2010 Prius makes ticking noise

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by mbrubaker, Jul 22, 2020.

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  1. mbrubaker

    mbrubaker Junior Member

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    Our 2010 Prius level 2 has started making a very faint ticking noise when I have my foot on the brake pedal at a stop sign or stop light. Think of the 60 Minutes TV show clock ticking only very faintly. When I take my foot off the brake the noise stops, starts again if I put my foot back on the brake. Had the brake system looked at by a non-Toyota tech, who found no obvious problem. Has anyone else experienced this or have an idea of what the cause of the noise might be?
     
    #1 mbrubaker, Jul 22, 2020
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  2. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    I hear the same thing on my 2017 when slowing down to stop. Since its always done it, I'm assuming (yeah, I know) it's normal. The tick-tick-tick frequency corresponds to wheel speed and is only audible at slow speeds. Anyone know better?
     
    #2 RRxing, Jul 22, 2020
  3. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    @mbrubaker the ticking only occurs while you're stopped and the brake pedal is depressed? Maybe something to do with the brake booster or the brake pedal?

    If your ticking is while you're at (low) speed, maybe the rotor or something is hitting the dust shield (the little metal plate that sits behind the rotor)? Or maybe dirt stuck on the pads or the rotor?
     
    #3 SB6, Jul 22, 2020
  4. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    Are you up-to-date with the recalls on your car? One recall in 2010 (not all 2010s) was the brake booster pump.

    Maybe you can localize the sound better if you have someone apply the brakes while you listen under the hood, if the sound occurs while in Park; also check if you hear it while in Reverse and Neutral. You could also try to hear it with the heat on, versus off, and with the car cool, versus warmed-up, to eliminate the engine water pump as a culprit.

    How many miles are on your car?
     
    #4 pjksr02, Jul 22, 2020
  5. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Q#1 - Possible. I'll have to check it out, but not today, too damn hot...
    Q#2 - Doesn't sound like it would be this.

    Thanks for the reply...
     
    #5 RRxing, Jul 22, 2020
  6. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    I believe my car has the same "ticking" I think it sounds like a dinosaur raptor and happens exactly how you explain it.
     
    #6 AzusaPrius, Jul 22, 2020
  7. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    It's very common and no one has really determined what the cause is. Some dealers suggest replacing the axel. But after awhile it comes back. I would not worry about it.
     
    #7 orenji, Jul 23, 2020
  8. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    Since we're guessing, I'll put in my thought. I suspect a catalytic converter cooling and producing the tink-tink sound which would normally be inaudible but for the fact the ICE isn't running. I don't think it's a brake booster sound, but it's odd that it goes away upon lifting foot from brake. Did the 2010 have the hill-hold feature? That would illuminate one of the dash idiot lights when activated.
     
    #8 AzWxGuy, Jul 23, 2020
  9. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    I should add that this only occurs at slow speeds when the brake is applied.
     
    #9 RRxing, Jul 23, 2020
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  10. mbrubaker

    mbrubaker Junior Member

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    1. As near as I can tell, the ticking only occurs when the brake pedal is depressed at a full stop and wait. The sound is so faint that I don't think I could hear it over road noise if it occurred then. I have experienced no problems with braking.

    2. No error codes have shown.

    3. If this is a common problem can anyone supply links to more info about it?
     
    #10 mbrubaker, Jul 23, 2020
  11. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Yay this topic again!!! This gets posted every quarter, just like installing 86 wheels. Every turd gen has this, get it replaced w/new parts and it will return. Listen to other turd gens slow down next to you at a stopped intersection with your windows down, it doesn’t discriminate.
     
    #11 Grit, Jul 23, 2020
  12. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Uh, I have a Gen IV...
     
    #12 RRxing, Jul 23, 2020
  13. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    This is the Gen 3 forum
     
    #13 SB6, Jul 23, 2020
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  14. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    But it seems like the ticking occurs across generations, so it could be a common issue.
     
    #14 RRxing, Jul 23, 2020
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  15. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Sources please.
     
    #15 Grit, Jul 23, 2020
  16. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Rules are just a suggestion :ROFLMAO:
     
    #16 Grit, Jul 23, 2020
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  17. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    #17 SB6, Jul 23, 2020
  18. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Posts 1-14...
     
    #18 RRxing, Jul 24, 2020
  19. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    EXCITING UPDATE!!! :rolleyes:
    I rotated my tires today and now the tick-tick-tick is GONE!
    Still can't say what caused it, though... :(
     
    #19 RRxing, Aug 14, 2020
  20. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Lug nuts needing to be tightened maybe?
     
    #20 orenji, Aug 14, 2020
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