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Weird "EARRP!" noise when stopped

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by carbon6, Oct 26, 2009.

  1. carbon6

    carbon6 Junior Member

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    All,

    I have a 2009 with 20,000 miles on it. Last week it started to make a weird noise when I'm stopped at a traffic light. I get a loud, low sounding "EARRP" noise. It can happen several times while waiting for the light to change, and the car seems to be warmed up to do this. I searched the forums, and find that the brake actuator can cause "chirping." My sound is much lower in frequency. Or, is this the cause?

    Any ideas?

    Thanks,

    Mike
     
    #1 carbon6, Oct 26, 2009
  2. tom1l21

    tom1l21 Member

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    It is the actuator, take it into your service department and they will fix it for free. There is a TSB (technical service bulletin) out there somewhere detailing this. It is covered by 3yrs/36k mi I believe. It won't do any damage, but is quite annoying as mine has this issue and is past the warranty date.
     
    #2 tom1l21, Oct 26, 2009
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Do you have a sick cat in the back?

    Tom
     
    #3 qbee42, Oct 26, 2009
  4. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    Don't drink carbonated beverages...
     
    #4 firepa63, Oct 26, 2009
  5. carbon6

    carbon6 Junior Member

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    Thanks for the insight. The noise is coming from the front of the car, so it is probably the brake actuator, and not the cat. :)

    Mike
     
    #5 carbon6, Oct 26, 2009
  6. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Cat noises from the front of a car usually consist of one quick screech when starting.

    Tom
     
    #6 qbee42, Oct 27, 2009
  7. acacia987

    acacia987 Junior Member

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    last time i checked the TSB only goes up to 2007. do yourself a favor and get the tech to come out so you can reproduce the noise first. My 08 does it and its very annoying. dealer said it was my brake pads slipping, which is impossible if the car is not moving and i am just sitting there with my foot on the brake. what is the problem with all these actuators?
     
    #7 acacia987, Oct 27, 2009
  8. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Does the brake actuator problem develop only after tens of thousands of miles? Any preemptive measure to prevent it?
     
    #8 2009Prius, Oct 27, 2009
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