Weird buzzing and soft whine when parked

asj2009 · 10-14-2009, 03:56 PM

Here's a weird one that I searched for in the forums but could find nothing on.

I parked the car, switched it off, and remained inside with the key, reading a book.

After awhile I noticed a buzzing sound (kinda like a faroff lawnmower), followed by a soft whine. This repeats itself maybe every 30 sec to 1 minute. I went outside and the sound can be heard if you place your ear next to the vents near the front windshield (although from outside you can't seem to hear the small whine following).

Has anyone else noticed this? What is it? The battery?

asj2009 · 10-14-2009, 04:26 PM

I checked on the car again after 30 minutes leaving it alone, and this time no sounds as far as I can see. I'll do more tests. For example, leave the car alone until no sounds heard, then come back and stand close with the key.

mr_zorg · 10-14-2009, 04:32 PM

It is normal for the car to make some sounds for a while after powering off. Various cooling fans, etc., are hard at work even after you stop. Plus, I noticed your package says you have the solar roof option (which I don't have), so it could be that kicking in and doing its job.

morpheusx · 10-14-2009, 04:34 PM

You are likely hearing the brake actuator

rachaelseven · 10-14-2009, 09:35 PM

She's just purring with contentment, enjoying you sitting in her lap

pinzvidz · 10-14-2009, 09:39 PM

I'd say it's your interior fan (solar cooling) doing it's little thing. We've noticed it on the one we had in stock, if left sitting in the yard and unlocked, the fan will go through a cycle. Open the door and sit in the car. You'll hear it start off with a light electrical buzz, followed by sound of interior fan motor, then cuts out. Repeats cycle every 30 seconds or so.

Next time you are in the same scenario, and you hear it, try pressing off your solar switch. It should stop immediately.

Benggolf · 10-14-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachaelseven

She's just purring with contentment, enjoying you sitting in her lap

LMAO! That's a good one.

By the way asj2009, do you have the solar panel on your Prius? The sound you are hearing could be the fan which brings in cooler outside air, ventilating the cabin close to the ambient outside temperature (OAT).

asj2009 · 10-14-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morpheusx

You are likely hearing the brake actuator

Have to test...it might be this:

Automotive Advice - Auto Repair Questions and Answers: Toyota Prius Hybrid Brake Noise 2004-07

asj2009 · 10-14-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachaelseven

She's just purring with contentment, enjoying you sitting in her lap

Oh man

asj2009 · 10-14-2009, 11:07 PM

About the solar...yes, I have the solar roof package...might be that, i'll have to test tomorrow...but it was fairly cold outside so i'm not sure that would be triggered...i'll test anyways.

Anyone know where that fan is actually physically located?

10-14-2009, 03:56 PM	#1
asj2009 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 146 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 7 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts Friends: 0	Weird buzzing and soft whine when parked Here's a weird one that I searched for in the forums but could find nothing on. I parked the car, switched it off, and remained inside with the key, reading a book. After awhile I noticed a buzzing sound (kinda like a faroff lawnmower), followed by a soft whine. This repeats itself maybe every 30 sec to 1 minute. I went outside and the sound can be heard if you place your ear next to the vents near the front windshield (although from outside you can't seem to hear the small whine following). Has anyone else noticed this? What is it? The battery?

10-14-2009, 04:26 PM	#2
asj2009 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 146 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 7 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Weird buzzing and soft whine when parked I checked on the car again after 30 minutes leaving it alone, and this time no sounds as far as I can see. I'll do more tests. For example, leave the car alone until no sounds heard, then come back and stand close with the key.

10-14-2009, 04:32 PM	#3
mr_zorg Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 338 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Weird buzzing and soft whine when parked It is normal for the car to make some sounds for a while after powering off. Various cooling fans, etc., are hard at work even after you stop. Plus, I noticed your package says you have the solar roof option (which I don't have), so it could be that kicking in and doing its job.

10-14-2009, 04:34 PM	#4
morpheusx Professor Chaos Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 1,506 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 7 Thanked 39 Times in 25 Posts Friends: 3	Re: Weird buzzing and soft whine when parked You are likely hearing the brake actuator

10-14-2009, 09:35 PM	#5
rachaelseven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Adams, MA Posts: 582 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 87 Thanked 145 Times in 86 Posts Friends: 4	Re: Weird buzzing and soft whine when parked She's just purring with contentment, enjoying you sitting in her lap

10-14-2009, 09:39 PM	#6
pinzvidz Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 64 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 2 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Weird buzzing and soft whine when parked I'd say it's your interior fan (solar cooling) doing it's little thing. We've noticed it on the one we had in stock, if left sitting in the yard and unlocked, the fan will go through a cycle. Open the door and sit in the car. You'll hear it start off with a light electrical buzz, followed by sound of interior fan motor, then cuts out. Repeats cycle every 30 seconds or so. Next time you are in the same scenario, and you hear it, try pressing off your solar switch. It should stop immediately.

10-14-2009, 11:07 PM	#10
asj2009 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 146 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 7 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Weird buzzing and soft whine when parked About the solar...yes, I have the solar roof package...might be that, i'll have to test tomorrow...but it was fairly cold outside so i'm not sure that would be triggered...i'll test anyways. Anyone know where that fan is actually physically located?

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