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Center divider rattle/buzzing

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by mediahound, Jan 26, 2014.

  1. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Has anyone successfully gotten a Toyota dealership to solve a buzzing/rattling center divider under warranty?

    Or, gotten it to stop by some method on your own?

    Thanks in advance for any info.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do you mean the console storage box/armrest lid?
     
  3. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    No, I mean the area just forward of that, the part the gear shifter is attached to.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ahh, the 'flying bridge'.:p can you press anywhere and make it stop?
     
  5. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Yes, pretty much anywhere I press or even lightly touch, it stops.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would take it to the dealer. but if that doesn't work, look up the electronic shifter install. the top of the bridge snaps off pretty easily and some felt in strategic areas that rub might be of help.
     
  7. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Thanks will do. But will the dealer actually be able to fix it? Or will they make it worse?...
     
  8. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I don't think it's just that piece that is making the noise. When I touch the side of the bridge is when it stops. Or push up or down on the entire bridge.
     
  9. soCalwinterGray

    soCalwinterGray Junior Member

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    this is happening to me as well.

    I emptied out everything from center console/ glove boxes/ doors to find out where the noise is coming from.

    I believe it is the center console piece around the gear shift.

    anyone have the same problem? or a solution?
     
  10. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I'm bringing mine in to the dealer on Saturday for this issue. Will be interesting to see if they can get it resolved.

    I've heard stuffing a cut up mouse pad or rubber in between the right (and possibly left) spaces can help. If the Toyota dealership can't fix the issue, this is what I will have to resort to doing.
     
  11. soCalwinterGray

    soCalwinterGray Junior Member

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    Please update after you take it to the Dealership. My first service appointment is coming up soon and I'd like to take care of it then if the dealer can fix it!

    Wonder if the CA lemon law will be of any assistance here if the dealer can't come up with a solution
     
  12. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Yep, I'll update on Saturday when I know more from the dealership.
     
  13. car compulsive

    car compulsive Active Member

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    I've had this noise since the car was new. The selling dealer said they'd need the car for a full day to tear apart the dash to try to find and cure the noise. However, more rattles may result from the repair process. I opted to live with the noise, as it's only really annoying in cold weather.
     
  14. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    You should bring it in under warranty (if it still is). The more people who do so, the more Toyota can realize the issue.

    Even if the dealer cannot fix it, it will be noted in your account.
     
  15. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I've noticed some rattles with my Prius. Which do seem to get worse in colder weather.
    I've applied the TUTR approach. That is I turn up the radio.

    Seriously, the Prius has a full plastic dash, and a plastic flying buttress, and it's a vehicle designed to be as lightweight as possible. I just expect some squeaks and rattles. Even with these squeaks and rattles, The Prius is one of the most quiet vehicles in operation I have ever owned.

    So far, none of them have been so bad to the point where I felt the I wanted to take the risk of having a 3rd party disassemble anything to "try" and fix it. I BARELY trust the dealership to do an oil change. The idea that they would carefully disassemble large portions of the dash or buttress area and then carefully apply a fix and reassemble without possibly making it much worse seems like a dangerous fiction to embrace.

    If anyone has any specific area's they discovered and specific remedies, I'd be interested in photos. I trust myself. But I'm not having anyone behind the scenes start taking apart my dash, unless I absolutely have to have it done.
     
    ny_rob likes this.
  16. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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  17. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I tend to agree with you. Maybe I should try the above first to see if it helps the issue.

    I have seen at least one post from someone who had their center bridge or maybe it was the center tray area replaced under warranty and that solved the rattling for them.
     
  18. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I'm just taking in to the dealer. If they make it worse, it will be on them.
     
  19. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    mediahound... I'm on your side here and it sucks that you have this issue, but you have to seriously consider that if past history predicts the future- they may make it worse. If that happens, what do you do then?
    I'd hate to have the dealer mechanics (with dirty cloths, hands, shoes) tear apart my brand new car interior with the hope that they put it back together correctly without breaking any clips, etc..
    Aside from the known fender clip TSB for early Gen III cars where the dealer removes the small front passenger side window, etc and that actually fixes that one particular issue- I can't recall any posts here where the dealer fixed dash noises permanently.

    I would try to fix it myself- then go the dealer route if that fails, again that's just my opinion formed by reading posts here for almost two years now.
     
  20. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Well I'm on your side as well.

    I suppose it would all hinge on how bad or disturbing the rattles and buzzing were, and mine admittedly aren't too bad. It would also hinge on how confident I felt in my dealership service department.

    My last vehicle was a compact Honda Fit. Great vehicle but NOT very quiet. So I also guess, as far as the bar of auditory quietness goes, perhaps mine is set low.

    Good Luck and I hope the dealership helps you. If they do? If you can get as much information about exactly what they disassemble and exactly what they did, it might help others avoid the dealership. So let us know how it goes.