Different noise while driving is something wrong?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by ReallyLily, Jan 19, 2006.

  1. ReallyLily

    ReallyLily New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2005
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Down by the beach, CA
    I have an 05 Prius, 10 months old, 4200 miles.

    I did a few errands today, and for the last one, I ran into the post office for 3-4 minutes. When I got back in the car to head home, I was driving along, about 30-40 mph, and I heard this humming sound. It sounded kind of like the sounds the car makes after you put it in park and shut it off (is that the coolant being pumped into the warm container?). It was a mechanical hum. I had a CD playing, and it continued to play, so I don't think it was anything in the audio system. I did not have any indicator lights come on, and after the first minute or two, I didn't hear the sound again.

    I've never heard that sound when I was actually driving, so I wasn't sure if something was wrong, or maybe I'm just flipping out. Does this ring a bell with anyone? I called Toyota, and they said that they could look at it next week, but that they couldn't really say what they thought it was. They said not to worry too much unless the indicator lights came on.

    I heard the sound while accelerating.
     
    #1 ReallyLily, Jan 19, 2006
  2. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,664
    1,042
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Pretty much what they said. That sort of sound is not surprising, and unless it happens while they have the car or unless some indicator lights turn on, it's hard to say what it is.
     
    #2 richard schumacher, Jan 19, 2006
  3. Betelgeuse

    Betelgeuse Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2005
    1,460
    24
    1
    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Could it have been the brake pump? I know that that worried me for a while. But, on the other hand, if you've had your car for 10 months, I suspect you know what this sounds like.
     
    #3 Betelgeuse, Jan 19, 2006
  4. ReallyLily

    ReallyLily New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2005
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Down by the beach, CA
    You know, I don't know if I've ever noticed what the brake pump sounds like. This was a sound that I have never heard while the car was moving...
     
    #4 ReallyLily, Jan 19, 2006
  5. Betelgeuse

    Betelgeuse Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2005
    1,460
    24
    1
    Location:
    New York, NY, USA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It unnerved me quite a bit, until I saw a discussion on this board discussing it, and saying it was completely normal.

    Now, I'm pretty bad at reproducing noises even when I have the use of my voice, so I'm going be even worse while typing, but what it sounds like to me is a "rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat", but really fast. Sort of like a high frequency clicking. You may have heard it and never noticed it before. You can pobably make your car make the noise by starting the car and, while in Park, take your foot of the brake and then put it down on the brake again. You may have to do that twice, but you should hear it.

    On the other hand, if you've been driving the car for 10 months and are just hearing this noise NOW, that's probably not it.
     
    #5 Betelgeuse, Jan 20, 2006
  6. ReallyLily

    ReallyLily New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2005
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Down by the beach, CA
    Well, I never did find out what the mystery noise was, because it never happened again. My current theory is that maybe a twig or something got caught up in the fan - I did have the heater on. Who knows :rolleyes: I'm just glad it didn't happen again!

    Betelgeuse, thanks for answering my post :)
     
    #6 ReallyLily, Jan 30, 2006
  7. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2004
    3,650
    6
    0
    Location:
    Olympia Wa
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    More likely the front disk brakes. Getting something up in the fan would be a good trick possible but not likely.
     
    #7 hdrygas, Jan 31, 2006
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)