1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Buzzing electrical sound near the steering whee! helpl

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by AOV27, Aug 5, 2010.

  1. AOV27

    AOV27 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2010
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hi all,

    I recently purchased a used 2005 prius. Everything is fine and dandy and i love the car except for an electrical sound which sounds like a buzz. it usually happens when i brake or when i start to accelerate. Also does anyone know of any good places to have prius checked out in Chicago IL.

    Thank you in advance!
     
    #1 AOV27, Aug 5, 2010
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,074
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Does it sound like a ratcheting or buzzing sound? Does it come from down around the driver's footwell? Do you hear it every third time you brake, or thereabouts? If so, what you are hearing is the brake accumulator pump. The Prius can't use engine vacuum for power brakes, so it uses an electrically driven booster pump. The ratcheting sound is normal.

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, Aug 5, 2010
  3. AOV27

    AOV27 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2010
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Yea, it happends alot since i am in the city. It is a buzzing near under the steering wheel. Can i get this fixed? the sound is annoying and i am wondering if it will damage the car. thanks
     
    #3 AOV27, Aug 5, 2010
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,074
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    There is nothing to fix. It's doing what it's supposed to do. The only exception is if it buzzes frequently when you are not using the brakes. If it does this you have a pressure leak in the system.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, Aug 5, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  5. AOV27

    AOV27 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2010
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Do all prius make this noise. I was in a 2006 model and I didn't hear nothing.
     
    #5 AOV27, Aug 6, 2010
  6. john5396

    john5396 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2009
    14
    4
    0
    Location:
    Burlington, NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Yes, all Prius make this noise. If the accumulator pump runs for 1-2 seconds and stops, all is well. If the pump runs for 2 minutes continuously then you have a problem that needs to be looked after.
     
    #6 john5396, Aug 6, 2010
  7. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,074
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    As stated above, they all make this noise. Ambient noise can mask it.

    Tom
     
    #7 qbee42, Aug 7, 2010
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)