1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Weird buzzing and soft whine when parked

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by asj2009, Oct 14, 2009.

  1. asj2009

    asj2009 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2009
    226
    58
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Here's a weird one that I searched for in the forums but could find nothing on.

    I parked the car, switched it off, and remained inside with the key, reading a book.

    After awhile I noticed a buzzing sound (kinda like a faroff lawnmower), followed by a soft whine. This repeats itself maybe every 30 sec to 1 minute. I went outside and the sound can be heard if you place your ear next to the vents near the front windshield (although from outside you can't seem to hear the small whine following).

    Has anyone else noticed this? What is it? The battery?
     
  2. asj2009

    asj2009 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2009
    226
    58
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I checked on the car again after 30 minutes leaving it alone, and this time no sounds as far as I can see. I'll do more tests. For example, leave the car alone until no sounds heard, then come back and stand close with the key.
     
  3. GeekEV

    GeekEV Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2006
    417
    14
    0
    Location:
    NorCal, USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It is normal for the car to make some sounds for a while after powering off. Various cooling fans, etc., are hard at work even after you stop. Plus, I noticed your package says you have the solar roof option (which I don't have), so it could be that kicking in and doing its job.
     
    1 person likes this.
  4. morpheusx

    morpheusx Professor Chaos

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2007
    1,555
    81
    0
    Location:
    Akron, OH
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    You are likely hearing the brake actuator
     
    1 person likes this.
  5. rachaelseven

    rachaelseven New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    616
    212
    0
    Location:
    Adams, MA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    She's just purring with contentment, enjoying you sitting in her lap :)
     
  6. pinzvidz

    pinzvidz Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    72
    15
    0
    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I'd say it's your interior fan (solar cooling) doing it's little thing. We've noticed it on the one we had in stock, if left sitting in the yard and unlocked, the fan will go through a cycle. Open the door and sit in the car. You'll hear it start off with a light electrical buzz, followed by sound of interior fan motor, then cuts out. Repeats cycle every 30 seconds or so.

    Next time you are in the same scenario, and you hear it, try pressing off your solar switch. It should stop immediately.
     
    1 person likes this.
  7. Benggolf

    Benggolf Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2009
    297
    53
    2
    Location:
    Richmond, BC, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    LMAO! That's a good one.

    By the way asj2009, do you have the solar panel on your Prius? The sound you are hearing could be the fan which brings in cooler outside air, ventilating the cabin close to the ambient outside temperature (OAT).
     
    1 person likes this.
  8. asj2009

    asj2009 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2009
    226
    58
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
  9. asj2009

    asj2009 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2009
    226
    58
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Oh man :D
     
  10. asj2009

    asj2009 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2009
    226
    58
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    About the solar...yes, I have the solar roof package...might be that, i'll have to test tomorrow...but it was fairly cold outside so i'm not sure that would be triggered...i'll test anyways.

    Anyone know where that fan is actually physically located?
     
  11. pinzvidz

    pinzvidz Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    72
    15
    0
    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It's the same fan that's used for HVAC.
     
  12. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,981
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    It's not the brake hydraulics. They make a much louder and shorter duration noise.

    It's either the solar powered fan or the evap. emission system venting. Often the valves in those systems will vibrate quietly. Pearl has done that for me, causing me to "hunt down" the cause. When I found it I just thought "Oh".

    Note that if you stay with the car for hours on end it will continue to make odd noises, as various systems prepare for the next start (If your FOB is in range) or prepare for a long nap.
     
  13. Bobsprius

    Bobsprius BobPrius

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2009
    679
    80
    0
    Location:
    Buffalo
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I think all the sounds are the normal hybrid sounds defined. I turn off my car and am not in FOB range of my vehicle, but will hear a few sounds about 30-50 seconds after the car is exited from the rear hatch area. I suspect this is something with the battery. I also hear a brake actuator pump when I open the door handle to get in at startup.

    There are several noises, click sounds, and buzzes....it's all part of the normal operation of the Hybrid Components if I recall correctly.

    The car is running quite well and only 1300 miles now and no issues that I can see with it. So I am just getting used to the "sounds" I rather call them....but I don't think you have anything to fear from them...;)
     
  14. Tad Moody

    Tad Moody New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2009
    35
    4
    0
    Location:
    Duarte, CA, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Mine ( 2010 II ) makes all sorts of noises, buzzes, whirring sounds, while parked, running, off, while opening the door, after closing the door, and some of the noises "particular to a hybrid" as demonstrated on a DVD I received when I purchased it.

    Some noises sound a little like C3PO's servos when he moves or walks!
     
  15. asj2009

    asj2009 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2009
    226
    58
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    geeez...i didn't buy a car...i bought a robot :D
     
  16. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,981
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Yup, and it's smarter than I, and probably you too. ;)

    -Normal- events are "why doesn't the car go (or stop, or be quiet, or whatever)?
    Oh, because it's my mistake to try to do (whatever it was I was trying to do).

    :)
     
  17. asj2009

    asj2009 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2009
    226
    58
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
  18. Salsawonder

    Salsawonder New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2005
    1,897
    47
    0
    Location:
    La Mesa California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV

    Remember you are actually driving a computer on wheels!! It takes a while to get use to things like the noises, brakes, easy steering, short and infrequent stops at the gas station. Then all of a sudden you will not hardly remember a time when you did not drive a Prius :cheer2:
     
  19. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,074
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    "Danger, Danger!" flaps dryer vent arms...

    Tom
     
  20. Tad Moody

    Tad Moody New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2009
    35
    4
    0
    Location:
    Duarte, CA, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    LOL

    "Sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I cannot stop accelerating right now: This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it."