as bisco suggested above, or even some pliers, but be careful; breaking the key off in the cylinder will not make a better day. If there is any chance that the key might be the wrong one, of course force won't help. A dealer (and many locksmiths) will be able to cut a key that works, given the car's VIN and proof that the car is yours. (And assuming the lock cylinder wasn't changed at some point.)
I wonder what happened to OP? I hope he got the door open and have fixed the car somehow. I thought most of the newer jump stater has reverse polarity detection. OP must have been using another 12v battery from a car? So, what exactly happens to Prime in reverse polarity jump like this?
This is definitively a frightening $$$$ story... Reverse polarity jump / Fried inverter / 2008 Prius | PriusChat
