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Random fast clicking noise in dash

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Davidg, Sep 17, 2021.

  1. Davidg

    Davidg Junior Member

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    Hello All,

    My '07 230K Prius has this random rapid clicking noise that sounds to me to be coming from the dash just behind the wheel. It is not something that happens every time I drive it or happens in any sort of pattern that I can discern.

    It will happen sometimes almost immediately after starting the car up or after driving several miles. It will happen whether sitting at light, in the driveway or driving. It happens whether the A/C is on or off. And sometimes, blissfully, not at all.

    Any thoughts as to where I should start in troubleshooting this? Particular codes to look for? It is quite annoying and I would love to get it to stop.

    Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    This thread has a webm video you can download and listen to, to see if it sounds like that.
     
  3. Davidg

    Davidg Junior Member

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    My clicking has different sound than that and is much more rapid. I'm trying to think of something that it is similar to, maybe the sound of a ratchet wrench. But, I saw reference to a solenoid and in my mind, I would equate what I'm hearing to what I'd expect to hear from a solenoid. I'll see if I can get a recording of it somehow, but it often happens while driving.

    Thanks for posting that.
     
  4. InkaRds

    InkaRds Junior Member

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    Good morning Davidg does this sounds like your noise, I owned a Gen 2, 2006 Prius, with about170K miles and still all original other than a couple of cells changed in the hybrid battery and the 12V battery. When I first bought the car (used) I had to get used to all the sounds coming out of it, since day one I noticed a particular sound like a gear motor engaging, the sound will go for a couple of seconds 2 or 3 then stop for another 3 or 4 seconds and make the sound again, like so for a few more seconds and then stop, well in the last week I started to hear the sound but with me being inside and driving the car, so still with the engine running lifted the hood and I can hear the sound coming from underneath of the Inverter/Converter and then there is another sound that I could not hear from the inside as the most audible sound starts a second delayed the second sound starts and it sounds like when a vent is opening and closing, however, the second sound seems to come from the gas engine side (left) rather than from the Inverter/converter. Has anybody had the same increase in the volume of the sound or that sound at all?
     
  5. Davidg

    Davidg Junior Member

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    Good afternoon InkaRds,

    Honestly, I'm not sure how to describe my sound, but I have not checked under the hood when I hear it as it mostly happens when out driving.

    I pulled the codes on it and there were three in the A/C heading: B1421 Solar Sensor Circuit (Passenger Side), B1433 Air Outlet Damper Position Sensor Circuit and B1433 Air Outlet Damper Control Servomotor Circuit. Is there any way that the sound could be related to these codes?
     
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Air outlet damper issues can sound a bit like a mouse scampering around under the dash; the thread up in #2 has more on that.

    I know you said yours sounds different, but then you've got those codes there....

    Don't worry about the B1421, that just means there wasn't strong light shining on the solar sensor when you read the codes. (It's only a problem if you know there was strong light shining on it at the time.)
     
  7. Davidg

    Davidg Junior Member

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    I'm still hoping to capture a video of it when it is happening, but hasn't done it recently. It makes sense that the codes could be related, but would it still make the noises if the A/C system is shut off?
     
  8. Davidg

    Davidg Junior Member

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    I was able to capture a video of the sound when the A/C was off. If this is related to an A/C component, why would that be causing the sound when the A/C system is shut off?
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that is a very odd sound, like the parking brake. i suppose it could be a stuck vent door.
    when you change vent directions, does the air come out in the intended area?
    if you open the hood, does the sound still seem like the same place? put your head in the drivers footwell?
     
  10. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    Does the mode control for the A/C system work correctly in all positions? Defrost, heat, panel-vent, and in between? Does it take more time to reach any one position than another?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  11. Toy Yoder

    Toy Yoder Junior Member

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    My 2009 Prius started making a rapid clicking noise in the dash. It originally sounded like it was coming from the lower AC blend door actuator. After unplugging the lower actuator I discovered the clicking noise is coming from the upper Mode door actuator/ servo.

    I just replaced the combination meter last year. Now I have the dash back out to get to the AC Mode actuator. There is a sensor above the traction control sensor that has to be removed along with the traction control module just to access the AC Mode actuator.

    The traction control module needs to be removed to access the upper screw on the lower AC blend door actuator. It almost looks like you can move the traction control module to access the top screw on the lower servo / actuator, but good luck. You’ll wind up removing the dash to move the traction control module.

    There is a thread where one guy replaces the lower blend door actuator and leaves out the upper screw. The screw that’s almost impossible to remove or install without moving the traction control module.

    I now have the dash and AC distribution ducts removed, and the traction control module moved over just to get the AC mode actuator out!

    I know why Toyota charges a arm and leg to replace the Prius AC actuators.
     
  12. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    For the lower actuator, the one for the mix door, yitznewton found an easy way with a special tool.

    I don't know that anyone's found an easy way for the upper one.