Occasional high pitch chirp when accelerating between 25-30mph *video*

Hello everyone.
Recently upgraded from an 05 Prius to a 13 Persona Prius. Loving it!
The 13 was used and it had about 17k miles. What I have noticed, and still learning all the new stuff on this gen 3, but while testing out power mode driving in town, occasionally I will get a high pitch whistle while accelerating after its reached maybe 5mph. The high pitch sound lasts only a few seconds and if I take my foot off accelerator it immediately stops. Sometimes it does it again when I tap the accelerator again but stops after just a couple of seconds and speeds are up past maybe 15mph.
Weird? Never heard anything like on my 05 ever.
Anyone else experienced this? I tried searching and found nothing similar. I would hate having to take an issue like this to a dealer because they always want you to recreate the issue and you know things never act up when you need them to.
Thank you for your help with this. Kind regards.

 

Thanks guys.
I drive mostly on regular mode and hardly on power mode. Have only had the car a week though. But have only heard it on power mode. Never ever on any other mode. And it is loud enough to be noticed unless my stereo is blasting. And it's not every time I accelerate. I've tried reproducing it and can't. When it's happened that I remember, a couple of times, I've been driving about 35, slow down to turn , and begin accelerating again after the turn and it will do it. Will try other modes or pay extra attention to see if it ever does it on another mode.

And yes it is a pretty loud high pitch noise. Not insanely loud like omg something is about to burst, but noticeable. Not your typical Prius whine from acceleration. Definitely louder and higher pitched and just for top 3-4 second ever. I have not done any recalls on it. I just got it and don't know which it's had done. Honestly I don't know much on the recalls in place right now. Will do some further reading. Can I just call a Toyota dealer with a VIN to see which recalls it needs?

Thanks so much!

 

Hello again,

A couple of updates on the issue.
I checked the vehicle records and it had the software update done in May by the previous owner. Is that the inverter recall you are referring to? Or is their a physical part that needs to be replaced if trouble begins?
Sound update: My wife drove the car today and said she heard the sound this time when backing out of the driveway on normal mode when she tapped the accelerator. I am going to have to get around trying to emulate the noise in a parking lot or something. My dads been in the hospital since Saturday so Ive been staying with him overnight.

But any other ideas or suggestions kind priuschat folks?
Thanks again!

 

Thanks guys.
The reason I suspect it's not a normal sound is that it doesn't do it consistently. I can't even duplicate it purposely. It's pretty loud almost like air coming in at a high rate through somewhere. Did you hear the noise on more than one day GrumpyCabbie?
But it is directly tied to the accelerator Cproaudio, because on one occasion I heard it, I let go of accelerator and it stopped, then tapped accelerator again and it did it for a couple more seconds. Could it be the electric motor doing the high pitch? That loud?

 

Thank you Cabbie.
I may take it in just to see if any codes are on cpu regarding the inverter. If not, at least theres a record started on the matter in case something comes up later.

 

Update:
Have definitely confirmed it does it in regular mode also. Does not need to be in Power mode. Also have realized its not so much as a high pitch noise as more of a chirp that last anywhere from 1 to 3 seconds at a time. Only does it at lower speeds (under 20mph) primarily when accelerating. It almost sounds like some kind of air valve or something. I once drove in a car that had its front windshield replaced and they had not sealed it well I guess and when it went over 60mph you would get a chirping when air would get in under the glass. It almost reminds me of that a bit. A short chirp, but definitely tied to pressing accelerator.
You guys still think its normal? Thats its electrical motor or inverter?
I drove an 05 for 2 years and 50k miles and never heard anything similar. Maybe the Gen IIIs do this normally?
Please advise.
Thanks!

 

Interesting. I have found a way to almost replicate it constantly. It seems to be at a very specific rpm when im accelerating between say 20-30 mph and the line is barely below reaching the power bar. Can almost do it every time and almost hold it there to make it chirp for a few extra seconds. But I cant make it last for more than 3-4 seconds. And just on initial acceleration. Could either of these valves be guilty of this? Thanks!

 

Ok guys
Havent had a chance to take it to the dealer. Just takes so long and I havent had the time. My dad was in the hospital for a couple days so that had me tied up too.
But I was able to record a video of the noise. What do you experts think?
You can view video here Dropbox - IMG_3784.MOV

 

No ideas Prius experts???