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

Constant High Pitched Whining

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by LonelyAtTheTop, Oct 5, 2020.

  1. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2020
    7
    0
    0
    Location:
    Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    Hey everyone!

    I have a 2012 Prius C and for about a month there has been a constant super high pitched noise coming from the center console area. It’s not a normal hybrid noise, for sure. I have turned off all A/C, heat, and audio and it’s just super loud. Is it some kind of vacuum leak? Anyone else had this problem?

    If this problem has been solved before please direct me there? I did a quick search but I’m sure everyone describes things differently!

    thanks in advance!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    how many miles on her?

    wheel bearing maybe?
     
  3. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2020
    7
    0
    0
    Location:
    Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    Constant, whether moving or not. Whether the gas engine is running or it’s in EV.
     
  4. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2020
    7
    0
    0
    Location:
    Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    Oh I misread your reply. It is a 2012 with 67k miles
     
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,769
    4,371
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Perhaps try to isolate which system is making the noise by removing fuses?
     
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,072
    14,975
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Any, umm, lights on the dash?
     
  7. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2020
    7
    0
    0
    Location:
    Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    Nope. No lights on the dash. Everything seems normal except the sound.
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Center console meaning under the armrest?
     
  9. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2020
    7
    0
    0
    Location:
    Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    Nope, sorry for the lack of clarity. It seems like it’s coming from behind the AC vents in the center of the dash. Initially I thought it was an AC problem, but it happens constantly, even if the AC is off. I was thinking maybe it’s a vacuum leak somewhere?
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    does it have an aftermarket alarm?
     
  11. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2020
    7
    0
    0
    Location:
    Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    Nope. Completely stock. Doesn’t sound electronic at all. If it was a vacuum leak, where would I start looking?
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    no idea.

    when you open the hood, and listen there, does it still sound like it is inside the dash?
     
  13. davidc83

    davidc83 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2015
    113
    50
    0
    Location:
    Scottsburg, Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius c
    Model:
    Five
    Behind the vents, could be the blower, a bearing in the blower fan.

    Z6201V ?
     
  14. LonelyAtTheTop

    LonelyAtTheTop New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2020
    7
    0
    0
    Location:
    Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    Does the blower run constantly, whether the HVAC system is on or not?

    I will say that since it’s started getting colder (I’m in Michigan) the noise has gotten almost unnoticeable. I still want to get it sorted out, though...