Squeal of Mystery...

ejnel · 04-05-2005, 01:04 PM

Three weeks into the Prius Experience, the first glitch from my new baby -- a VERY high pitched LOUD squeal, emmanating from what seems to be deep within the dashboard, along with the sound of something trying -- and failing to spin up. Thought it might be CD, but nada -- and car runs fine. Of course, when I brought car into service, NO sound could be heard, so they waved me out. Noise has not reoccured, but this disturbs me greatly.

I'm stumped.

Any idea of what this could be? NO warning lights appeared -- could it be AC related?

Baffled in LA,
Erik

DanP · 04-05-2005, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Three weeks into the Prius Experience, the first glitch from my new baby -- a VERY high pitched LOUD squeal, emmanating from what seems to be deep within the dashboard, along with the sound of something trying -- and failing to spin up. Thought it might be CD, but nada -- and car runs fine. Of course, when I brought car into service, NO sound could be heard, so they waved me out. Noise has not reoccured, but this disturbs me greatly.

I'm stumped.

Any idea of what this could be? NO warning lights appeared -- could it be AC related?

Baffled in LA,
Erik

This happens when IRPD (internal rodent propulsion device) fails. Just slip a snake behind the dash to clear out the old device. A few weeks later, when the snake has moved out, slip in a new Toyota-approved hamster (or a higher-performance rat). Good as new.

P.S., Sorry I could not be useful.

rick57 · 04-05-2005, 05:04 PM

I wouldn't want to work on your car,Dan! I don't want any suprise animals jumping out at me,

As for your noise,Erik, I have not ran across any of my customers Prius' making any similiar noises. Maybe under the hood,belt noise,

Will be hard for the techs to find the source until they hear it. Maybe keep a note of when it happens; climate control settings, temp outside, just started engine or at normal operating temp, etc. That may give them a little more clues where to look. But maybe not, noises sometimes are hard to track.

DanMan32 · 04-06-2005, 09:34 AM

I am suspecting the cabin fan motor. Maybe a leaf got stuck in the squirrel cage. If the noise starts, see if it stops if you turn off the HVAC.

04-05-2005, 01:04 PM	#1
ejnel Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Squeal of Mystery... Three weeks into the Prius Experience, the first glitch from my new baby -- a VERY high pitched LOUD squeal, emmanating from what seems to be deep within the dashboard, along with the sound of something trying -- and failing to spin up. Thought it might be CD, but nada -- and car runs fine. Of course, when I brought car into service, NO sound could be heard, so they waved me out. Noise has not reoccured, but this disturbs me greatly. I'm stumped. Any idea of what this could be? NO warning lights appeared -- could it be AC related? Baffled in LA, Erik

04-05-2005, 05:04 PM	#3
rick57 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Circleville, Ohio Posts: 565 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Squeal of Mystery... I wouldn't want to work on your car,Dan! I don't want any suprise animals jumping out at me, As for your noise,Erik, I have not ran across any of my customers Prius' making any similiar noises. Maybe under the hood,belt noise, Will be hard for the techs to find the source until they hear it. Maybe keep a note of when it happens; climate control settings, temp outside, just started engine or at normal operating temp, etc. That may give them a little more clues where to look. But maybe not, noises sometimes are hard to track. __________________ Rick Angles Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician Toyota Hybrid Technician Germain Toyota Columbus, Ohio

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04-06-2005, 09:34 AM	#4
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I am suspecting the cabin fan motor. Maybe a leaf got stuck in the squirrel cage. If the noise starts, see if it stops if you turn off the HVAC.