Brake Booster Accumulator Actuator issue?

It's my first post and the problem I'm having with my 2009 Prius could result in a very costly repair (like $4500). I bought my Prius new (May 2009) and now it has 96,000 miles. No previous issues until recently. Of course, my 10 year warranty has ended. This summer I noticed more of the buzzing noise - you know the one that we are supposed to ignore? The one that once was considered something not to worry about? Well now the buzzing is constant (and often accompanied by a thumping noise when I park). The buzzing continues for quite a long time when my car is off - like 20 or 30 minutes. When I start driving, the buzzing comes on very soon and it lasts for a few seconds, then it stops, and then comes back on and this pattern repeats over and over every 5 to 8 seconds while I am driving. I don't know where the "thumping" sound is coming from when I park the car but I'm guessing it's associated with my brakes. And the brakes "bark" like crazy if I push the brake pedal hard. I've learned not to push the brake pedal hard. Last night I researched these symptoms and found the very well discussed topic of the "brake booster/accumulator/actuator" that has a tendency to go bad. Something about a diaphragm and loss of pressure, ultimately leading to front brake failure and 3 warning lights appear when it fails. Oh, and that is a very costly fix for those vehicles not under the 10 year/150,000 mile warranty (whichever comes first). So, here I am. There is no code. The symptoms are real and there is nothing normal about them. I can't ignore this. Today I swung in the dealership where I bought it. The service manager (familiar with this problem) says, "Yes those symptoms sound like the brake booster going bad. That repair is $4500 here, and, no, Toyota isn't going to budge on this one since you are out of warranty. So, just wait until the car throws the code and we will deal with it accordingly." The value of my Prius is barely more than the cost to fix this issue if it really is the "brake booster/accumulator/actuator." I can't upload an audio of the sound (any suggestions?). But for those who have heard that buzzing from their own car or from other posts on the same subject, it's the same sound. My big hope is that someone will tell me that new constantly and repeating buzzing can be a symptom of something else and not to worry until I see a check engine light for the code that identifies a problem. Any thoughts?

 

Thank you for your response, I really appreciate it!

 

@vvillovv - thank you so much for your response and posting the video. The noise in the video is exactly the noise my car makes over and over, every 5 to 8 seconds while I am driving, and it continues after I turn off the car. I don't know what to do next. I don't have a mechanic here in Orlando and I don't want to use the dealership due to their cost. My car hasn't thrown the code or had any problems braking. The brakes bark like crazy if I push down the pedal. The car stops fine and won't move forward while in "drive" mode when I hold the brakes down without pushing hard. I guess I can use google to find someone who works on hybrids. I can also ask @jerrymildred if he can give me the contact for Tampa, maybe they know someone in Orlando? Thank you again for your help!

 

Thanks again for continuing to try and help me figure this out. I did bring it to AutoZone for a scan just recently. The only codes that show are the same ones I've had for over 6 years (P1121 and P1116 - related to the coolant control valve - to let coolant flow through the heater core - never caused a problem - even on a long road trip - the value sticks, the code comes and goes). The service manager at Toyota said to wait until it throws the code. In the meantime, I know something isn't right and I want to fix it but not at the dealership. I see the post for contacting the repair shop in Tampa. I will definitely reach out to them!

 

Thank you so much @jerrymildred, I really appreciate your post. I will give Todd a call.

 

@jerrymildred and @vvillovv - thanks again for your help. I have an appointment with Todd's place to get this fixed.

 

I will. Todd convinced me my Prius with only 96,000 miles still has a lot of life left in it. I just need to bite the bullet and fix this problem. The only other expensive item in my future will be the $2400 battery. Considering I've had little to no issues with my Prius since I bought it new in 2009, I guess I'll keep it and resist the urge to get a new car!

 

Ha, that sounds exactly like something I would do, too! I plan to keep my car a long time. Material things like "new cars" are not terribly important to me. Not sure I would do the install of a new battery myself unless it's as easy as installing a regular battery, but I'll research that task if needed! Todd said when just one cell of the umteen (I forget how many) cells goes bad, the whole battery is bad and there is no warning really. But the new battery life is about 12 to 15 years. Mine is 12 years old this year. Hopefully my old battery will last me a few more years to offset the upcoming cost for my new brake booster/accumulator/actuator assembly. Even so, after those two repairs, my car could last a long, long time. He mentioned a Prius he knows that has 500,000 miles!

 

@jerrymildred @vvillovv So, I had just made my appointment with Todd for next week (driving the 2 hrs from Orlando to Tampa), but GUESS WHAT HAPPENED TONIGHT? Yep! The brake booster failed!! Why couldn't it have waited one more week? I don't think I can drive it two hours from Orlando to Tampa for the repair, it was a harrowing 20 minutes just to get home. At times, I had only my rear brakes (slower to react). And the "brake" warning light pops on and gives a long solid beep every minute or so. Ugh. Either I tow it to Todd or find a local repair place. I refuse to go to the dealer! They want $4,500.

 

@dolj - I don't know anyone but I'm going to find a way to get it to Tampa, unless I can find a reputable hybrid repair place in Orlando!

 

@vvillovv, thank you, Dynasty was the only one I found last night during my search for a repair shop that seems to specialize in hybrids. I am going to pick their brain a bit to see how much they actually know about this repair. If they fail the test, I'll start looking for a way to transport my Prius to Todd's place in Tampa. I'll keep y'all posted!