After opening door ABS actuator fires up then a cycle of clicking from the rear

Hey all,

New to the Prius life, looking for a sanity check on my 2005. This noise may be perfectly normal, no codes or anything and the vehicle drives well... After opening the driver's door, I hear the ABS actuator pressurizing (whirring) but then a round of clicks from the rear, seems like it might be coming from the HV battery area (or maybe rear brakes?) This cycle seems to repeat every minute around 3-4 times. Here's a video I recorded of the noise, it sounds a lot more clickety in person.

The ABS actuator was replaced at a Toyota dealership a couple years ago, so I hope that's not the cause... I've searched through these forums and I haven't found this specific issue, maybe someone has advice before I go tearing into the rear?

Thanks!

 

For some reason my phone audio got a lot of bass, here's the ABS noise closer up from under the hood... If the clicking is normal I'll just learn to live with it, just spend more time sitting in the car parked than I want.

ABS noise - YouTube

 

Just opening the door, I'll try and get a better video with both sounds standing from in front of the vehicle... My video skills leave a lot to be desired.

 

Here's a better clip with both sounds, I don't know what the ratchety whirring is, maybe the inverter? Thanks for listening...

Edit: I put my hands on the inverter while the noise is going and definitely feels like it's coming from inside, guess I'll have to crack it open if this isn't an expected operational noise.

 

The low bass noise is my AC running for the house, I think the audio is picking that up. Failed inverter pump? I cracked the lid of the inverter and it definitely smells like "magic smoke"

 

Thanks for the warning, definitely playing it safe with the high voltage systems. I was just following the vibration I was feeling, I'm pulling the whole inverter up out of the way to check the ABS part. I hope it's not that since the last one was put in less than 2 years ago new at a dealership...

If the inverter pump failed and the inverter itself stinks like burned electronics I'm probably looking to replace both eh?

 

Inverter is looking pristine inside, no signs of scorching or burned parts... I reinstalled it and confirmed it's the ABS actuator/pump assembly making the noise. I appreciate all the feedback on this issue!

 

I only have the record from the Toyota owners portal, the car is pretty new to me, I don't know when the inverter coolant pump was replaced last.

After reassembly I don't have any DTC, I took it for a spin and did a full health check with Techstream and the only code was for the solar sensor (expected at night) Looking at the ABS data list the voltage seemed consistent for the ABS sensor but I honestly don't know what the normal range is for that.

For what it's worth the brake fluid is pretty black and dirty, I pulled a couple basters full out of the reservoir since it was over the max line. I am wondering if the previous owner actually went through with the replacement or just had it diagnosed at the dealership, I would expect 2ish y/o brake fluid to be relatively clean unless they didn't do a brake flush when they changed it out.

 

The brake pads were completely shot when I got the car back in August, I recall the fluid looking a bit dark when I popped the reservoir cap to compress the caliper pistons but I didn't do a thorough inspection, and I definitely didn't bleed them at the time since I didn't have my Techstream setup yet and I disconnected the battery to do the swap.

Here's a photo of the pads, probably original? (185K miles)



Gonna leave it parked while I wait for my new drums/shoes and rotors and just do a fluid change at that time.

Thanks again for the additional context, loving this new Prius (probably more than I should? haha)

 

Good tips, I definitely have the tubing and zip ties to do that, I just didn't think of it! Next time (hopefully a long while from now )