A/C is making a loud whine....

quagmire0 · 07-18-2007, 08:15 PM

Hey all,

I've got a 2006 Prius package 4. A few weeks ago I noticed this really loud whine while the car was sitting idle in the garage (car powered on). I hadn't noticed this sound before and it definitely wasn't the usual whizzing and buzzing I'm used to. At first I thought it had been related to a charger that I had plugged into the power socket. I heard it again today and decided to pop the hood and take a look. Noticed it seemed to be coming from the front, on the left (standing in front of the car). I played around with the Climate control and noticed that the sound only comes on when the A/C is on. Turn off the A/C and keep the fan running, no noise. It seems too loud to be 'typical'. Has anyone had this issue? I did a search, but most of what I saw was on the 2004 models.

BTW - the A/C seems to be working fine, frigid as usual. :P

8AA · 07-19-2007, 06:00 PM

The air conditioner compressor/motor does have kind of a whine to it; especially if it is running at high speed. It's not really noticeable unless you're outside the car. I've also noticed it when I've been driving in a parking garage with my windows down.

quagmire0 · 07-20-2007, 12:12 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(8AA @ Jul 19 2007, 05:00 PM) [snapback]481845[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The air conditioner compressor/motor does have kind of a whine to it; especially if it is running at high speed. It's not really noticeable unless you're outside the car. I've also noticed it when I've been driving in a parking garage with my windows down.
[/b]

Yeah, it could very well be the 'normal' noise, I just hadn't heard it before. It's barely audible when inside the car - but very noticeable outside.

brick · 07-20-2007, 10:49 PM

Sounds normal. It surprised me the first time I heard it, too.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
My 2001 model is making a loud noise!	rinnyboo	Gen II Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	5	03-20-2009 11:08 AM
Electric motor whine	jalynn2	Gen II Prius Technical Discussion	22	06-04-2007 10:55 AM
Loud whine when using aux input AND powering iPod...	livelychick	Gen II Prius Audio and Electronics	11	06-10-2006 01:25 AM
Brake Whine	bweston	Gen II Prius Main Forum	22	02-13-2006 06:08 PM
>One less thing for anti-hybrids to whine about...	Wynder	Gen II Prius Main Forum	23	01-13-2006 07:06 AM

07-18-2007, 08:15 PM	#1
quagmire0 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 110 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hey all, I've got a 2006 Prius package 4. A few weeks ago I noticed this really loud whine while the car was sitting idle in the garage (car powered on). I hadn't noticed this sound before and it definitely wasn't the usual whizzing and buzzing I'm used to. At first I thought it had been related to a charger that I had plugged into the power socket. I heard it again today and decided to pop the hood and take a look. Noticed it seemed to be coming from the front, on the left (standing in front of the car). I played around with the Climate control and noticed that the sound only comes on when the A/C is on. Turn off the A/C and keep the fan running, no noise. It seems too loud to be 'typical'. Has anyone had this issue? I did a search, but most of what I saw was on the 2004 models. BTW - the A/C seems to be working fine, frigid as usual. :P

07-19-2007, 06:00 PM	#2
8AA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 492 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	The air conditioner compressor/motor does have kind of a whine to it; especially if it is running at high speed. It's not really noticeable unless you're outside the car. I've also noticed it when I've been driving in a parking garage with my windows down.

07-20-2007, 10:49 PM	#4
brick Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 895 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 10 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts Friends: 0	Sounds normal. It surprised me the first time I heard it, too.