Hit a deer- strange noises- what to check

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by C Clay, Dec 28, 2024.

  1. C Clay

    C Clay Member

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    I hit a dead dear carcass. Couldn’t have been avoided IMO, driving 55 on a highway in the dark, had my headlights dimmed because a state vehicle was on the side of the road likely to pick up the pick up the deer (well, could possibly have been avoided if the Prius had better headlights!). It was a 2 lane highway, but at the point where the truck was, there was a passing lane- so I went in the left lane to give the truck some space- and then bam- about an 8-10” deer carcass in height.

    I veered to the right as fast as I could, but still as best I can remember, made a solid impact. Looks like my left wheel well plastics got ripped out, but surprisingly the other under carriage plastics remain.

    Car didn’t loose any fluids, but one sound it does make- when you let off the gas when driving, you hear a knock in the right front. What are some things to look for when I jack it up? I just want to make sure it remains drivable without being stranded. She’s pretty tough- 325k on my 2014. We’ve been through a lot together lol
     
    #1 C Clay, Dec 28, 2024
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2024
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Just buy a set of aftermarket fender liners online for $30 and I bet you either find the source of the noise while replacing the one that's gone or the noise will go away once that part of the car is covered again.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Dec 28, 2024
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Probably a piece of plastic hitting the tire as the wheel turns.
     
    #3 rjparker, Dec 28, 2024
  4. C Clay

    C Clay Member

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    I think this is what I’m hearing- this noise appears to be in the transmission, and while I’ve never been under the car and done this- it doesn’t sound normal. Anybody got any thoughts on this? Make sure your audio is on (bottom right corner)
     
    #4 C Clay, Dec 28, 2024
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    If it still drives it is unlikely to be the transaxle. Maybe a cv joint on this third party video but it's hard to believe a small deer would cause that kind of failure in your car.

    Best thing is to quit guessing and have someone get it on a lift.
     
    #5 rjparker, Dec 28, 2024
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  6. C Clay

    C Clay Member

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    If take the under cover assembly off. Is it safe to with this off for a few days? IMG_0594.jpg
     
    #6 C Clay, Dec 28, 2024
  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    People do it but it does protect some wiring and hoses.
     
    #7 rjparker, Dec 28, 2024
  8. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    My 2016 Prius was totaled by a "small kamikaze deer" in 2020 when we were going 65 MPH on I84. The front of a Prius has many expensive sensors and as each ECU/s software notices a failed sensor that system shuts down. We were half way to Boston when the incident happened. Our Prius actually got us back home, but never worked again. The insurance adjuster wanted to fix it until the dealer told him how expensive the repair would be.

    JeffD
     
    #8 jdenenberg, Dec 28, 2024
  9. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yeah that's fine... Many people lose that panel and never replace it without issue. As for the noise you've found, I suspect that's not damage, it's just old and noisy and without the fender cover the noise is louder than normal from inside the car.
     
    #9 PriusCamper, Dec 28, 2024
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