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Shutdown Sounds Louder

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by baumgrenze, Mar 21, 2007.

  1. baumgrenze

    baumgrenze Junior Member

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    I posted this late on 3/7/07 on alt.autos.toyota.prius, but it does not seem to be at all an active group. I've seen no additions to the thread.

    I drive a 2004 Prius. I just had 25,000 miles service done on it today.

    I would like to know if others have experienced the phenomenon I describe below.

    Since December or January, if the ambient temperature is below 40 degrees F, and if I drive just a few miles, when I shut down the car the normally almost inaudible shutdown noises are now much louder. The louder sound is very much like a hen house after one of the hens has laid an egg. It lasts the normal ~30 seconds.

    I am concerned that trouble may be developing. I'd like to nip it in the bud.

    The service department at my dealership on the San Francisco Peninsula had not heard any similar complaints. It was too warm this morning to elicit the sound for them to hear.

    I have a clip of the sound on my cell phone, just in case it might be possible to attach an mp3 file. I confess I've no idea how to move the sound file from my cell phone to my computer.

    baumgrenze
     
    #1 baumgrenze, Mar 21, 2007
  2. Dion

    Dion New Member

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    You are not alone. My coolant pump makes a loud screeching sound when it is cold outside. I have not taken it to the dealer because it has to be below freezing and the car has to be cold. I know this must happen to other Prius owners.
     
    #2 Dion, Mar 22, 2007
  3. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    if it only does it when it's cold that seems to be the norm. if it keeps on after it warms up, then it's time to visit the dealer.
     
    #3 galaxee, Mar 22, 2007
  4. brucem5755

    brucem5755 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 22 2007, 12:45 PM) [snapback]410246[/snapback]</div>

    With over 10,000 miles on my Prius, there is nothing on it that is loud let alone screeching at any outside temperature from cold to hot. Respectfully speaking, loud screeching noises should not be considered 'the norm' for any car.

    Perhaps Toyota sees it differently. The pumps do still perform their function even though they are loud according to other threads on PC... Me, I would get them to replace it, I didn't pay that much money for a car that screeches at me.
     
    #4 brucem5755, Mar 22, 2007
  5. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    When my 04 and now my 05 Prius went over something like 35kmi. the coolant pump that fills the thermos after shut down gets very loud at cold temps. Since they both did it I wasn't too concerned. I figured if the pump conks out then I'll get it fixed. But if it's still doing it at 99k then i'll really complain to get it fixed before my 100k mi. warranty expires LOL.
     
    #5 paprius4030, Mar 22, 2007
  6. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brucem5755 @ Mar 22 2007, 05:24 PM) [snapback]410469[/snapback]</div>
    well, with near 30k on mine, and two full winters (the second winter being the one where the cold weather screech showed up) i can assure you that it goes away when it warms up, indicating it's not a permanent issue. the thing operates normally, just noisily. they're not gonna replace it under warranty.
     
    #6 galaxee, Mar 22, 2007
  7. baumgrenze

    baumgrenze Junior Member

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    Thank you all for the 'reassuring' messages.

    Let's compare notes. Real cold here in Palo Alto is below freezing. I'm beginning to hear the noise at 45° F ambient. This is after trips in the 3-5 mile range from a cold start and/or at the end of a return trip after an hour's rest or so at the destination. The sound is loud enough so you can hear it clearly even 6 feet away from the front of the car. I don't think of it so much as a screech as I do a series of 'cluck.' My son keeps exotic chickens and when one lays an egg the whole flock starts in with congratulations, I guess. It sounds like that, not a sound most city folk would know, even though he lives in Oakland.

    I'll repost in a month when the lows should be mostly above 50° F if I continue to hear the sound.

    Thanks again,

    baumgrenze
     
    #7 baumgrenze, Mar 22, 2007
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