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buzzing sound with ac on

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Kevine64, Aug 15, 2013.

  1. Kevine64

    Kevine64 Junior Member

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    Normal to have a buzzing so7nd from the car while parked with the ac on? Its not terribly loud but can be heard inside the car with windows up.
     
    #1 Kevine64, Aug 15, 2013
  2. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Moved to the appropriate sub forum
     
    #2 Paradox, Aug 15, 2013
  3. Maroon

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    Yep, perfectly normal.
     
    #3 Maroon, Aug 15, 2013
  4. Kevine64

    Kevine64 Junior Member

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    Is it also normal to feel a light thunk when the ice kicks in??

    Im new to the hybrid cars and want to catch everything before my certified warranty ends lol.
     
    #4 Kevine64, Aug 15, 2013
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i don't know if either are normal, but mine does both!:p
     
    #5 bisco, Aug 15, 2013
  6. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    If something major goes wrong, it'll let you know right away.
     
    #6 rdgrimes, Aug 15, 2013
  7. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

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    It ain't right, but it is normal :p
     
    #7 Bill Norton, Aug 16, 2013
  8. kgall

    kgall Active Member

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    How loud is the buzzing? Loud enough that maybe it's a leaf or something caught in the system (had that a few times on an 80s Volvo)?
    Yeah, car air conditioners are fountains of odd little noises.
     
    #8 kgall, Aug 16, 2013
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    seems more like an electrical noise, i only notice it at a stop with ice off and hardly noticeable unless window is open.
     
    #9 bisco, Aug 16, 2013
  10. Kevine64

    Kevine64 Junior Member

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    Yea. Same here. Sounds more electrical. And its not too loud but can hear it with windows up. Can hear it very very well outside the car.

    I also hear a light squealing when breaking. Hoping thats normal too....
     
    #10 Kevine64, Aug 16, 2013
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    braking at any speed? forward and reverse? push hard on the pedal or gentle?
     
    #11 bisco, Aug 16, 2013
  12. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

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    It's the multi-speed electric air conditioning compressor.
    Run the AC, step outside the car when the engine is not running and you can hear it plainly.
    I have the remote AC button on my key fob.
    I hear it start and change speeds as I approach the car.

    It ain't right, but it is normal.

    Someday this will not be so noisy....

    The real light squeal noise is the inverter turning regen-braking forces into HV DC current to charge the battery.
    This will be muffled someday on future generations.
     
    #12 Bill Norton, Aug 16, 2013
  13. Kevine64

    Kevine64 Junior Member

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    Only hear it during light braking going forward. Probably normal but just wanted to make sure
     
    #13 Kevine64, Aug 17, 2013
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hard to say for sure, but probably regen activity. if you have time someday, go to a dealer and take a new one for a test drive. then you can hear for yourself what is 'normal'. there is also a section in the manual discussing hybrid sounds.
     
    #14 bisco, Aug 17, 2013
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