1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Odd buzzing noise near inverter/fusebox

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by aiicium, Oct 2, 2024.

  1. aiicium

    aiicium Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2021
    9
    2
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    2005 Prius almost 296k miles and about last week I started hearing this buzzing noise. It's not the AC system like compressor since my condenser is destroyed and coolant leaked almost 3 years ago, haven't fixed it and blower motor was not even on. Definitely not the engine either. Noise seems to be coming behind or around fuse box. Inverter pump died around 275k miles but replaced it no problem. I was thinking this could be the culprit, but when my pump blew, I smelt burning plastic for 2 seconds and then the car shut off. However, this noise is starting to bother me. It sounds like an ambient fridge in the cabin but it's louder when approaching the engine bay.

    It's not the brake actuator, doesn't seem like any fuses are blown (which wouldn't make this noise anyways, never did before), and hybrid battery is fine. 12v is relatively new, replaced a few months ago. Have not noticed any drop in MPG, still getting around 40-45, with no problems accelerating. I hear this sound in both ready/aux or accessory mode while car is idle or while driving. I cannot find any information online about this so figured asking here. I should also add, the inverter "electronic humming" is still there, so this seems like it is a separate sound.


     
  2. aiicium

    aiicium Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2021
    9
    2
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Small update: upon further inspection, I think it's coming from the inverter pump. I touched the insulated tube and it's vibrating, maybe a bit harder than usual? Would this mean that the pump is failing possibly? Coolant level overflow seems fine and within levels, didn't need to open cap for turbulence since I can see liquid moving through the container.
     
  3. fragglestickcar

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2018
    77
    41
    0
    Location:
    New York
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    How did you rule out brake system?
     
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    24,902
    16,209
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    If it's the brake pump running continuously like that, after 5 minutes there'd have to be warning lights and a C1252 code.

    If you think it might be the inverter cooling pump, why not try unplugging that pump and see if the noise stops?

    [​IMG]
     
  5. aiicium

    aiicium Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2021
    9
    2
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Yup it was the pump as I suspected. I bought a replacement one with and I'll keep it with my extra fuses in my car until this one goes bad. Since its OEM I figured no point replacing it until it goes bust. Last time was a quick fix so I assume on the road wouldn't take to long either. Still wondering about the noise though, it seems mounted and sturdy but oh well.
     
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    24,902
    16,209
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    "Mounted and sturdy" could be a clue. The factory pump bracket has rubber grommets in the mounting holes, and the holes through the rubber have metal bushings so that the mounting bolts, when tightened, only tighten down on the bushings. They don't become tight on the rubber, and that allows the pump to have its normal vibrations without a lot of noise conducted into the car body.

    I got a gen 2 from a salvage rebuilder once where the pump had been reinstalled without those grommets doing their noise-insulating job. In that particular car, it wasn't the inverter cooling pump, it was the heater circulating pump that cycles when the engine is off if you're using cabin heat.

    I've never taken the time to look for exactly what got assembled funny: whether the bushings were left out, or the bracket or mounting area got deformed in the collision so the grommets don't prevent direct contact, or what. But in that car, boy, when the engine is off and that heating pump cycles, in the cabin it's like sound effects from Das Boot.