Rattle Electric Motor Noise behind Dashboard

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by eman08, Nov 10, 2016.

  1. eman08

    eman08 Active Member

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    New Thread continued from my old thread. Seems like my old thread died out. Small motor noise behind steering wheel dash | PriusChat


    Here is the video clip of some electric motor sound moving back and forth somewhere behind the dash board, sounds like someone rattling a door nob. Ignore the brushing sound as its just me moving my phone around. You can hear a rattling back and forth sound behind the dash board more near the shifter. What do you thing? https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9ZD2aOUG4DaVDJObWRMdzZWOG8
     
    #1 eman08, Nov 10, 2016
  2. andrewclaus

    andrewclaus Active Member

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    Does this only happen when the engine is running? It almost sounds like a gurgling noise. Have you checked your engine coolant level? And not just at the reservoir, but at the radiator cap under the black splash shield.
     
    #2 andrewclaus, Nov 10, 2016
  3. eman08

    eman08 Active Member

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    That gurgling noise is also my phone making that noise. There is no gurgling sound in person. Just a rattle noise something just moving back and forth behind the dashboard. It does it when the ICE is not running too. Engine coolant level is fine.
     
    #3 eman08, Nov 10, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2016
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    not much help, hard to be sure which noise is which.
     
    #4 bisco, Nov 11, 2016
  5. eman08

    eman08 Active Member

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    I will. Take the dash apart again over the weekend and take a look. Hopefully I can get a better recording or find what that little guy is causing that noise and it doesn't do it every day which is strange as it's like a few times in a week.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #5 eman08, Nov 11, 2016
  6. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

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    I've noticed the same, haven't found the answer. My theory is that it is the auto a/c setting and there is a baffling between how much air is being drawn through the condenser coil and how much is being drawn from outside or recirculated and from the cabin. Mine only seems to do it when it is auto cooling the outside air not when heating it. Also only after it has gotten to the set temp, usually 71 F. So I think it is a thermostat controlled servo motor that controls a damper.


    iPhone ?
     
    #6 Paul Schenck, Nov 11, 2016
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  7. eman08

    eman08 Active Member

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    Seems more likely since it not consistent as does it when ever it wants to. I double checked the engine compartment today and nothing audible in the engine compartment which rules out any pumps. Only audible inside the car behind the dash. It doesn't make the noise in Accessory mode but does in Ready mode. Any Idea where would that servo motor located at? The sound is def on the driver side of the car and not the passenger side.
     
    #7 eman08, Nov 11, 2016
  8. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

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    Interesting I'll compare mine to that


    iPhone ?
     
    #8 Paul Schenck, Nov 11, 2016
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  9. eman08

    eman08 Active Member

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    Found a video that sounds actually the same. very faint rattle sound just like mine, but in a 1st gen Prius. Will be looking for that motor over the weekend and pull it out.
     
    #9 eman08, Nov 11, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2016
  10. eman08

    eman08 Active Member

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    Same sound
     
    #10 eman08, Nov 11, 2016
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