Problem

Last year, my car started making whirring noises behind the mileage display. The noise is intermittent and sounds like a fast spinning disk with friction. The noise only occurs upon cold starts and is only evident upon start up. Once the car warms after about 30 seconds, the noise terminates. While the noise is occurring, I can feel vibration when my hand is place on the display.

So far, they've replaced the brake actuator twice - once last winter and again just this month. They suspected the first brake actuator that they replaced was defective. Then they replaced the radio and just today they've replaced a resistor. I just went out to start it up and see what happens and the car is still defective. It doesn't matter to me that this car still runs as this noise is atypical and it's obvious to me that there is a defective part that will probably cause me problems later.

Questions:

• What do you folks recommend?
• Do any of you have any knowledge of what could be wrong with this car?
• Are any of you able to recommend a dealership in the Chicago area that houses a very knowledgeable Prius technician?
• Anyone want to trade cars w/ me?

Frustration has ensued. Any suggestions would be more than appreciated. I've just e mailed Toyota Corp. to see what they may add for my benefit.

 

Galaxee, Whenever I start the car, and the noise occurs, the ICE is running. I cannot hear the noise from outside the car, but don't know if it would be audible if the ICE weren't running.

Thanks, Donee. Since the noise certainly seems like it's coming from some kind of a motor, it does seem that your one scenario may be possible. I'll ask them if they've checked out all of your suggestions.

I feel a little better as I called my dealership yesterday and I'm bringing the car back there on Wed night and leaving it there until it's fixed (now will I ever get the car back?!?!?!). They're giving me a loaner until they fix this thing. The one thing I heard that made me confident they'd get to the root of this problem is that they said they'd get California involved if they cannot locate the issue. If I find out what this is, I'll post back in case someone else encounters this problem.

Thanks, guys.

 

OK. I'm bringing my car in on the 4th of February, again. What is this, the sixth or seventh time now? I completely lost count. Anyhoo, they've called to schedule this appointment as the case manager will be in on this day. He'll be working w/ the engineers in California (if he's unable to diagnose the problem) and will hopefully be able to fix it this go around. I'm not hopeful, unfortunately.

Now that the temps are around 1 degree, the noise takes a while to reveal itself. When near freezing, the noise will start at power up. Now with these real low temps, I power up and start driving and the noise doesn't occur until about 30 seconds into my trip. I'll advise them of this and see if that helps them diagnose the problem any better.

All I can do is hope for extreme cold that day..........

 

Not of which I'm aware. Something else to inquire about....

 

Richard,

I must've been posting when you posted 'cause I just saw your post. The noise does sometimes occur after I shut the car off. And yes, I'm still taking it to the same dealer. I contemplated going to a different dealer but after all the time I've vested with my current dealer, I'm just going to let them try to figure this out. If I had to go through the same crap of ensuring appropriate temperatures and making sure that I'm there to ensure that the new tech hears the correct noise, I'd go nuts.

I am now in a Ford Focus that they gave me as a rental and they must be as sick of seeing me as I am of them as they told me I'm not getting my car back until they can figure this out. The case manager was in yesterday to assist but not much progress has been made as I still don't have my car back. The tech called yesterday to say that they're nearly certain this problem has to do with the brake actuator.

*If* I get my car back and *if* they figure this out, I'll post. I'm seriously considering the extended warranty due to this experience.

 

They think they fixed it. They suspected air in the coolant system that cools the inverter. So they bled the system as all indications were that this was the problem. As of this morning, they said it's not making the noise. They're keeping it through the day to power it up again later and ensure they've fixed it.

Does this make sense to you? I've been conditioned to be doubtful.

 

I'm so excited. The tech called and said he had the dash apart all day. The car made the noise again. Turns out I was right. The touch display is what's making the noise. He said he had it in his hands and could feel the vibration. Further, he put his ear against it and could hear the noise coming from the unit.

When I kept insisting that this is where the noise was coming from, he discounted this as he said there is nothing in this unit that would make a noise like what we hear.

Now he's trying to find out when he could get this part in to replace it. He's 99.999999999% sure we've got it this time!

 

The tech just called back and said he's now 100% sure the problem is within the display. When he disconnected power to the unit, the noise ceased. He ordered the part and I'm picking up my car on Friday. That is if the storm doesn't delay delivery of the part to the dealership.

I'm just happy they've diagnosed the problem and I no longer have to be inconvenienced. This has been going on for two years!

 

Ha ha. They're not sure either and think it's weird. To better understand, they have a call into the tech line (I think it's the part manufacturer's tech line). So I don't yet know either.

Just glad to be done with this. I'm even more glad I had a dealer that was willing to go through this for two years and have the persistence to stick to this. It was truly a pain in the arse.

I won't know if it's truly fixed until the weekend when I get the car back. But based on my experience with the noise, it sure seems they've pinpointed the problem.

This entire thread was more of an emotional purging for me, as one may very well be able to tell from the limited responses and my continual posting.

 

Service Manager called - they replaced the display by Fujitsu and they swear it's fixed. I'm picking up my vehicle tonight. More future emotional purging to follow if the noise continues to persist.

I inquired with the Service Manager about what was making the noise/vibration and he's unclear. If I get a chance to talk with the Tech, Jason, I'll post back as it appears that inquiring minds want to know.

 

I was considering bagels and cream cheese. But since DH was once a tech, I best take your advise on the offering.

Bearing gifts must be a girl thing. My husband thinks I'm nuts.....you know - it's their job, they're supposed to work to fix the problem until resolved, etc. I've always thought positive reinforcement to be the most effective.