I'm taking the Prius in for an oil change and to see if the recall affects my model. I also want them to check out a noise that we get under the hood every once and a while. It normally happens at stops or only when then gas engine is off. It kind of sounds like something is turning on and off. I want to think its a pump or something, but I'm not that knowledgable when it comes to engines. Has anyone else heard of or had a problem like this? If you need more info, please ask. Although I don't really know how much more I can add. Thanks Mike
is it a brief humming/whirring kind of noise? there's a brake accumulator pump that maintains pressure in the braking system that has to run a bit after enough use of the brake. it happens occasionally, but not all the time.
no. its not a whirring at all...just a noise that goes on off on off on off on off. I can't think of a way to describe the sound, but hmmmm think of the sound a wet finger makes against a clean plate. Something like that but a little different.
how long do each of the on and off periods go? do they vary? how long does this last? how many miles on the car? any idea where under the hood it's coming from?
maybe the clean dish sound isn't the right one. Its not a squeking sound, well, maybe a very fast on off on off squeek . I might have to just have one of the service techs ride with me and hope the sound happens. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Sep 14 2006, 06:21 PM) [snapback]319782[/snapback]</div> The miles are low. 10,000. The noise doesn't last too long...maybe 5-20 seconds or until engage the gas engine. I want to guess that it comes from the right side of the engine compartment, and the interval between on off on off sound is maybe 1/2 second.
the right side when peeking under the hood, or the right side from the perspective of sitting in the car? so this doesn't happen every time the gas engine starts up then, right?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Sep 14 2006, 06:52 PM) [snapback]319798[/snapback]</div> Yes, sorry, the right side when looking under the hood. This only happens when the gas engine is off. Like at a light or slowly going through the parking lot. And it doesn't happen every time.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(OCPrius28 @ Sep 14 2006, 07:55 PM) [snapback]319803[/snapback]</div> Is your cat missing?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jburns @ Sep 17 2006, 08:00 PM) [snapback]320952[/snapback]</div> No. but the nieghbor's cat can't be found LOL. Anyways, went to the dealer and they have no idea. They say it might be the coolant pump for the inverter. I have noticed though that if I have the windows down I can't hear the noise much. But with the windows up, I hear it. I think its coming from eiter under the dash or near the firewall on the drivers side. Ok, got another idea on the sound. Remember those old cast iron water pumps outside the house? you had to pump the handle up and down to get water. Think of that sound but very fast and a little lower pitch.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(OCPrius28 @ Sep 18 2006, 11:53 AM) [snapback]321183[/snapback]</div> OC, it's been awhile since this message was posted. Have you got any answer back from dealer? I heard something similar to what you've described from my car(location is around driver side, behind dash). So I was searching the posts for anyone who have similar problem and found yours. If you had anything replaced/fixed, could you please let me know what it is? my warranty is running out and want to tell technicians what to look for. the noise doesn't come on all the time. I can hear more if I have AC on and stop at a traffic light. thanks...
