Keyfob not locking or opening doors - sometimes

653 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by StevenA, 2 mo ago

grayone

Discussion Starter · 5 mo ago

I have a 2012 Prius C (one). I bought it about 2 1/2 yrs ago used (currently at 138K miles).

I noticed about a month ago that my keyfob didn't open my car door after work. I know it locked it that morning. I then went to the grocery store and the fob closed and opened my door fine. Next day, my fob would not lock or open my car door at work, but it works elsewhere. I asked my work if there was an alarm system active but they said no, just cameras. There is a small bank office across the parking lot. I don't know if alarms systems could be a possiblity? Or is the keyfob battery dying? It was quite cold here when this started happening.

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Easy Rider

· #2 · 5 mo ago

grayone said:
I noticed about a month ago that my keyfob didn't open my car door after work.

I'm pretty sure it's been discussed here before.
It is a pretty common problem. Your electric door lock "actuators" are failing.
It will just get worse over time.
If it is quiet and you listen closely, you probably will hear it TRY to move the lock but fail.

The really BAD news is the price Toyota will charge you to fix it.
You might want to consider just using the manual key.

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grayone

Discussion Starter · #3 · 5 mo ago

Thanks. I did do a search to see approximate costs. I found costs for parts for a driver side vs passenger and right vs left side acutator? Possibly 4 to fix? Geez.

It is unlikely that I will fix - but could this eventually affect my hatchback door?

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Easy Rider

· #4 · 5 mo ago

grayone said:
It is unlikely that I will fix - but could this eventually affect my hatchback door?

I don't know. Never thought about that.

BUT.....they usually fail one at a time and if just ONE fails to lock, the rest will UNlock because of the problem.
So I'm pretty sure that you can't even use the mechanical key to lock all the doors.

With a little close observation, you should be able to detect the one that is failing.

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Yaworski

· #5 · 5 mo ago

There's a restaurant that I frequent regularly where if I park HERE my remote doesn't work but if I park over THERE or THERE or THERE, it works fine.

Easy Rider is far more knowledgeable than I but I'd try replacing the battery in the fob.

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StevenA

· #6 · 2 mo ago

grayone said:
Thanks. I did do a search to see approximate costs. I found costs for parts for a driver side vs passenger and right vs left side acutator? Possibly 4 to fix? Geez.

It is unlikely that I will fix - but could this eventually affect my hatchback door?

Did you try changing the Key Fob Battery yet?

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