Very faint clicks at stop from brake actuator

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by howardc64, May 6, 2026.

  1. howardc64

    howardc64 Member

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    Yes, probably means Apply, I just automatically thought it was Accumulator since its pressure source :)

    Definitely make sense :)

    Thanks
     
  2. howardc64

    howardc64 Member

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    Update:

    Actuator + Accumulator/Pump came in, installed and bled. Car brakes perfect.
    • Pump comes on a lot less frequent and much shorter duration.
    • No more clicks : faint one and the louder one felt on entire length of all 4 brake lines.
    Will separately post all the challenges on install and cheap MVCI techstream setup.
     
  3. howardc64

    howardc64 Member

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    Follow up with a graph of working actuator behavior after replacement.

    Car in IG-ON mode (press power button 2x without foot on brake) Followed by foot on brake. Compare with failed actuator/accumulator in post #18

    Screenshot 2026-07-05 195032.png

    Note the following
    • SLR is 0A entire time. Seem to make sense, no need to release any pressure feeding the downstream ABS.
    • SLA does pulse every 3-4s gradually extending this time. Probably just feedback loop to converge on target pressure.
    • All other solenoids are steady.
    Compared with failed part, very different picture (SLR going crazy)

    Accumulator + pump
    • Runs much shorter period in all scenarios. Opening door (after a couple of hours) only produce 1-2s of pump run time. With the internally leaking actuator/accumulator combo, it would run 5-10s after opening the door.
    • The pump also seems to run less frequent. Accumulator sensor (pressure sensor voltage) shows a much slower drop (seems both using and not pressing brakes, didn't study carefully) indicating no more internal pressure leak somewhere in the circuit.
     
    #23 howardc64, Jul 5, 2026 at 11:11 PM
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2026 at 9:55 AM
    CR94 and Brian1954 like this.
  4. howardc64

    howardc64 Member

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    Actuator Repair

    Was curious why no one repairs these failed units (Simpler ABS units usually have mail in order repair services). Searched and found secondary used Prius markets where labor is cheap (Pakistan, India, I also heard Mongolia is a huge 2nd hand Prius market imported from Japan) and they do have repair services for these.

    Here is a video (several exist) that shows how to remove the electronics and coil side of the actuator (on 1 board) and presumably send it in for repair.



    Removed mine and looks like this

    IMG_1030.jpeg IMG_1031.jpeg IMG_1032.jpeg

    If this is the common failure, then its not the mechanical hydraulic channels and actuator valves that fail. Rather, its the electromagnetic side of the actuator and/or various electronics stages. On/off solenoids probably have relays and linear solenoids probably have power transistor/switches and PWM pulsed for desired current (and resulting position) level. All are possible failure points handling higher voltage, current, and heat.

    To remove the board from that assembly require desoldering a lot of header/connector solder junctions. Will post back after getting that done with a friend's Hakko desoldering tool :)

    Accumulator Pump Repair

    Also saw a few videos on these and also from secondary used Prius markets. Failure is the motor bearing. Coincidentally my new accumulator motor is quieter than the one removed. Presumably original 150k mile one with lots of brake use has some rotor shaft bearing wear.
     
    #24 howardc64, Jul 7, 2026 at 1:58 AM
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2026 at 2:03 AM
  5. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Looks like you just came up with a new business!
    When you gonna start your business?