Rattle in right rear roof area

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Tideland Prius, Apr 9, 2013.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Vehicle: 2010 Prius with Solar Roof.

    Issue: There's a buzz coming from the ceiling approximately over the rear right seating area.

    Solution: TBD.



    I have a buzz that resonates from the above mentioned area. It doesn't occur all the time and appears to be affected by frequencies (e.g. certain engine rpms will set off the buzzer or certain thumps of the bass may trigger the buzz). I don't believe it occurs with the collision of a pothole or similar hard object the road. I've pushed up against the headliner and sometimes that does resolve the issue but sometimes it returns.

    Anyone have any idea what's located there that may be causing the buzzer sound? I've looked at the wiring diagram and it looks like the moonroof motor is located in the centre of the rear ceiling and the curtain airbag sensor and wires run along the side of the roof but there's nothing mentioned in between the two.
     
    #1 Tideland Prius, Apr 9, 2013
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    No possible solutions?
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Apr 23, 2013
  3. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    I can't speak to the sunroof issue as there's no way to know if your buzz is electrical in nature or if it's a loose structural roof member. I had the latter (no sunroof) and determined it to be defective spot welds on the cross-member. It was tough one to find too as the sound seemed to be coming from the assist handles on the driver's side. Actually, the defective welds were more mid-way under the headliner.
    The problem is that the construction of the regular roof and its structural cross-members is very different than a Prius equipped with the sunroof.
     
    #3 phoenixgreg, Apr 23, 2013
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  4. zhutton

    zhutton Junior Member

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    Big hammer?
     
    #4 zhutton, Apr 23, 2013
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    ^ lol

    So no way to know unless I have the dealer look at it?
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Apr 23, 2013
  6. The Dude

    The Dude Member

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    welcome to the Prius experience. enjoy.
     
    #6 The Dude, Apr 24, 2013
  7. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    If you can find the fuse under the dash that controls the sunroof, pull it out temporarily and see if the buzz recurs. If not, then the buzz would be electrical and possibly related to the retraction motor in the roof. If the buzz persists, then it's most likely a structural issue with the roof framing and cross-members around the sunroof opening. I assume you have ruled out the sunroof itself (i.e. glass and its framing)?
     
    #7 phoenixgreg, Apr 24, 2013
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  8. Blu-ray

    Blu-ray Blizzard Brigade #215

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    Fan Belt?

    [​IMG]
     
    #8 Blu-ray, Apr 24, 2013
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Alright I can do that.

    No, the sunroof's creaks and shudders are completely different matter (it shudders when opened and I hit anything larger than a expansion joint or anything rougher than slightly worn pavement. It sounds like the glass is rattling).

    In the back seat?
     
    #9 Tideland Prius, Apr 24, 2013
  10. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    You can't be serious, right? Hopefully you realize your Prius and the OP's has no drive/fan belts.
     
    #10 cwerdna, Apr 24, 2013
  11. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Last Fall, I got a noise in the right rear roof section of the car. I put some lubricant on the hatch hinges and the pivot points of the hatch struts and the noise went away. It just started up again, so when I get a chance, I'm going to lube the same points up again and see what happens.
     
    #11 El Dobro, Apr 24, 2013
  12. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    He's just kidding. Didn't you see the smirk on his face?
     
    #12 El Dobro, Apr 24, 2013
  13. Blu-ray

    Blu-ray Blizzard Brigade #215

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    O M G! Have neither of you seen Cannonball Run II?

    :eek:
     
    #13 Blu-ray, Apr 25, 2013
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