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2010 Battery Fan Differences?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by LlamaJockey, Apr 6, 2016.

  1. LlamaJockey

    LlamaJockey Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2010
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    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Hey all!

    So, unfortunately, me and my wife were in a wreck a few weeks ago that totaled our car and left us pretty beat up. My faithful 2007 base Prius with 120k miles held up admirably after getting smacked on the passenger side while traveling 70 mph, but went to Prius Heaven as it slowed to a stop.
    The best price/value for a new Prius we found was a used 2010 V with 80k miles in excellent condition.
    So far it has been running great (man, coming from a 2007, I think I love power mode a little too much), but I noticed yesterday the HV battery fan is more prevalent in this one than my 2007. In my 2007, when it ran, you could certainly hear it! But it didn't run very often.
    In this, the fan is quieter and sounds more like a wind/less like a blowdryer, but the intensity seems to match my speed...

    Today on the way home, I started hearing it again and I let my foot off the gas. I coasted for a while with no accelerator at all, and still heard the fan. As I slowed from having no acceleration, the fan also got quieter.
    It's been about 70-80 F today and sunny. I do run the AC and keep it around 72-74 inside.
    Even on city roads going anywhere from 30-45 mph, the sound would be proportionate to my velocity, and would go completely inaudible immediately after stopping. or reaching about 20 mph. It's not LOUD, but it's definitely noticeable!

    I searched the forums and saw a few similar threads to this, but most were old and/or inconclusive.
    Soon I will bring it into a Toyota dealer to give it a general checkup by an 'official' Toyota tech, but, does anyone have any insight into whether or not this is normal for the Gen III?
    Would a dealer be able to tell if the traction battery was starting to die? Or would it have to be closer to death?

    The car was very clean, but I suppose checking the fan for hair/dust would be the logical next step.
     
  2. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Three
    That is the first thing I would suggest. It is possible that the fan is plugged up. Best of luck to you.
     
  3. Cory151

    Cory151 Member

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    Check the fan but it could be a wheel bearing as well.
     
  4. liquidtenmillion

    liquidtenmillion Active Member

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    I have a 2015 Prius Three. My fan is also active most of the time I drive if the outside temperature is 70+ fahrenheit. It's noise level also varies depending on my speed. Faster speed equals more noise, if I press the brakes as the speed decreases so does the fan. It is definitely the fan, I have verified it using my OBD reader. It's not loud, but if I don't have my radio turned on I can hear it near the vent. It will also shut completely off when it reaches a low enough temperature.
     
  5. LlamaJockey

    LlamaJockey Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Good to know. Sometime this week, I'm going to be taking it in to the dealer for a general check-up. I'll have them pay attention to the Hybrid system and see if anything pulls up.
    To be honest, I almost wish it is the battery, or something like that before it hits 100k. Getting that replaced would make me feel a lot more secure about this car for the long term!
    Any chance of an overactive fan being related to an inverter assembly issue, like that recall was dealing with? According to my Toyota record, the software was updated only shortly before I got the car. Other than complete failure, I don't know what the early signs are (if any)