1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Buzzing noise coming from HVAC. Dealer can't replicate?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by roadwarrior28, Apr 14, 2017.

  1. roadwarrior28

    roadwarrior28 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    68
    69
    1
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three Touring
    Hey y'all,


    I've had my Prius for around 20k and I have an intermittent high pitched buzzing noise coming from the heater/air conditioner. I most notice it on the "2" fan setting when it's on auto and it stops if I turn the fan down to "1." The dealer wasn't able to replicate the sound, so I've taken a video of it on my phone and plan to go in again.

    Anyone else have these issues? Any tips on dealing with the dealer regarding an intermittent problem?
     
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,041
    7,580
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I can't play the video. Last time I had a sound like you describe was 30 years ago - a leaf had got into the fan cage, and would relocate itself from time to time changing the note - but with a filter, that shouldn't happen on PRIUS. I don't know the location of the fan in relation to the filter - but could the filter not be installed securely - just a vague possibility?
     
  3. ATHiker

    ATHiker Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    642
    560
    0
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    I have started to noticed a noise, too. MIne sounds something like a spinning wheel that has not been well oiled. It is not steady and only in on higher settings.
     
  4. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,041
    7,580
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It should be a warranty matter then.
     
  5. ATHiker

    ATHiker Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    642
    560
    0
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Agreed, but this only started now that I am out of warranty.
     
  6. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,041
    7,580
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    How long is the warranty in US? It's 3 yrs here (which is the shortest of all manufacturers, others give up to 7 yrs factory warranty).
     
  7. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2016
    3,709
    5,183
    0
    Location:
    Cornwall
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It might be worthwhile reporting it to Toyota USA, they may be willing to authorize your repair as a goodwill gesture. Especially if it avoids potentially bad publicity...... ;)
     
  8. tucatz

    tucatz Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    499
    412
    0
    Location:
    Manzanita, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Yep, me too. Started two weeks ago w my 4 touring at 7800 miles. Sounds like a whirling or flapping inside the dashboard. Intermittent.

    Btw, I got ZERO help, only a big headache with my local dealer for the previous rattles. I fixed them myself: tightened strut and hatch bolts, stuffed towels around the lower AC vents.

    Anyone know how to stop this rattle?
     
  9. roadwarrior28

    roadwarrior28 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    68
    69
    1
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three Touring


    Here's the video again. The sound is really faint and pretty hard to hear. It may not be what other folks are describing..
     
  10. tucatz

    tucatz Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    499
    412
    0
    Location:
    Manzanita, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Can't hear it in your video. But I feel you man, these buzzing sounds drive me crazy miss daisy.

    I had a door buzz for several months that could be interrupted by cracking the window and banging of the door panel w my elbow. I finally figured out it was the n the seatbelt asembly and it stopped by moving the height adjustment on the door frame.
     
    RCO likes this.
  11. Cfrea

    Cfrea Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2017
    30
    8
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I complained about this same problem. Then I test drove another car and it did the same thing. Looks like they are using some crappy electronic component's that create a high pitch whine when under load. Please keep me updated and tell me if you get it resolved. I would love to take it to Toyota and get it fixed also
     
  12. roadwarrior28

    roadwarrior28 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2016
    68
    69
    1
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three Touring
    I just made an appointment next week for an oil change and for them to look at this issue. I have a few other videos that I took of it so hopefully they can't deny it's happening when they have video evidence!

    It's honestly one of the most annoying problems, because it can get really loud and disruptive in certain situations.

    Also, my Prius was a relatively early model (i think Feb or March of 2016 for the manufacture date) and sat on the lot for months.
     
    tucatz likes this.
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    bummer. i hope they fix it for you. toyota must have cheaped out on the fan motor or something.
     
  14. tucatz

    tucatz Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    499
    412
    0
    Location:
    Manzanita, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    My 4 touring was manufactured 2/2016. Like yours mine also sat on lots for months until I purchased in October. Hmmm, maybe the early builds had a few too many loose panels and wires. How do we get Toyota to fix these defects? I had a very bad dealer experience at my 5K maintenance and now I don't know how to go forward on these issues.
     
    roadwarrior28 likes this.
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    try another dealer, tell them it has been happening since before warranty ran out. you can get your records from the toyota owners website.
    if all else fails, contact toyota customer service.
     
    tucatz, roadwarrior28 and RCO like this.
  16. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2016
    880
    673
    0
    Location:
    San Juan Capistrano, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    Same for me... January 2016. Buying the first batch of a redesigned car is always a dumb thing to do. I only did it because I knew it would be reliable because it's a Toyota.:)
     
  17. tucatz

    tucatz Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2010
    499
    412
    0
    Location:
    Manzanita, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Hey Bosco, 'been wondering... what is a cookie crumbler?
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    when nabisco stole my moniker, i sued them, and shattered their dreams. :cool:
     
    RCO likes this.
  19. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2016
    3,709
    5,183
    0
    Location:
    Cornwall
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    They gonna make a film about that? It could be a cracker!
     
  20. Greg_FR

    Greg_FR New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2017
    5
    1
    0
    Location:
    France
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Coming back to the buzzing noise : if you shut off the A/C but leave the fans on, does the buzzing noise disappear ?
    I've notice some kind of buzzing noise on mine but if I shut off the A/C, the noise stops immediately and comes back if I turn the A/C back on. It seems to happen only for a few minutes after starting the car with A/C on when it's hot, then it seems to vanish.
     
    RK808 likes this.