TSB BR001-07 Brake actuator noise

[jimklausner]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Mar 10 2007, 07:34 PM) [snapback]403522[/snapback]</div>

I think you can wait, especially if it's been happening since 2004. When my ABS actuator failed I was on the way to the office and just turned around and went to the dealer. Braking was still normal. They had the car for a week. Make sure they reconnect the dimmer switch on the dash before you leave the lot.
[/b]

JimN,
I think I have had this problem with my 2007 Prius since almost day #1. I now have 3700 milles on my car. It seems that the I am hearing the sound more frequently. It happens when I shift from Park to Reverse, and release foot brake. It also occurs when I shift from Park to Drive, and release foot brake, but this is less frequently. Does what I say correspond to your experience? I have printed the TSB BR001-07 to "discuss" with the Manager of my dealer's service center tomorrow, Monday. I am also going to ask how many Prius's they have fixed for this problem. I do not want mine to be the first one for a technician.

Jim K. (aka, Connecticut Yankee)

[usbseawolf2000]

I picked up my Prius yesterday and the brake barking noise is gone. My radio presets as well as MPG, Trip A and Trip B were all cleared. I believe they disconnected the 12 volt battery or drained it down. Just a heads up to those who plan to do this TSB. Let us know if yours got reset as well.

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ConnecticutYankee @ Mar 25 2007, 04:03 PM) [snapback]411992[/snapback]</div>

JimN,
I think I have had this problem with my 2007 Prius since almost day #1. I now have 3700 milles on my car. It seems that the I am hearing the sound more frequently. It happens when I shift from Park to Reverse, and release foot brake. It also occurs when I shift from Park to Drive, and release foot brake, but this is less frequently. Does what I say correspond to your experience? I have printed the TSB BR001-07 to "discuss" with the Manager of my dealer's service center tomorrow, Monday. I am also going to ask how many Prius's they have fixed for this problem. I do not want mine to be the first one for a technician.

Jim K. (aka, Connecticut Yankee)
[/b]

Jim K., I don't remember hearing any odd or additional sounds when shifting. There was a lot of clicking, gurgling or whirring when the car was parked and off. The clicking was also present when the car was in drive after the brake and ABS lights lit. I didn't hear any other sounds. If they existed maybe they were drowned out by road noise but I think whatever was causing the noise finally failed 100%.

The ABS actuator & resistor were replaced (FP-Number 44500-47090) as was the brake fluid and coolant. The dash was apart because the dimmer switch wasn't reconnected. I was satisfied with the brake work--they failed on the bonehead (IMO) part of the job. (It was another almost whole day for that to get fixed.)

At worst, it sounds like your car will need less work than mine and I can understand your apprehension but I don't think there's any special trick to this work. The time on the TSB is over 5 hours. They should also test the car a few times after it is done to make sure everything is OK and doesn't leak. I'd get the loaner.

[jimklausner]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Mar 25 2007, 07:39 PM) [snapback]412065[/snapback]</div>

Jim K., I don't remember hearing any odd or additional sounds when shifting. There was a lot of clicking, gurgling or whirring when the car was parked and off. The clicking was also present when the car was in drive after the brake and ABS lights lit. I didn't hear any other sounds. If they existed maybe they were drowned out by road noise but I think whatever was causing the noise finally failed 100%.

The ABS actuator & resistor were replaced (FP-Number 44500-47090) as was the brake fluid and coolant. The dash was apart because the dimmer switch wasn't reconnected. I was satisfied with the brake work--they failed on the bonehead (IMO) part of the job. (It was another almost whole day for that to get fixed.)

At worst, it sounds like your car will need less work than mine and I can understand your apprehension but I don't think there's any special trick to this work. The time on the TSB is over 5 hours. They should also test the car a few times after it is done to make sure everything is OK and doesn't leak. I'd get the loaner.
[/b]

JimN,
I did a bad job of describing the sequence of events leading to the noise. I begin by pressing foot brake and pressing Power button to "start" the car. With Ready light displayed and foot brake (not the emergency brake) still firmly depressed, I "shift" from Park to Reverse. Just as I begin to release pressure on the foot brake do I get the peculiar squeek, and it is a single squeek. The squeek seems to come from left front of vehicle. However, with my hearing not being perfect any longer, I cannot be certain as to exact location of the noise.

After reading of your experiences with the replace/repair of the actuator, namely taking the dash apart and not reconnecting the dimmer switch, I am a little apprehensive over the repair. No offense meant, but I hope your experience is/was unique.

I will appreciate receiving your opinions, and those of others, about this topic before I phone my dealer's service center.

Connecticut Yankee (Jim K.)

[JimN]

JimK, The dealer told me my experience was unique. (Not sure if it was a story but probably the first they saw.) I classify it as a "catastrophic failure". Your experience sounds to me more like a minor problem or annoyance. IMO I'd get it fixed so it doesn't become a major problem but I wouldn't go out of my way. Have them look at it on the next service.

If brake failure was commonplace you'd see it all over the site.

[Dirtnapper]

We just got a Prius a month ago...took it back for the left pull and noise. Dropped the car off again to have the brake issue taken care of....it took two days! Beware if they tell you a day, they told us that at first, then when it went in,they called and apologized saying it would take two days. Sadly, still have a metallic sound on driver's front, going back on Monday.

[greenekr]

Thanks everyone for the info...I was driving from NY to Wy. When I got there, I had a squeal in the front right side and my brake squeaked when I stepped on the brake. Dealer in Laramie didn't know much about it. It went away eventually; but a service manager in NC said that I had to get it fixed when I got home. Spent 4 hours at my NY Dealer for them to figure it out. They said that there was no service bulletin on the problem, but are ordering a part. Will take your warnings when I go in.

[feivel]

Had this TSB done - it took THREE days.

I just got it back today. Reset all the computers (except the ODO) and battery was drained. The bill (covered by warranty) was over $2200. Yikes!

Getting it back, the brakes feel a bit weaker than before, and a bit jerkier when I come to a stop. Not sure if they made the system better or worse. The wierd thing is that the pump sound is still there! I rented a prius before buying this one, and the pump sound was never there.

A) Does anyone think they did something wrong? The brakes seem to work fine, just not the same as before and not "stiffer"

Should I leave that pump sound alone, or ask why it's still there?

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(feivel @ Aug 12 2007, 03:11 AM) [snapback]494232[/snapback]</div>

Had this TSB done - it took THREE days.

I just got it back today. Reset all the computers (except the ODO) and battery was drained. The bill (covered by warranty) was over $2200. Yikes!

Getting it back, the brakes feel a bit weaker than before, and a bit jerkier when I come to a stop. Not sure if they made the system better or worse. The wierd thing is that the pump sound is still there! I rented a prius before buying this one, and the pump sound was never there.

A) Does anyone think they did something wrong? The brakes seem to work fine, just not the same as before and not "stiffer"

Should I leave that pump sound alone, or ask why it's still there?
[/b]

I would not overlook abnormal pump noises. Maybe the lines just need to be bled.

[usbseawolf2000]

The "barking" noise is back but very rarely. I've heard it maybe 3 times so far. Before the TSB was done, I could hear it almost every time I come to a stop.