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Clicking Sound on Regen Braking

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Notquiterite, Feb 17, 2017.

  1. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    So I never noticed this sound before, until a couple of weeks ago. Once in a while, when I slow down to a stop from about 15-0 mph, it would make a clicking sound until the car stops. This would happen more when the ICE is warmed up, and only when the car is using the regen braking. I tried putting it in neutral to see if the sound was still there when I was using the mechanical brakes and it did not have any sounds. I searched and saw a few people having other clicking sounds but it's not quite what I am experiencing. I took it to the dealer before and tried to address it but they said it was normal. I believed them at the time but I kept thinking about it and I don't remember that sound being there when I first got the car. Also, the sound isn't always there 100% of the time, it's more intermittent. Anyone have any idea what it could be?

    Thanks,
    Simon
     
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Is it just one click - or a series of click, click, click etc? There is an almost indiscernible single sound, only sometimes, I've always assumed was when the mechanical brakes are taking over or adding to the REGEN braking. During braking, quite a lot is happening.
     
  3. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    It's a series of click click click. Sometimes when I have the window down and drive down an alleyway at low speeds and slightly brake, the sound echoes and is more discernible. When the windows are up and radio is off, the sound is loud enough so that I can notice inside the cabin as well.
     
  4. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    No, that doesn't sound like the sound I've heard - have you taken the dealer's mechanic for a drive to listen?

    Mind you, I think I've only driven with the window down a couple of times, and only briefly while the car was cooling down.
     
  5. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    I have had the mechanic sit with me regarding another concern, but not this one in particular. I will have to give them a call tomorrow and see if I can schedule a time for me to come in and have them come on a drive with me. Every time I drive my car, it always worries me when I hear that clicking sound.
     
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  6. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    Finally, glad I noticed your thread, as I am having the same issue and says it is normal for a Prius to make this noise. I started noticing this around 6k and seems to be more pronounced now around 12k and doesn't matter if I am turning or whatever.

    Just to describe this noise to others, coming from 30 MPH to 0 MPH there is a clicking noise which varies with speed It is a very fast clicking noise that slows to single clicks down to 3 MPH or so until hitting zero. It does not happen when in Neutral. It is hard to notice with the radio on.

    I had the dealer look into this and said it doesn't make any noise thats unusual and then the service manager went with me and said he had a dozen or so others that report this and that its normal. I don't seem to recognize the noise until after the 5K service and thought maybe it was the wheels not tightened properly but he says its part of the new regen system.
     
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  7. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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  8. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    Yes, this is exactly what my car sounds like and I'm glad I found someone else that is experiencing the same thing. I'm scheduled tomorrow to go on a ride with a tech. However, driving today, I noticed the sound is less noticeable. It's definitely still there, but is not as loud as it was last week. I'm worried that when I drive with them tomorrow, that they won't be able to hear the sound. Have you tried bringing them on a ride with you? I left the car with them to do themselves last time but of course they said they said it was normal and I have a feeling they couldn't replicate the sound.

    It's hard for me to think it's normal when I didn't notice this sound there when I first got the car, nor do I hear it on any other 4th gens slowing down when I'm standing on the street. I'm at almost 30k miles and I would think if this was something normal, I would have heard it a long time ago, and also I would expect it to happen every time I slow down and also the same loudness, not intermittently.
     
  9. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    When you take them on a test drive, be sure the car is warmed up so regen will work properly and battery is partially used so friction brakes are not kicking in. I agree, I swear mine didn't make this noise when I first got it and since I first started noticing it, it is annoying. It doesn't make the noise in neutral and on the older gens, some made note that it makes it expecially when turning right or after a slight right, but mine does it all of the time now (12k). Please come back and post your findings once you hear something. I am planning on taking my car in to another dealership to confirm the noise is normal.
     
  10. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    Yes I know for sure the sound is more apparent when the car is warmed up so I'll have to go for a bit of a drive before I stop in the dealership. It really annoys me too as I'm always questioning if there's something wrong with my car. I'll definitely come back and report what I get from the dealer. It happens in my car regardless of my steering position and only when it's regen as well. If you happen to go to a different dealership, please report back too.
     
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  11. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    So I just went on a drive with a tech and he was able to hear the sound I was pointing out and he says I'll need to leave my car there for them to figure out what's going on. He says the car is too new to know exactly what it is but will let me know as soon as they find out what it is.
     
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  12. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    Thanks and give us an update when they get back to you. Hopefully they gave you something decent to drive today.
     
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  13. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    Unfortunately, they don't give out loaners at this dealership. They shuttled me home :( I have to borrow my brother's 3rd gen at home to go to work later. I hope they find out what's going on and don't just tell me nothing is wrong and give it back with no explanation.
     
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  14. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Get onto Toyota USA and tell them. The dealer shouldn't leave you called like that.
     
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  15. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Here - it's normal for the dealer to NOT SUPPLY a replacement car when yours is being repaired. The only exception is FORD.
     
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  16. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    If your car is indeed being repaired, I see no way the dealer could get out of providing a loaner in the USA. However, if you take your car in for an investigation of an issue under warranty and they are repairing the issue that will take overnight to repair, then a loaner should be provided. (In my own personal opinion). Any update from the dealer yet on what they found out about the clicking noise on regen?
     
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  17. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Point out that in the ToyotaCare document, they state you are entitled to a loaner if they need to keep your vehicle for more than a day.
    If my vehicle requires a warranty repair, will Toyota provide me with a loaner vehicle?
    As part of our ongoing commitment to our customers, you are eligible for transportation assistance [1] under the Transportation Assistance Policy, if your vehicle [2] must be kept overnight for warranty-covered repairs for any of the following reasons:

    • The warranty repairs will take longer than one day to complete [3].
    • The warranty condition requires extensive diagnosis.
    • The parts needed for the warranty repairs are not readily available and your vehicle is inoperative or unsafe to drive.
    See If my vehicle requires a warranty repair, will Toyota provide me with a loaner vehicle?
     
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  18. Notquiterite

    Notquiterite Junior Member

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    I was waiting to hear an official report. Since yesterday, they spent more time driving the car around to figure out where the noise was coming from. They said they swapped the wheel bearings in the front and also tried switching the brake components to see if there was any change (even though I told them it only happened during regen braking). They decided that they would try to change the front axle as they said other vehicles that gave similar symptoms had the same problem and replacing the axle fixed the issue. I then asked them, if it was the axle, wouldn't the sound always be there regardless of braking? They said that during braking is when the axle is put under the most stress and can cause it to click like that, so they will try replacing it. The part is on order and won't be in until tomorrow for replacement. My only concern with this is that if it truly is the axle, and only makes that sound during braking, then I believe it should have the same sound even with the mechanical brakes being used and not the regen...

    Anyway, they said they will replace it and see if the issue goes away.

    They actually just called me today and allowed me to get a rental car through enterprise. They apparently don't have loaner vehicles through toyota or the dealership. I just came back with a dodge dart, I'm already missing my prius :(
     
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  19. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I hope Toyota is paying for the Dodge Dart rental.
     
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  20. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    Well in 3rd generation Prius's the same issue happened and there was a TSB for replacing the AXLE when this same condition happens. I know some had wheel bearings replaced with no luck.

    Well I looked on this forum and couldn't find it but think the TSB is here for the 2010 - 2015: Weird ticking sound, please help *video* | PriusChat
     
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