High Pitched Noise when accelerating

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Norry, Mar 8, 2025 at 6:27 AM.

  1. Norry

    Norry Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2023
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    United Kingdom
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Last year I had an issue where the whole engine was shaking in drive, the only way it would stop was if it moved to neutral or if I was accelerating very fast.
    Took it to the garage and they said it needs a new damper plate (EGR had been replaced 2 years prior).

    After getting it back I noticed that there was now a loud noise coming from somewhere when I was driving over 40mph.

    I then noticed the CEL come on and I scanned it with one of those readers from Amazon which gave a fault code to do with the fuel pump. I cleared the code to understand if it would come back, it didn't.

    At the time I couldn't afford to go back to the garage for another fix. Fast forward a year and this sound is annoying, I've realised that as soon as I go over 30mph I start to notice it.

    Any idea if it could be a fuel pump that needs replacing or could it be another issue?
     
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    25,658
    16,759
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Do you have a record of what the actual code was so you can post it here?
     
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    11,161
    1,950
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    You can barely tell a fuel pump's running when it's running well or poorly. Usually the design of these things is it just doesn't do anything You don't even hear the hum from the fuel tank door anymore if you listen to it or any of that
     
  4. Norry

    Norry Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2023
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    United Kingdom
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Unfortunately I don't. I normally take a photo to keep a record but I assumed that if it was an issue it would appear again.
    However the light has not come back since.
     
  5. Norry

    Norry Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2023
    4
    0
    0
    Location:
    United Kingdom
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I just find my car to be much much louder. Normally on the motorway all I could hear was the slight humming of the engine, now it's like a sound getting heavier as i accelerate.

    The closest noise I've found is on YouTube under:
    " My car makes a humming/mower noise when accelerating" by someone called @eliseolifts

    The cars done over 300k but i don't want to let it go if I can fix it.
     
  6. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2016
    1,146
    1,326
    12
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Best thing to do is get the car in Maintenance mode and then use a stethoscope to find the noise.

    A long piece of vinyl tubing can be used as a substitute. Just stick one end in your ear and try not to get it stuck in any pulleys.

    SM-A536V ?
     
    #6 mjoo, Mar 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2025 at 5:38 PM
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    57,954
    39,983
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    What’s the miles? Is it using coolant?