My Prius is an '06, package #7 with about 20,000 miles. I am familiar with the sounds coming from the coolant going into the thermos. Recently, I started hearing a second sound which to come from the driver's side. It sounds like a "rachet" or something sticking and releasing. The dealer says everything is normal but experience has told me to question everything. Does anyone have a similar experience? It would be nice to go back to the dealer with some things for them to check. The car seems fine otherwise.
Not exactly sure that my car is making the exact same noise, but I just got my 07 a few weeks ago and it makes a bunch of strange noises after shutting down. Assuming there all normal with the complex electrical system.
Are you sure it's not the clicks associated with the relays to the HV battery? sometimes those can seem to be coming from different places, and i swear they go louder when it got colder here...
I'm not sure what it all means, but my '06 makes these sounds: --the 'wrrrrrrrr' of the coolant being transferred to the thermos (lasts 5-10 sec) --the ratcheting sound (lasts 2-5 sec) which I think is the HV relays(?) --this hissing sound that crescendos (and lasts 1-2 sec) which I think has something to do with the brakes(?) There's also this scritchy-scratchy sound--which would be me, scratching my head in confusion!
Mine is also a 06 Prius with package #7. After one year, the sounds coming from the coolant going into the thermos getting louder and louder this winter. Is it still normal?
The 2-5 second ratcheting is the brake pump. The HV relays are much more subtle - just a quick sequence of 2-3 clicks from the back when you start up and shut down. Hard to hear unless you've got the rear seat folded down.
what I notice is a "rattlesnake hissing" sound that sounds like it comes from in front of the drivers side under the hood... it usually happens when I am braking/decelerating or accellerating after sitting idle for a while... I figure it has something to do with the HSD...?
Thanks for the good information. Though I was always aware of the coolant noise on shut down, I was not aware of the HV relay noise. For me, that must be it as it does occur both at "turn-on" and "shut-down". I also was not aware of the brake system noise from the pump.
I've noticed my coolant pump making a bit more noise during the shurdown, as the warm coolant passes over the cold bearings. Definitely a bearing starting to drag. The purring/buzzing is the brake pump repressurizing. You'll notice it soemtimes when pressing the brakes or maybe a minute after shutdown. It's very quiet.
I just began noticing new sounds (clicks? clacks?) during the ~15 second-long sound that's normal during shutdown. The dealership "couldn't find anything wrong", although I'm not sure they ever heard it in the noisy shop. I could provide an mp3 of it if anyone is interested or could help clarify what it is...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bgdrewsif @ Jan 24 2007, 07:43 PM) [snapback]380378[/snapback]</div> I hear a series of scary clicking and clacking noises after starting the car but before the engine kicks in or just after I shut it down. I also think it's coming from the front driver's side. I might ask the dealer about it but chances they will not hear it or just say it's normal. I'm in the extended warranty (thanks Troy) period so I'm not going to sweat it.
