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What was this crazy Noise?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Kronos316, Nov 13, 2013.

  1. Kronos316

    Kronos316 Junior Member

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    Hey guys, I had the weirdest noise in my prius this morning when I started it. This was the first REALLY cold morning so far ( 24) and Ive had the car a few months now, new to me 2010. When I started it, it went clunk clunk clunk like something was spinning in the gear box and hitting something as it came around, possibly from generator box too. Car was in park when this happend and during the initial startup. Then it quickly got less and went away within about 20 secs. This wasn't some light sound either, pretty loud and If I would have got under the hood fast enough I could have tracked it down maybe. Also on a side note the previous day I got a weird yellow light on for no reason under heavy acceleration. It was the yellow light with 4 tires in it showing sliding, I assume its a light for traction control issues?? Anyway it was on for about a min then went out. Dry road no sliding of any kind. I continued to drive the car 140 miles today without an issue.
    Any thoughts? Thanks in advance,
    Matthew
     
  2. car compulsive

    car compulsive Active Member

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    Check threads in the Gen III general discussion about banging noises at startup. Mine does that if I didn't let it fully warm up the last time I started the engine. (Like moving the car around the driveway.)

    Be sure you check the tire pressure with the colder temperatures. Resting, cold tire pressure will be lower and can trigger the TPMS light. The light may go out after driving a bit warms up the tires (and air inside them).
     
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  3. Codyroo

    Codyroo Senior Member

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  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Like this?

     
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  5. ftl

    ftl Explicator

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    Does it sound anything like this?

     
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  6. Kronos316

    Kronos316 Junior Member

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    Thanks Foto, It sounded alot like how that car got in the 10-12 sec range, It was a rough ugly sound that could be felt in the whole car. its the type of sound that would be expected if a connecting rod cap came off..lol
    Also I read some of the similar issues you posted Cody (thank you guys) it sounds like nothing to be worried about as it happens alot in the cold when the car was started then didnt fully warm. I think that might have hapend inadvertently due to the misses. I will report it to toyota and see If I can get then to do the fix for it.
     
  7. Codyroo

    Codyroo Senior Member

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    It absolutely sounds awful (to that I would definitely agree), but it appears to be a very infrequent thing, and so far, there haven't been any short or long term issues that have come from it. Just another "quirk" with the car.

    I wonder if Corolla owners experience this?
     
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  8. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Welcome to the knock club! You are member #2,678. :)
     
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  9. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    We have an '11 Rolla with the same engine (- the modified cycle) and it has never done this.
     
  10. deltanh

    deltanh Junior Member

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    Just experienced this last night under similar conditions. It had happened last year but only for a few seconds, not as loud, and never a DTC. This time the engine light did come on. Just got back from the dealer and wanted to pass the information along:

    DTC - P0302
    Related TSB-001-12 Rev 1

    Service writer said that the Intake Manifold gasket needed to be replaced. I asked for a copy of the work order and it said to replace intake manifold P\N-17120-37054 and 25634-37010 per TSB-0010-12 Rev1.

    Hopefully the different TSBs are a typo. The parts are on order. The estimated repair time is under 2 hours; all covered by warranty. Hope this fixes it.
     
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  11. Tande

    Tande Active Member

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    LOL! ......:ROFLMAO:
     
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  12. deltanh

    deltanh Junior Member

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    Or another way of looking at it, I now officially have 1/3 of a lemon.
     
  13. Kronos316

    Kronos316 Junior Member

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    Thanks Tande, Ill print and use that when I go in. Still haven't had time.
     
  14. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    I had this clanking noise too at some point last year. It was the first time I've ever heard it and never since then. These cars are sometimes weird, that's for sure. Never had any problems after that though, so far.