High-pitched noise after 5K service

First check the air cleaner. They may not have gotten the cover back on correctly. Then, if it were me and I couldn't find it myself I would take it back, it shouldn't be doing that.

I read most of the posts here and I don't remember this problem before. This is not a FAQ, let us know what you find.

 

First off, please update your profile with your year, package and location. All of this information can help us when answering your questions...thanks!



Sounds like the regular noise from the electric motors.

Maybe because it is warmer out, you have your window down more, helping you to hear it more?

When you say "gas engine not electric engine", how are you sure? They work together most of the time...thus you would hear that electric motor whine most of the time like I do.


I can always hear another Prius, as they all have this same high pitched whine.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aspectratio @ Jul 7 2006, 12:46 PM) [snapback]282672[/snapback]</div>

Don't you just love your car being the guinea pig.

 

I just purchased a 2004 Prius that appears to have this same high-pitched noise, primarily when accelerating (gas engine, not battery) but also when braking. I called the dealer and verified that the recall for the steering column had been done. I explained the noise to the service department, but they seemed clueless as to what it could be. Is there a way I could examine my steering column to see if my car is missing the parts as yours was after the recall service? Does anyone have any pictures of these parts or what the noise dampener looks like? My car has 36,500 miles on it so it just went out of warranty so I would rather not have to take it in unless I know the dealer will cover it. If the recall service was done improperly then they will likely cover the cost of fixing it, but I need some way to verify this before I take it in.
Where is the dealer that serviced your car? Maybe if I contact them they could help me verify if the service was done correctly?
Thanks.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aspectratio @ Jun 27 2006, 11:16 AM) [snapback]277393[/snapback]</div>

I didn't know there was a steering recall on the "06.

 

Some very early 06's where affected by the recall. I bought mine in February and I was not part of the recall.

 

Ooh, I never caught the beginning of this thread but now that I
see it, it explains a lot. The black cone thing must be that piece
that goes around the base of the steering column as it heads into
the floor, which has some white fiber padding lining the inside.
Likewise, there's a large black plastic pad on the back of the
transaxle / motor housing with similar white padding, on the inside
toward the motors. I always wondered about the latter, and now it's
pretty clear that together they're designed to muffle the sound of
screaming motor windings drifting into the cabin.
.
Okay, so clearly it's time to go take those things *off* once the
weather improves so I can actually hear the windings singing their
beautiful hundred-amp canto...
.
_H*

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Mar 7 2007, 10:18 PM) [snapback]401997[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for the description Hobbit. I confirmed the black cone does exist on my car just before the steering shaft goes through the firewall. Not sure about the underside since I can't very easily see the underside of the vehicle. Still not sure what the root cause is of the high-pitch noise when accelerating and braking and the engine is running. I'll keep looking.