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Constant High Pitched Whining

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by LonelyAtTheTop, Oct 5, 2020.

  1. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

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    Hey everyone!

    I have a 2012 Prius C and for about a month there has been a constant super high pitched noise coming from the center console area. It’s not a normal hybrid noise, for sure. I have turned off all A/C, heat, and audio and it’s just super loud. Is it some kind of vacuum leak? Anyone else had this problem?

    If this problem has been solved before please direct me there? I did a quick search but I’m sure everyone describes things differently!

    thanks in advance!
     
    #1 LonelyAtTheTop, Oct 5, 2020
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her?

    wheel bearing maybe?
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 5, 2020
  3. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

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    Constant, whether moving or not. Whether the gas engine is running or it’s in EV.
     
    #3 LonelyAtTheTop, Oct 5, 2020
  4. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

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    Oh I misread your reply. It is a 2012 with 67k miles
     
    #4 LonelyAtTheTop, Oct 5, 2020
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Perhaps try to isolate which system is making the noise by removing fuses?
     
    #5 PriusCamper, Oct 5, 2020
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Any, umm, lights on the dash?
     
    #6 ChapmanF, Oct 5, 2020
  7. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

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    Nope. No lights on the dash. Everything seems normal except the sound.
     
    #7 LonelyAtTheTop, Oct 6, 2020
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Center console meaning under the armrest?
     
    #8 bisco, Oct 6, 2020
  9. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

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    Nope, sorry for the lack of clarity. It seems like it’s coming from behind the AC vents in the center of the dash. Initially I thought it was an AC problem, but it happens constantly, even if the AC is off. I was thinking maybe it’s a vacuum leak somewhere?
     
    #9 LonelyAtTheTop, Oct 6, 2020
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    does it have an aftermarket alarm?
     
    #10 bisco, Oct 6, 2020
  11. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

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    Nope. Completely stock. Doesn’t sound electronic at all. If it was a vacuum leak, where would I start looking?
     
    #11 LonelyAtTheTop, Oct 6, 2020
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no idea.

    when you open the hood, and listen there, does it still sound like it is inside the dash?
     
    #12 bisco, Oct 6, 2020
  13. davidc83

    davidc83 Member

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    Behind the vents, could be the blower, a bearing in the blower fan.

    Z6201V ?
     
    #13 davidc83, Oct 13, 2020
  14. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

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    Does the blower run constantly, whether the HVAC system is on or not?

    I will say that since it’s started getting colder (I’m in Michigan) the noise has gotten almost unnoticeable. I still want to get it sorted out, though...
     
    #14 LonelyAtTheTop, Oct 14, 2020
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