Frequent brake actuator noise after service appointment?

All,

I know this is really old thread but I think I am experiencing the similar issue.

I have 2010 prius about 138,000 miles. The brake actuator (Whirring noise) coming up too often I think, about every 1 minute or less even 30 seconds interval at times. I do not recall it is coming up this often in the past. The only change I did to the car is install a new battery. The new battery is OPTIMA yellow top for Prius. The old battery was still good but I somehow ordered new one on impulse buying and installed the battery myself. The new battery did seem to improve mileage by 2mpg.

The actuator issue "I THINK" started after the new battery install. The whirring noise is coming up too often.

Do I have to be concerned with this frequent actuator coming up? does indicate any upcoming major problems with actuator?


Thanks all.

 

No idea, but maybe your brakes need to be bled? Maybe (just a guess) it's air in a brake line?

 

The poor Original Poster didn't get any response, till now.

@boochi101 In the process of swapping the battery, did you use a "memory saver" device, something to provide power during the swap? Or just removed the old battery? There's nothing wrong with the latter approach, but it tends to "reset" things. Maybe there's an unforeseen consequence of this, it's somehow changing the brake actuator behavior??

 

Call the dealership right away and tell them that the car is not operating correctly since they worked on it. Their repairs have warranties, so notify them asap and schedule another appointment. It should be free.

 

Mendel,

I have changed the battery AFTER removing old battery and did not supply a spare 12V before removing the battery thinking that if I connect the spare 12V incorrectly I may have unknown issues. I know that the removing the battery does reset the settings but did not expect the brake actuator to behave erratic.

I did had the brake fluid flush done this weekend at the dealer and I explained the problem to dealer service person. He said they did not see any error codes when they hooked to computer and does not believe the brake fluid flush will fix the problem, if it is really a problem with actuator at all. I have been monitoring last 2 days but I think the actuator still coming up frequently. I did notice that the brakes are A BIT more responsive now but not much. Brakes seems to harder to press before. The car has 6 years/140K miles and this is the first time brake fluid flush is done.

I do not hear any hissing noise after the actuator is done, like some posts mensioned, indicating a possible leak. Replacing the actuator seems to cost upwards of $2000.

Shall I ask dealer to flash software for brake actuator again? Disconnect negative and reconnect again?

Other than this problem, car runs fine.

Thanks!

 

I tend to hear the actuator every other time I press the brake

 

The 12 volt disconnect was just grasping at straws. I would leave it alone.

I mainly hear the actuator just when opening driver's door. It's weird, now that you mention it, I can recall hearing it periodically during driving, just very sporadically though. But I can't recall hearing the latter in case in a long time. I wonder since the recall was done?? do not know. I would just sit on it for a while. At least you've drawn it to their attention, there's something on record.

 

The actuator in my 2012 Prius v Three is activated about every 10 to 15 seconds for about 2 to 3 seconds regardless of whether I press the brakes or not.

I took the car to the Toyota dealer this week to have it checked. They said that the computer is not reporting any code, but they are recommending replacing the Master Cylinder Assembly (47050-47110) for a total cost of $2,800, including tax.

I don't remember their exact wording, but I think that they implied that this might not be the end of it. If the issue continued they might have to do other fixes. I don't like the idea of improvising at that cost. And I find strange that they are not recommending to replace the Actuator Assy (47070-12020) instead.

I don't know a Prius technician in the local area (San Juan, Puerto Rico) outside of the dealer. Looks like my only alternative is trying another dealer. However, I have no hope about any of them having a technician capable of troubleshooting without computer codes.

Does replacing the Master Cylinder sounds reasonable for this behavior? Does is fail as frequently as the Actuator?

 

are the brakes operating properly?

 

Yeap. Nothing wrong with the operation.

XT1095 ?

 

might be worth a call to toyota and explain the situation.

 

It's outside of warranty? That's not good. There's a term lawyers use, something about "reasonable expectation", as in: you buy a new car, with the reasonable expectation that it's not going to have serious problems, and tear the bottom out of your pocket book within 3~4 years.

 

Mendel - Yes. It is out of warranty. This month I'm making my last payment (60th).

Bisco - Yes, I'll call Toyota and ask who should bear the risk in the case of a wrong part repaired. I mean, if the risk is on my side, then what is the benefit of using a Toyota certified technician?


XT1095 ?

 

I used to get gobsmacked over out-of-the-blue $500 repairs, not so long ago. How the auto industry progresses: they seem to be immune, no one can call them on these parts and labour costs. Friends in high places.

 

So I’m having very frequent actuator noise, which starts with the hissing/vacuum/ pump sealing sound, then a some creaking as I release the brake. … I should add I’ve got (!) 65 code, which is hydrolic pressure malfunction I think. When I reset the abs/brake/(!) light, it stays off for days and only activates when my gf is driving the car. It also throws a p0420 but I’m not even gonna fight that battle again…. I should add that the car drives somehow differently when I reset the lights (the mfd also shows battery discharge when I’m stopped, until I reset the light or put it in park, dr. Prius shows the difference between park and drive as a negligible 1 amp at most)…she also has 500,000 milked on the odo of which 300,000 are probably real. When I got the car it had no brakes and an exploded battery and the accumulator had to be replaced. I drove it across the country with these lights on and the brakes work but feel a little “off” somehow…please someone tell me I just need the brakes bled

 

What year is the car? Your profile says 2005 but this is the Gen 3 (2010-2015) forum.

 

This is a really old thread Heads up. You may not get a lot of people visiting it. My opinion it sounds like it may be thebrake actuator again. If you don’t get anybody answering on this thread you may want to re-post it and see what others say.

 

Oops

 

If I have my terminology correct the actuator and accumulator are two different but equally expensive parts, right? I’ve replaced the accumulator already, probably can’t afford a new actuator.

thanks for the help