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Whirring Sound When Opening Door

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by kenopa, Mar 29, 2010.

  1. kenopa

    kenopa Junior Member

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    Every time I open the drivers door, a whirring sound starts from under the hood, then it gradually slows and stops. Maybe from the inverter area. What is this and is it normal operation? Or is this the Prius saying hello?
     
    #1 kenopa, Mar 29, 2010
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    That's the brake boost pump building up pressure and it is normal... After it does this if you sit around before taking off the pressure drops a bit and the brakes can feel a little grabby until the pressure rebuilds. Not a big thing though...
     
    #2 Paradox, Mar 29, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  3. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    Yep normal, It's the brakes.
     
    #3 adamace1, Mar 30, 2010
  4. SlowTurd

    SlowTurd I LIKE PRIUS'S

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    it could also be a wife or girlfriend sitting in the passenger seat
     
    #4 SlowTurd, Mar 30, 2010
  5. kenopa

    kenopa Junior Member

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    Nah. Different sound. Goes like "Nag,Nag,Nag when I open the drivers door, and it never goes away.
     
    #5 kenopa, Mar 31, 2010
    CharlesPrius, seckwielen and guinness_fr like this.
  6. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    It *is* the car saying hello, and reassuring you that its braking
    system will work just fine despite everything you've heard on
    the news.
    .
    _H*
     
    #6 hobbit, Apr 1, 2010
  7. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    I thought it was the photon torpedoes energizing.
     
    #7 mad-dog-one, Apr 2, 2010
  8. Skoorbmax

    Skoorbmax Senior Member

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    Heard it last night, too :)
     
    #8 Skoorbmax, Apr 2, 2010
  9. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    So what is the difference between this sound and the coolant bladder or coolant exchange tank or whatever it is? I had read on here previously that is what the sound was...
     
    #9 2k1Toaster, Apr 2, 2010
  10. Philosophe

    Philosophe 2010 Prius owner

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    There is no more coolant thermos in the 3rd Gen Prius. It was in some way replaced by a coolant heat exchanger on the exhaust system.
     
    #10 Philosophe, Apr 2, 2010
  11. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    ah... My lowly Gen II makes a different whirry sound then!

    So I wonder if I make both sounds, or if Toyota decided since they got rid of the source of the sound on the Gen III, they would add it back in with a new source, the brakes! :)
     
    #11 2k1Toaster, Apr 2, 2010
  12. Radiant

    Radiant New Member

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    If you like the whiring sound: try staying in your car for a few minutes or returning to the garage after turning the car off. You practically get an orchestra performance.
     
    #12 Radiant, Apr 2, 2010
  13. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    The Gen II also has the electric brake accumulator pump, although it doesn't run when you open the driver's door. You can hear it about every third time or so when you press the brakes.

    Tom
     
    #13 qbee42, Apr 2, 2010
  14. PriusCrazy

    PriusCrazy Blizzard Pearl for Me

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    I noticed this for the first time a few days ago. There was such a chorus of sounds I started to refasten my seat belt just in case! The Prius really is from outer space! :)
     
    #14 PriusCrazy, Apr 2, 2010
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