smart key system

35

Asked by spirithill Jul 03, 2008 at 11:48 AM about the 2004 Toyota Prius

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Several times in the last couple of weeks, my 2004 Prius has hesitated to recognize that the key is in the car (in my pocket) and won't start. After a brief time, it does recognize the key. Sometimes, it seems I need to turn the power off and restart before it finds the key. It has never done this before. Is there a small battery in the key fob that might be aging and need changing?

6 Answers

45

Yes there is a battery in the Key FOB. My 2004 Prius had the same thing just a few weeks back and I replaced the battery and it works fine.

2 people found this helpful.
35

Thank you so much for the advice. Can I buy the battery anywhere, or must I find a Toyota dealer?

3 people found this helpful.
565

It should be a standard cb type battery that can be picked up at any department or hardware store.

315

What the other gentlemen said about there being a battery in your key fob is true. It can be replaced at any Toyota dealership and possibly at a battery or watch battery store. The other possibility however is that the key fob is not in the sensor range. If you put your fob in a purse and place it in the trunk or back seat, the sensor may not sense it. I have a Prius myself and had the key in the left pocket today instead of my typical right pocket and it had a momentary lapse of finding it.

1 people found this helpful.
755

Most likely it is the battery in the fob. However, we have a 2005 Prius with the Smart Key and we experienced the same problem about three months ago. It only occurred once. I was driving with key in my left pocket and my cell phone rung - in the same pocket. I answered the phone and had a short conversation and hung up - still driving all the while on the freeway. When we stopped about 15 minutes later and got out of the car, the car would not lock using the black button on the door handle. I tried several times, but nothing happened. I then pulled the smart key out of my pocket and pushed the lock button on the fob - still nothing. We could not lock the car! I then tried to start it - nothing. I then inserted the fob into the slot and the car did start. I shut it down and then tried to lock the car. I still could not lock it up using the buttons or the remote. I then removed the real key from the fob and locked the door manually. We returned to the car a few hours later (we went to a recital for our daughters' piano class) and the car recognized the Smart Key and unlocked as we approached and put my hand near the handle. Apparently it had "reset" and all was well again. Later I read the Owner's manual and it states that the Smart Key should be kept 1 meter from other electrical devices such as cell phones, etc. I had no clue. We have not changed our usage of the Smart Key and its proximity to cell phones, etc. and haven't had a problem since. Weird!?!

8 people found this helpful.
20

hi...i totally have experienced the same thing as you guys with a 2005 Prius. i have waited a day but the remove still does not work as i approach the car and still have to put the key it to start. hope it works just fine tomorrow. because i don't think the battery is aging. since i just changed it a few months ago. is there any way to make it goes away faster. love my car ;(

2 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Prius

Looking for a Used Prius in your area?

CarGurus has 138 nationwide Prius listings starting at $3,499.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    T_S_T
    Reputation
    1,560
  • #2
    Guru5WT6J
    Reputation
    1,390
  • #3
    TupeloMS
    Reputation
    1,320
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Toyota Corolla
108 Great Deals out of 2,035 listings starting at $2,795
Used Toyota Camry
52 Great Deals out of 985 listings starting at $2,212
Used Honda Civic
180 Great Deals out of 3,705 listings starting at $1,995
Used Toyota RAV4
108 Great Deals out of 2,083 listings starting at $3,888
Used Honda Accord
40 Great Deals out of 910 listings starting at $1,599
Used Honda Civic Hybrid
914 listings starting at $6,998
Used Toyota Tacoma
55 Great Deals out of 1,071 listings starting at $8,708
Used Honda CR-V
103 Great Deals out of 3,896 listings starting at $1,795

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.