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Continuing But Intermittent Beeping Noise

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by John_H, Jul 20, 2021.

  1. John_H

    John_H New Member

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    My 2010 Prius has suddenly begun an annoying beeping or chirping noise. It is not predictable as to when or for how long it will last. There is no commonality when it occurs, meaning that I might be cruising along - breaking - accelerating - braking - on a rough road, or not - you get the idea. It might beep for a full minute or it might only be 2 or 3 beeps. It's all unpredictable.
    The only consistency is that there are no warning lights indicating a known or definable problem. The only relief comes when I increase the volume on the radio.
    HELP!
     
    #1 John_H, Jul 20, 2021
  2. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Make sure the hatch is properly closed?
     
    #2 Rebound, Jul 22, 2021
    Grit likes this.
  3. John_H

    John_H New Member

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    Thank you for the suggestion. But yes the hatch has been closed all along and the hatch is opened and closed almost every day. This has been going on for weeks now.
     
    #3 John_H, Jul 22, 2021
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sounds like a loose/corroded connection. you'll have to start eliminating possible suspects one at a time. start with each door switch, then lock switches, then whatever else beeps. could be a difficult repair
     
    #4 bisco, Jul 24, 2021
  5. John_H

    John_H New Member

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    Wow. Sounds like it could take a couple of days to track down. But at least it isn't a warning that something is about to die/break/blow up.
    Do you think that anything that is on the dash as a warning light, like a "door ajar" warning light, would not be suspect since the warning light isn't lighting up? Or is that just wishful thinking?
    Thanks for the idea.
     
    #5 John_H, Jul 24, 2021
  6. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Maybe record it so we can guess at what makes those sounds. Then you can track down the faulty component.
     
    #6 Rebound, Jul 25, 2021
  7. John_H

    John_H New Member

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    Not real tech savvy, but I will give it a try to record it with a cell phone and upload it here.
     
    #7 John_H, Jul 25, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 25, 2021
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you might expect a flickering warning light, but idk how the system works, or if all the beeps cause lights to come on like the door ajar icon.
    the hatch switch is always suspect.
    and 12v connections, especially negative to ground, would have no light i think.
     
    #8 bisco, Jul 25, 2021
  9. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Worn brake pads? How many miles on it?
     
    #9 RRxing, Jul 25, 2021
  10. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    Any chance you have an aftermarket security system (i.e. KARR)? Usually a small button on lower left panel.
     
    #10 phoenixgreg, Jul 25, 2021
  11. John_H

    John_H New Member

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    All good suggestions to look for. Got nowhere with any of them. HOWEVER... i luckily have an overqualified and underpaid mechanic. I took the car to him this week for an oil change and i asked him about the issue.
    (Back story)
    I had been having a long learning curve with the built in GPS. I finally decided to try again later and stuck our old Garmin on the screen so that I could reach and see it easily. Worked like a charm for several months. Then one day the suction cup stopped suctioning and the unit fell. I stuck it back on the screen, but off by less than 1/4 inch from where it was before. Withing a few days the beeping started.
    (Enter Mel)
    I never put 2 and 2 together for the answer... Mel did. We took the Garmin off the screen and now we can listen to the radio at normal volume and, blessedly, without the beeping.
     
    #11 John_H, Aug 13, 2021
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