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Fan Sound from back seat

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by bnaccs, Apr 22, 2011.

  1. bnaccs

    bnaccs bnaccs

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    Tonight for the first time I heard a fan sound coming from the back seat after driving in traffic for 45 minutes. It was coming from the vent in the back seat. I didn't know that that vent had an electric fan, or does it? I assume it was the battery being cooled? I have never heard this sound before. Does anyone know when the fan comes on if it is indeed a fan?
     
    #1 bnaccs, Apr 22, 2011
  2. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Yes. It is a battery cooling fan.
     
    #2 cwerdna, Apr 22, 2011
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think if you take out the under floor tray in the hatch area you can see the fan housing. There's some pics at lucsious garage regarding dust accumulations in 2nd gen fan:

    Luscious Garage | Blog | Prius battery cooling fan cleaning, P0A82

    I'm not sure if things are different with 3rd gen. I put a piece of fairly open mesh vacuum motor filter behind that back seat grill on ours. I've never heard ours cycle, fwiw. Then again, I'm not the principal driver.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Apr 22, 2011
  4. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #4 cwerdna, Apr 22, 2011
  5. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    Owners manual page-33
    Hybrid battery air vent
    "There is an air intake vent on the side of the rear right seatback for the purpose of cooling the hybrid battery (traction battery). If the vent becomes blocked, the hybrid battery may overheat, leading to a reduction in hybrid battery output."

    Ken@Japan
     
    #5 ken1784, Apr 22, 2011
  6. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Pretty much answered, it's the battery cooling fan. I find it to be more noticeable in the Gen III compared to my Gen II, but more often than not my radio blocks it out and I never hear it.
     
    #6 Paradox, Apr 22, 2011
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