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Prius vibration problem

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Pavel Volkov, Mar 14, 2013.

  1. rolawson

    rolawson New Member

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    They said if I wanted to drive one of theirs, I could. I am going to take them up on it this week.
     
  2. rolawson

    rolawson New Member

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    The service manager is going to let me drive a new one on the lot to compare. Even if a new one does this, this is not normal.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    did it vibrate when you test drove it?
     
  4. rolawson

    rolawson New Member

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    Called him to set up a time. He said they had 2 2014's on their lot and he drove both. He said both of them had the vibration. One was worse than the other one. I told him to give me the number I needed to call to take this to the next step. I saw no need to drive them. He said this was just the nature of the car. I told him that was unacceptable. It would be like them making sandwiches with a pound of bad bologna and telling me that the sandwich I bought was just like the other ones they made. I will update on what is told to me.
     
  5. rolawson

    rolawson New Member

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    I just went through the review of my case with a case worker. He made contact with all that has been involved so far. He came back with the same wording. He said this was normal. I explained that I would love for a Rep from Toyota explain to a jury that the vibration, close to driving over shallow rumble strips on the road, is normal. They are sending me all the information for me to file a lemon law case. I will keep you posted on how that goes.
     
  6. Tolliver

    Tolliver Junior Member

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    Mine is doing the same thing. I took it into the dealer and got new tires put on it. It still does it in between the 65 and 70 mph range. They did that road force balance today. Really didn't change much.
    They told me to give it some time and let them know. If its still there then they are going to have the toyota rep come drive it and advise on what to do.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    at least they're trying.
     
  8. JamesKFChiu

    JamesKFChiu Member

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    Any update/solution regarding this case?
    Mine started to cause vibration couple of weeks ago, basically among the same speed range.

    Here's what I've done:
    1. Tire balanced @ just tires
    2. Replaced drive shaft (both Front Left and Right, not just for this reason, tho)
    3. Installed set of brand new Ecopia EP422 plus
    4. Balanced 4 wheels
    4. Re-balanced (Road force balancing)
    5. Alignment
    6. Reduced tire pressure from 42/40 => 40/38 => 36/34
    7. Inspected wheel cover and switched (F <=> R)

    Non of above helped, someone mentioned about bearing, but car does not make any noise while driving.
    Any idea for my next step?

    My '12 Pri has only 44000 miles, carefully used and dealer serviced.
    Only mechanical mod is that I installed TRD prius plus spring this Jan.
    This vibration is really annoying and hard to believe especially my car runs extremely smooth just couple of weeks ago...
     
    solrunner likes this.
  9. Christian_cool

    Christian_cool Junior Member

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    I would check the manifold intake. It has the ability under some right circumstances to be filled with trash that block the small ventilation holes in the manifold. I had the same symptoms like you have until i took the manifold and egr apart and cleaned them. I will suggest you to look at your manifold.

    Greetings
    Christian

    Btw sorry for my English :)
     
  10. JamesKFChiu

    JamesKFChiu Member

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    Thanks Christian! I'll search around later to see if I can do that myself :)
     
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  11. rolawson

    rolawson New Member

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    They reviewed my case. I am getting ready to go to arbitration. They acknowledge there is a vibration. They said that my vehicle does not suffer from a defect in materials or workmanship that impairs it use, value or safety. Bet they wouldn't want their vehicle to do what mine is. I am going to push this all the way to court. I will keep you guys posted. I will add, that if your vehicle is doing this complain. The more that does, the more it will help us all.
     
  12. JamesKFChiu

    JamesKFChiu Member

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    This morning I took off all four wheel covers but vibration continues,
    heard some abnormal humming noise especially around 55 mph.
    This is another frustrating issue
     
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    What was the reason for performing #2 above?

    Your English is perfect, there is nothing to apologize for.

    If the manifold intake is the issue, then the vibration should definitely disappear when the engine is not spinning, and I would think it might disappear when the vehicle is decelerating since at that point the fuel supply is cut off (this would be where instantaneous fuel economy is displaying 100 mpg on North American cars...)
     
    #73 Patrick Wong, May 6, 2015
    Last edited: May 6, 2015
    Christian_cool likes this.
  14. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

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    388000 I noticed a vibration after getting new tires. Had them double check the alignment and the balance and still was a problem. manifold intake you think???


    iPhone ?
     
  15. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    This thread is focused on 3G vibration issues. Post #69 cites the intake manifold as a potential issue, and this is limited to 3G since 2G does not have an EGR system.
     
  16. w8_4_me

    w8_4_me Junior Member

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    This thread has kind of stalled out. I just picked up a 13 after trading in my 09. Noticed my 13 also has this issue. I didn't get it up to 70 during the test drive. Took it back to dealership and they re-balanced the tires. prob is still there. GREAT! My 09 was smooth as silk. Noticed all the under-body panels on this thing....could it be the wind causing them to flex and bounce? They seem quite flimsy. Kind of a harmonics kind of thing? Just typing out loud here.
    Has anyone found the silver bullet yet that got rid of their vibes?
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I don't think it's the underpanels; don't notice anything on our 2010. I'd still bet on the wheels.
     
  18. JamesKFChiu

    JamesKFChiu Member

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    Sorry for the late update.
    After several visits to 3 different America's tire with tire replacements, they finally got the problem: a heavy spot on one rim which caused all the vibration, just tell them to calibrate the balancing machine and pay extra attention.
     
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  19. Mabagal

    Mabagal Junior Member

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    I just got my 2015 prius (persona) 7 days ago, wasn't able to test drive it at highway speeds. When I got the chance to take it to the freeway, noticed that the car is vibrating at around 60mph-70mph. I am hoping that this is only a tire issue. my 2003 5 series with 220k miles don't have any vibrations at any speed.
     
  20. PRIUS STAR SHIP

    PRIUS STAR SHIP Junior Member

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    Paul Schenck likes this.