2012 Prius III hums at slow roll

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by BrianG, Mar 25, 2012.

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  1. BrianG

    BrianG Junior Member

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    I just replaced a 2005 with a 2012. The 2005 was dead quite during slow movement and parking while the 2012 hums. At first I thought the hum was a rubbing noise but on closer listen it sounds like a metallic harmonic vibration. It reminds me of the sound of rubbed crystal glass except lower in tone with metallic undertones. It is audible from outside the car or when the windows are down. It does not appear to be associated with movement as it comes and goes during the three point manuever required to park under the carport. Is this is normal or I am heading back to the dealer?
     
    #1 BrianG, Mar 25, 2012
  2. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    inverter noise, normal IMHO.
     
    #2 Former Member 68813, Mar 25, 2012
  3. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    How many miles?
     
    #3 spiderman, Mar 25, 2012
  4. RichardAK

    RichardAK Member

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    What is that pedestrian warning tone called? I think that is what it sounds like.
     
    #4 RichardAK, Mar 25, 2012
  5. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    It hums because it doesn't know the words!
     
    #5 lenjack, Mar 25, 2012
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  6. skm009

    skm009 Member

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    It's the noise maker(Vehicle Proximity Notification System). All 2012 HBs come with it.
     
    #6 skm009, Mar 25, 2012
  7. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Yeah, my first guess would be it's probably the VPNS. Check out the video on this very site, does it sound at all like that?

    Most people report the sound is far less audible than in the demonstration video.
     
    #7 The Electric Me, Mar 25, 2012
  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Yup. It's the VPNS

     
    #8 F8L, Mar 25, 2012
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  9. BrianG

    BrianG Junior Member

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    Yup, it's the VPNS. The video beats a thousand words. Thanks all!
     
    #9 BrianG, Mar 25, 2012
  10. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    How do I kill that sound thing? I want my car to be stone quiet so I can sneak up on people in parking ramps :pound:

    Mike
     
    #10 WE0H, Mar 25, 2012
  11. Econ

    Econ Member

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    Me TOO!!
     
    #11 Econ, Mar 28, 2012
  12. Habiru

    Habiru Junior Member

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    That damn noisemaker!! There are posts out there of people saying oh it's not bad or your can't notice it. I hope people that are on the fence about a 2012 (especially us that had a previous year) read this so they know that yes this is indead an annoying noise that is loud enough to hear.
     
    #12 Habiru, Apr 1, 2012
  13. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    I promise you I will find the noise maker once I get my paws on my car and a little time to look around for it ;) It will be an easy mod to quiet it down or eliminate it.

    Mike
     
    #13 WE0H, Apr 1, 2012
  14. PhysicsGuy

    PhysicsGuy Junior Member

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    31 seconds into this video shows you exactly where it is...

     
    #14 PhysicsGuy, Apr 1, 2012
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  15. movingforward

    movingforward Member

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    Glad I picked up a 2011 now...love the 2012's new more aggressive front fascia but don't like that whining buzzing noise.

    There's an option to turn it off for North American model...no?
     
    #15 movingforward, Apr 1, 2012
  16. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Looks like you could creep ahead a tiny bit at a crosswalk to get the noise to turn on :p 55db isn't loud. It'll be easy to add the on/off switch like in the video or just take the speaker out. Might have to solder a resistor across the wires so the computer is seeing a load just in case the software is written to click off a code if the speaker circuit is sensed as an open. Still a piece of cake :) Where's that EASY button? That was Easy :D

    Mike
     
    #16 WE0H, Apr 1, 2012
  17. iDRiVaPrius

    iDRiVaPrius Junior Member

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    I would hear this at the drive thru's, thought it was just the noise the car made when running in electric mode. This is my First Hybrid. Wasn't until I Google searched what the VPNS is supposed to sound like did I realize that's what I was hearing already.
     
    #17 iDRiVaPrius, Apr 2, 2012
  18. kalome

    kalome Member

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    I agree. I hate it too. At first when I drove off the lot, I had my windows up and I thought...oh it's not that bad. Then I started hearing it with the windows down at drive thru's and coasting through residential.
    It is such a corny sound, that bugs me. I got to try to find a way to disable it.
     
    #18 kalome, Apr 3, 2012
  19. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    The speaker is supposed to be on the drivers side behind the daytime running light. It very likely will have a connector on it. Unplug it :) I will know for sure whats in there once I get my car in my hands. Until then I hope someone crawls under their car and figures this out.

    Mike
     
    #19 WE0H, Apr 3, 2012
  20. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    #20 32kcolors, Apr 3, 2012
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