Shutdown Sounds Louder

baumgrenze · 03-21-2007, 11:59 PM

I posted this late on 3/7/07 on alt.autos.toyota.prius, but it does not seem to be at all an active group. I've seen no additions to the thread.

I drive a 2004 Prius. I just had 25,000 miles service done on it today.

I would like to know if others have experienced the phenomenon I describe below.

Since December or January, if the ambient temperature is below 40 degrees F, and if I drive just a few miles, when I shut down the car the normally almost inaudible shutdown noises are now much louder. The louder sound is very much like a hen house after one of the hens has laid an egg. It lasts the normal ~30 seconds.

I am concerned that trouble may be developing. I'd like to nip it in the bud.

The service department at my dealership on the San Francisco Peninsula had not heard any similar complaints. It was too warm this morning to elicit the sound for them to hear.

I have a clip of the sound on my cell phone, just in case it might be possible to attach an mp3 file. I confess I've no idea how to move the sound file from my cell phone to my computer.

baumgrenze

Dion · 03-22-2007, 12:23 PM

You are not alone. My coolant pump makes a loud screeching sound when it is cold outside. I have not taken it to the dealer because it has to be below freezing and the car has to be cold. I know this must happen to other Prius owners.

galaxee · 03-22-2007, 12:45 PM

if it only does it when it's cold that seems to be the norm. if it keeps on after it warms up, then it's time to visit the dealer.

brucem5755 · 03-22-2007, 05:24 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 22 2007, 12:45 PM) [snapback]410246[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

if it only does it when it's cold that seems to be the norm. if it keeps on after it warms up, then it's time to visit the dealer.
[/b]

With over 10,000 miles on my Prius, there is nothing on it that is loud let alone screeching at any outside temperature from cold to hot. Respectfully speaking, loud screeching noises should not be considered 'the norm' for any car.

Perhaps Toyota sees it differently. The pumps do still perform their function even though they are loud according to other threads on PC... Me, I would get them to replace it, I didn't pay that much money for a car that screeches at me.

paprius4030 · 03-22-2007, 05:46 PM

When my 04 and now my 05 Prius went over something like 35kmi. the coolant pump that fills the thermos after shut down gets very loud at cold temps. Since they both did it I wasn't too concerned. I figured if the pump conks out then I'll get it fixed. But if it's still doing it at 99k then i'll really complain to get it fixed before my 100k mi. warranty expires LOL.

galaxee · 03-22-2007, 08:10 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brucem5755 @ Mar 22 2007, 05:24 PM) [snapback]410469[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

With over 10,000 miles on my Prius, there is nothing on it that is loud let alone screeching at any outside temperature from cold to hot. Respectfully speaking, loud screeching noises should not be considered 'the norm' for any car.

Perhaps Toyota sees it differently. The pumps do still perform their function even though they are loud according to other threads on PC... Me, I would get them to replace it, I didn't pay that much money for a car that screeches at me.
[/b]

well, with near 30k on mine, and two full winters (the second winter being the one where the cold weather screech showed up) i can assure you that it goes away when it warms up, indicating it's not a permanent issue. the thing operates normally, just noisily. they're not gonna replace it under warranty.

baumgrenze · 03-22-2007, 09:02 PM

Thank you all for the 'reassuring' messages.

Let's compare notes. Real cold here in Palo Alto is below freezing. I'm beginning to hear the noise at 45° F ambient. This is after trips in the 3-5 mile range from a cold start and/or at the end of a return trip after an hour's rest or so at the destination. The sound is loud enough so you can hear it clearly even 6 feet away from the front of the car. I don't think of it so much as a screech as I do a series of 'cluck.' My son keeps exotic chickens and when one lays an egg the whole flock starts in with congratulations, I guess. It sounds like that, not a sound most city folk would know, even though he lives in Oakland.

I'll repost in a month when the lows should be mostly above 50° F if I continue to hear the sound.

Thanks again,

baumgrenze

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Ever wonder how the ICE shutdown sounds like from outside?	usbseawolf2000	Gen II Prius Main Forum	13	12-21-2007 09:07 AM
Engine getting louder	Dilbert	Gen II Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	10	05-15-2007 02:55 PM
Any way to make the turn signals louder?	1enigma1	Gen II Prius Audio and Electronics	3	05-31-2005 03:51 PM
Added an amp, now the beeps are louder...	bobc	Gen II Prius Audio and Electronics	12	04-03-2005 05:19 PM
What is the fix to the louder MFD beeps after adding an amp?	garypear	Gen II Prius Audio and Electronics	0	02-21-2005 10:50 PM

03-21-2007, 11:59 PM	#1
baumgrenze Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 14 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I posted this late on 3/7/07 on alt.autos.toyota.prius, but it does not seem to be at all an active group. I've seen no additions to the thread. I drive a 2004 Prius. I just had 25,000 miles service done on it today. I would like to know if others have experienced the phenomenon I describe below. Since December or January, if the ambient temperature is below 40 degrees F, and if I drive just a few miles, when I shut down the car the normally almost inaudible shutdown noises are now much louder. The louder sound is very much like a hen house after one of the hens has laid an egg. It lasts the normal ~30 seconds. I am concerned that trouble may be developing. I'd like to nip it in the bud. The service department at my dealership on the San Francisco Peninsula had not heard any similar complaints. It was too warm this morning to elicit the sound for them to hear. I have a clip of the sound on my cell phone, just in case it might be possible to attach an mp3 file. I confess I've no idea how to move the sound file from my cell phone to my computer. baumgrenze

03-22-2007, 12:23 PM	#2
Dion Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 128 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	You are not alone. My coolant pump makes a loud screeching sound when it is cold outside. I have not taken it to the dealer because it has to be below freezing and the car has to be cold. I know this must happen to other Prius owners.

03-22-2007, 12:45 PM	#3
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: south of lake Michigan Posts: 9,737 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 130 Times in 53 Posts Friends: 26	if it only does it when it's cold that seems to be the norm. if it keeps on after it warms up, then it's time to visit the dealer.

03-22-2007, 05:46 PM	#5
paprius4030 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pocono's, Pa. Posts: 1,433 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 18 Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts Friends: 2	When my 04 and now my 05 Prius went over something like 35kmi. the coolant pump that fills the thermos after shut down gets very loud at cold temps. Since they both did it I wasn't too concerned. I figured if the pump conks out then I'll get it fixed. But if it's still doing it at 99k then i'll really complain to get it fixed before my 100k mi. warranty expires LOL.

03-22-2007, 09:02 PM	#7
baumgrenze Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 14 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Thank you all for the 'reassuring' messages. Let's compare notes. Real cold here in Palo Alto is below freezing. I'm beginning to hear the noise at 45° F ambient. This is after trips in the 3-5 mile range from a cold start and/or at the end of a return trip after an hour's rest or so at the destination. The sound is loud enough so you can hear it clearly even 6 feet away from the front of the car. I don't think of it so much as a screech as I do a series of 'cluck.' My son keeps exotic chickens and when one lays an egg the whole flock starts in with congratulations, I guess. It sounds like that, not a sound most city folk would know, even though he lives in Oakland. I'll repost in a month when the lows should be mostly above 50° F if I continue to hear the sound. Thanks again, baumgrenze