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Sound coming from rear passenger side

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Saquibs2004, Feb 13, 2012.

  1. Saquibs2004

    Saquibs2004 New Member

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    I'm hearing a sound of closing something coming from the rear passenger side that. the sound comes randomly many times while driving. it doesn't come when parked. it sounds like the automatic antenna that is on 1995 Accords that closes and opens. is that the vent? also, do all prius's have that sound? is there something wrong with my prius?
     
    #1 Saquibs2004, Feb 13, 2012
  2. shaneb

    shaneb New Member

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    Sounds like a dirty battery cooling fan. How many miles on your prius ? has the fan ever been cleaned ?
     
    #2 shaneb, Feb 14, 2012
  3. Saquibs2004

    Saquibs2004 New Member

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    mileage is 119k and fan has never been cleaned.
     
    #3 Saquibs2004, Feb 14, 2012
  4. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    The noise is def the batt clg fan. It probably needs to be cleaned. This is probably what you're looking at (http://lusciousgarage.com/blog/prius_battery_cooling_fan_cleaning/). You will most likely need to clean it or have it cleaned. The fact that the fan is running means the thermostat is working (which is good) but, it shouldn't hardly ever run in this weather. The fact that its running so much would indicate it needs to be cleaned.
     
    #4 usnavystgc, Feb 15, 2012
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    There are two things that make me wonder, though:

    First, in the Luscious Garage article, Carolyn only seems to be saying the 2004-2009 battery fan lacks a filter and needs cleaning, but the OP's profile says My car: 2002 and this is posted in the Gen 1 forum. Maybe the Gen 1 also lacks a filter, it's just that Carolyn didn't say so. And,

    Second, the OP says the noise is from the rear passenger side. From 2004-2009 that is where the battery fan is, but in a Gen 1 2002, it's on the rear driver side.

    Anything else this problem could be?

    -Chap
     
    #5 ChapmanF, Feb 16, 2012
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Here's another random thought just based on how you describe the sound. This actually comes from passenger front, but could be heard differently. Are you familiar with the sound of your brake accumulator repressurizing? You should easily be able to make it happen if you sit with the key ON but the car not started, and pump the brakes until you hear it. Sort of an RRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrclick. Like the sound of something closing. If you listen to that sound, is it what you were hearing?

    If so, it is a normal sound, at startup or whenever you've used the brakes several times ... on the other hand if it is happening especially often, it might be worth checking how well the brake system is holding pressure between uses.

    -Chap
     
    #6 ChapmanF, Feb 16, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  7. Johnunit

    Johnunit New Member

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    thanks chapman I'd been wondering what that noise was.



    Can anyone confirm or deny issues with the battery fan on the first gen prius? Is this something that happens? How hard is it to clean the fan?
     
    #7 Johnunit, Feb 18, 2012
  8. Saquibs2004

    Saquibs2004 New Member

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    Thanks everyone for replying. Now that I think about it it could be the brake accumulator repressurizing because it sounds like RRRRrrrrrrrrrrrClick. It also happens when I have come to a stop.
     
    #8 Saquibs2004, Feb 19, 2012
  9. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Well, now I feel stupid for saying "Its def the battery cooling fan".
     
    #9 usnavystgc, Feb 21, 2012
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