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Strange Whirring Noise

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Technical Discussion' started by 16suirp4, Oct 26, 2023.

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  1. 16suirp4

    16suirp4 Junior Member

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    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Hi! I need help diagnosing a very loud & strange whirring noise on my brand new, 2023, Prius Limited, with 450 miles. I suspect the hybrid motor since it only occurs when it is engaged.
    I took it to the dealership today, but they didn’t hear anything…really!!! It’s bad inside and really loud standing outside. I have a video, but I can’t get it uploaded !
    Thanks!
     
    #1 16suirp4, Oct 26, 2023
  2. PickyAudioGuy

    PickyAudioGuy New Member

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    Five
    I'll take a crack without the video... My wife noticed my Prius first time i drove her in it. As an engineer I recognized the sound as being normal for an EV car. Does the sound get kind of high pitched and hissing like? The EV part of the prius has pulse switched power controllers that make noise due to the high currents being applied to the motor in variable pulses. This controller take the couple-hundred Volt battery and converts it to a variable power source to control the motor when in gear. It will vary somewhat with how much load is on the EV motor. Hope that wasn't too technical.
     
    #2 PickyAudioGuy, Oct 27, 2023
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    are you sure it's not the pedestrian warning system?

    watch
     
    #3 bisco, Oct 27, 2023
  4. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    That is the normal EV sound that comes from the pedestrian-warning loudspeaker inside the front grill. It will be louder in reverse gear. If you don't hear it, there is something wrong. LOL
     
    #4 Gokhan, Oct 28, 2023
  5. jeremnyc

    jeremnyc Junior Member

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    Yes, in EV mode, you hear it. It's like a whirly white noise?
     
    #5 jeremnyc, Oct 28, 2023
  6. PickyAudioGuy

    PickyAudioGuy New Member

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    OMG... Can you disconnect that?
     
    #6 PickyAudioGuy, Oct 28, 2023
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you put your mind to it
     
    #7 bisco, Oct 29, 2023
  8. HacksawMark

    HacksawMark Active Member

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    XSE
    The sound turns off once you reach 23 mph.
     
    #8 HacksawMark, Oct 31, 2023
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