Whirring buzzing noise when car is off, in garage hours after shutdown

First time I heard that: I'd jacked up the rear end of our near-new 2010, and the noise started up. As you said: it had been hours since it had run. My first thought was: 'oh man, I've done it now...'.

 

Thanks for this thread. Just heard it in the garage tonight (about five hours after I last shut my new '11 Prius down). The location seemed to be in the back, and nothing like the coolant recovery pump from the 04.

Sighs of relief that my battery won't be dead tomorrow morning.

Bob.

 

This information is covered in the owner's manual for both the Gen II and Gen III.

Tom

 

To paraphrase from the owners manual:
"Any noise you hear, whether the car is running or not, is normal."

 

Don't forget also that if you approach the car with the keys in your pocket, the car may make noise based off of the proximity.

Just another thought.

-Sam

 

How far should the fobs be stored from the vehicle? I'd really like to be able to keep the spare fob in the car, but I guess that can't be done and still lock the doors.

 

Walk up to your car at night and notice when the interior lights illuminate. That should be the distance that the SKS detects the key fob. Storing the key further should not be a problem. I think you could lock the fob in the car but you would have to use the actual key and lock to do it.

Aloha,

ED

 

Find a metal box the FOB will fit in. Then you can store it in the car. Car thieves will love you for it.

 

That is just too hilarious!!! Love It!!!!!

 

I was about to make a new post and found this on a search. I heard the whirrling/buzzing noise about 5 1/2 hours after I turned it off. the FOB is about 15 feet from the car. even though it is in a garage I hit the lock button and the sound went away.

 

If it's gen III you CAN leave the spare key in the car and lock it with your other FOB. However the car will continue to be "aware" there is a key in the car and will periodically communicate. This will use power from your 12v battery.

 

Ok, I have this noise on my 2010 Prius and the noise hasn't stopped for a couple of hours, car now won't start and there is a sulphur type odor. Any ideas? Any ideas on hou to get the power killed to the car

 

Yikes, sounds like something wrong with your 12v battery. It is located in the passenger side rear corner of the hatch area. Unhook it until you figure out what the issue is.

Mike

 

I have experienced this several times with my 2010 and also with my wife's 2007 Prius. I have found that if I grab the key, start the car for a second or two then shut it off the noise stops. Do not buy the suggestions offered. Would prefer that Toyota be more transparent about what is causing this.

 

from another thread:

From the owner's manual:​

Noise from under vehicle after turning off the hybrid system:​

Approximately five hours after the hybrid system is turned off, you may hear sound coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a fuel evaporation leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction.​

Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/odd-noise-after-being-off-for-hours.109801/#ixzz1yFmGB06O​

 

Toyota *is* transparent about this noise. It is the evaporative system leak test, as discussed in a previous post. Whether you buy it or not, this is the cause of the noise. It is clearly described in the owners manual.

As for the person with the sulfur smell, that's a different issue. That generally means that something has gone horribly wrong with the 12v battery.

Tom

 

Also came here via a search b/c I heard the noise today for the first time (1 month Prius owner here). Sorta freaked me out, I thought the car was becoming self-aware or something.

BTW, I had not driven the car for 7 hours. I hope it wasn't running for 2 hours or something.

 

What do you mean "becoming" self aware? It already knows you, how you drive, what it's supposed to do in many situations. Pearl S is WAY smarter than I am.