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Yesterday, I tried using my electronic key to open my Prius … as I usually do. However, the door wouldn’t open. I thought maybe the battery was dying on my key fob, so I tried my husband’s key and his didn’t work either. Couldn’t get the doors open with either electronic key. My Prius tends to lose its charge and need a jump start if I don’t drive it for a few weeks (like when we come back after a long vacation). So my husband jumped to the conclusion that it needed a jump start. I told him that I didn’t think that was true because I have been driving my car normally. Ok, I didn’t drive it over the weekend, but that’s pretty much normal.
So, I tried opening the door with the physical key that is embedded inside the key fob. And I couldn’t get the door open with that key either. It turned in the lock but the door didn’t open. There’s is only one physical lock on the car and that is (obviously) the one I tried. I have used the physical key in the past and had no problems then, so …
My husband is still insisting that we need to call for a jump start, but I am thinking that it is a door issue. But does that happen? Could the doors fail like that somehow?
Ideas?
Actually, what I am a little concerned about it that my husband wants to jump start the car himself using our other Prius (and in fact just went out to buy jumper cables). But I have read that jump starting Prii is not as straightforward as jump starting other cars, although I am not sure how it is different. Also, my husband and I must rank among the least talented DYieds on the planet. Not handy AT ALL.
So, I don’t want him to attempt to jump start it (and potentially screw up) particularly if that is not the actual problem.
If you need to jump the Prius, that's no issue. Either pop the hood and find the fuse box. There's a positive terminal there for jump starting. Or you can just tear the trunk apart and jump on the 12v in the trunk.
Jumping FROM a Prius is awkward. It's better to just charge the dead battery by hooking it up and letting it sit for a while and then disconnect and hopefully that's charged the battery enough to start the other car. The Prius 12v is only a 100 amp system which a starter motor will generally draw more than that. In the case of jumping starting another Prius it's not really a big deal though as you're not actually jump starting it. You're just getting the computers to turn on and then the traction battery actually starts the gas engine.
Of course, you'll still have to call a tow truck to get the doors unlocked. No idea what that's about, either user error, stripped key, damaged lock. That's an entirely mechanical system though so nothing to do with the battery which is definitely dead if both key fobs aren't working.
If you need to jump the Prius, that's no issue. Either pop the hood and find the fuse box. There's a positive terminal there for jump starting. Or you can just tear the trunk apart and jump on the 12v in the trunk.
Jumping FROM a Prius is awkward. It's better to just charge the dead battery by hooking it up and letting it sit for a while and then disconnect and hopefully that's charged the battery enough to start the other car. The Prius 12v is only a 100 amp system which a starter motor will generally draw more than that. In the case of jumping starting another Prius it's not really a big deal though as you're not actually jump starting it. You're just getting the computers to turn on and then the traction battery actually starts the gas engine.
Of course, you'll still have to call a tow truck to get the doors unlocked. No idea what that's about, either user error, stripped key, damaged lock. That's an entirely mechanical system though so nothing to do with the battery which is definitely dead if both key fobs aren't working.
Yes, the problem was jumping from one Prius to another. We just called a tow. He jump started it and I drove it back to the dealership. Only $75. It turns out it needs a new battery. So, $$$$. Started a new thread on this …
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