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Buzzing sound upon opening driver door

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by PanthersFan, Mar 29, 2016.

  1. PanthersFan

    PanthersFan Junior Member

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    Each time I open the driver door, when the car is off, I hear a buzzing coming from the front (left?) of the car. It sounds like something electrical. What is it and is it normal? Assuming it's normal, I like it because it's kind of like the Prius saying hi and it reminds me I now have a unique (and fun) car. But what is it? Am I wasting battery with something I've left configured?
     
    #1 PanthersFan, Mar 29, 2016
  2. Colin

    Colin Junior Member

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    That's the vacuum pump for the brakes. The car needs to have an electric pump so that the brake assist works when the engine is off.
     
    #2 Colin, Mar 29, 2016
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  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I don't think it's a vacuum pump, but it is a pump. ;) It's pressurizing the brake system.
     
    #3 xliderider, Mar 29, 2016
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  4. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    ABS pressurization pump.
     
    #4 Air_Boss, Mar 30, 2016
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  5. Stacey2015

    Stacey2015 New Member

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    The same noise occurs when I open my 2015 Prius car door. Is there any action I should take to fix this, or is it something I can leave be without worrying about?
     
    #5 Stacey2015, Aug 31, 2018
  6. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    Ignore. Normal. Sometimes you hear it as you walk up to the car without even touching it. Sometimes several seconds after exiting the car.
     
    #6 mikefocke, Aug 31, 2018
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  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The only time to worry would be if you don't hear it.

    That's your brake accumulator pump, building up the brake fluid pressure for you so that you will be able to slow and stop the car at times of your choosing. They think of everything, these guys.

    -Chap
     
    #7 ChapmanF, Aug 31, 2018
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  8. Stacey2015

    Stacey2015 New Member

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    Woohoo, thank you!

    Glad to hear it, thanks!
     
    #8 Stacey2015, Sep 6, 2018
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2018
  9. KngkCrls

    KngkCrls New Member

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    I also noticed that the buzzing sounds repeats itself every 30 sec or so while driving. Is it normal? Same pump?
     
    #9 KngkCrls, Sep 9, 2020
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes and no

    it has to keep repressuizing, but increased frequency means the system is slowly failing
     
    #10 bisco, Sep 9, 2020
  11. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Or you have an ABS system leak-down, whether in the pump or elsewhere.
     
    #11 Air_Boss, Sep 10, 2020
  12. KngkCrls

    KngkCrls New Member

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    Would I get a warning light because of that?
     
    #12 KngkCrls, Sep 14, 2020
  13. KngkCrls

    KngkCrls New Member

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    If there is a leak, I should see a spot where I park, no? That is not the case though. Would I get a warning light it that is the case?
     
    #13 KngkCrls, Sep 14, 2020
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it doesn't leak out. sometimes there is a warning, sometimes the brakes operate more like manual than power.
     
    #14 bisco, Sep 14, 2020
  15. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    This would not be an external leak, it would be an internal leak past seals, a loss of pressurization that requires frequent re-pumping up to operating pressure parameters.
     
    #15 Air_Boss, Sep 15, 2020
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