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"Squeak"? noise behind dash

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by rmsmith1977, May 10, 2013.

  1. rmsmith1977

    rmsmith1977 Junior Member

    Joined:
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    2004 Prius
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    2004 Prius base
    191K miles
    Just curious if anyone knows what this is. There is a squeaking (for lack of a better term) noise from behind the dash..

    this may seem childish but this is the closest noise i can compare it to. Soda Popinski's laugh in Mike tyson's punch out.




    1)it's only present when climate control is on.
    2)it's present in winter or summer
    3)it's present if the car is in motion or parked.
    4)performance is not affected(other than my MPG being abysmal(~40)but after going from Kroger gas to Chevron it's back up to 44(i attribute the other 5 to non LRR tires))

    it's not a pressing issue(i hope not at least) because there are no codes, the car doesn't overheat, there is turbulence in the reservoir so i dont think it's air in the coolant.

    Any ideas? Just trying to keep it running in good shape, only other issue is the catalytic converter (these squeaks were present before any CEL were on reguarding the cat.)

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. alexeft

    alexeft Member

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    Could it be the flap that controls air recirculation? Try it with air recirculation on and off.

    Also, I had a squeak and it came from the plastic piece under the wipers. Its clips were broken.
     
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  3. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

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    I agree. The noise is from the flap that switches between outside air and recirculate. I remember getting odd looks from a passenger or two when that noise happened! :D
     
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  4. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    Could it be mice? They squeak!H
     
  5. alexeft

    alexeft Member

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    A cat would diagnose and solve that!!!
     
  6. rmsmith1977

    rmsmith1977 Junior Member

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    havent' thought of that. i will give that a try on the way home.
     
  7. rmsmith1977

    rmsmith1977 Junior Member

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    ha. I work for an airline so i get a lot of airline jokes. reminded me of this email i got one time reguarding the Quantas gripe sheet, basically it's a sheet the pilots fill out if there's something wrong with the plane.
    P=Problem
    S=Solution

    P: Mouse in cockpit
    S: Cat installed
     
  8. rmsmith1977

    rmsmith1977 Junior Member

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    It seems to be the flap for air recirculation. If I press the button to recirculate the noise goes away. If i press it again for outside air it the noise doesn't come back. At least until i turn off and start the car again.

    Thanks alexeft and Eclipse1701d. I was afraid it was some kind of heater core problem
     
  9. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

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    You're welcome. Hopefully, you can help me with my next problem!
     
  10. alexeft

    alexeft Member

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    :)