A/C Noise

they all make some noise you can hear from outside the car, or inside when the ice is off. that does sound bad though. don't some of those other threads describe it as a compressor on it's way out?

 

all the best.

 

The sound that you filmed/recorded is the same sound that my 2010 Prius II made while the AC was in use for the 34000 miles I owned the lease. And it is the same sound that my 2013 Prius III has made in the 20000 miles that I have had it when I use the AC. The AC works magnificently under all conditions, and controls the climate perfectly. The sound is less obtrusive with the hood closed, windows closed, and the stereo turned up loud.

 

My Prius also make exatly the same sound, specially at hot sun weather and AC set to full and engine heated up. First i thought that it wasn't normal then after some research i found its normal.

Christian

 

Hey PlumbersCrack - My new 2015 Prius III makes the same noise (only when the AC is on), and its pretty loud! I took it into the dealership for its first service and asked about this. They said "Normal". So, I asked them to bring up a new Prius off the lot to compare and when they did, it did not make the noise at all, at first. After about 10 minutes, the new one started to make the same noise, but not as loud! So, I will keep an eye (ear) on it to see if it gets worse in time (only 2,000mi so far).

By the way, if you don't mind me asking -- does your Prius have what I call a "back-lash" or "free-play" in the drivetrain? What I mean by this, and it might be hard to put into words, but here goes. When driving at any constant speed, when you take your foot off the gas a little to slow down, then accelerate again, do you feel this sensation of a "back-lash"? Another way to put it is by having your car on level ground (in park), then try to move your car forwards and backwards. When I do this to mine, I am able to move it back and forth about 3 inches before it stops! Does yours do this? I think this is why I feel this "back-lash". I HATE THAT IT DOES THIS!! If they can't fix it, I think I'm selling my new Prius!
Thanks in advance for your response or any other comments from other owners.
Kevin

 

are you saying, when you move it back and forth with your hand while it is in park?

while you had the other new one at the dealer, did you take it for a test drive?

btw, what are you getting for mpg's?

 

Bisco - Yes-just moving it with your hands (at the drivers door), in park, move the car back and and forth (front to back). It moves quite a bit until it stops in either direction. This extra free-play is what I'm feeling when slowing down a little and then slowly accelerating again - there is a slight amount of time for the drive shaft to re-engage.

 

I understand and have got used to the ICE engaging, and will probably get used to the AC whine (normal), But, I don't think I can get used to the play in the drive shafts.
Kevin

 

When the evaporator is hot or the car has been sitting in the sun for a while, the compressor will turn on at full speed, and it does get pretty loud, but its doing it job by trying to cool down the car. Problem arises if the compressor is that loud but with no cold air is blowing.

 

mine is a loud buzzing outside the car, but quiet inside with the windows up.