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High pitched whining sound at speeds under 25

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Jay at gr8cafe, Apr 17, 2020.

  1. Jay at gr8cafe

    Jay at gr8cafe New Member

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    Actually, the sound continues, it's just hard to hear once the speeds reaches 25mph. I've only had my 2019 Prius for a few months (had a gen 3 for 7 years). This noise started recently and is particularly noticeable when on electric at speeds under 20. It can be heard inside the cabin with the windows closed, but it's particularly noticeable (and irritating) with the window open and the sound is bouncing off something near the road's edge like a hedge or a fence. I will be going back to the dealer, but I'd like some better way of describing it or even suggesting what the problem might be. Thanks!
     
    #1 Jay at gr8cafe, Apr 17, 2020
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thinking inverter whine
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 17, 2020
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  3. IMkenNY

    IMkenNY Im just being nosy

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    I was getting a great deal of whining at speeds in excess of 70mph, once my mother-in-law got out the whining stopped!

    On a more serious note could you be hearing a pedestrian warning speaker output from your Prius?
     
    #3 IMkenNY, Apr 17, 2020
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  4. Jay at gr8cafe

    Jay at gr8cafe New Member

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    No, it increases with the speed until engine and road noise drown most of it out, besides the sound is far more high pitched than warning sounds. Thanks!
     
    #4 Jay at gr8cafe, Apr 17, 2020
  5. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Yeah, sounds like inverter whine. My Prime sounds like a vehicle from a sci-fi movie at low speeds.
     
    #5 jerrymildred, Apr 17, 2020
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  6. Jay at gr8cafe

    Jay at gr8cafe New Member

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    Thanks Jerry. Are you suggesting that this is normal? It didn't do it for the first 3 months I owned this 2019 Prius, and my 2011 Prius never did it. Your description is good, the noise does sound sci-fi. J
     
    #6 Jay at gr8cafe, Apr 17, 2020
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    mine comes and goes. sometimes more in cooler weather, not sure why.

    could it be a bad wheel bearing?
     
    #7 bisco, Apr 17, 2020
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  8. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Probably. Mine seems to vary like bisco's PiP. My Pip varied in volume, too. This Prime of mine seems louder, which makes sense since it has more EV power available.

    Can you hear the sound at all when the engine is running and warmed up? If it's just as loud then it might be a wheel bearing, but I'd think you'd feel that and I wouldn't expect it to be high pitched.

    Here's a test. Put it in neutral and coast. If it's inverter whine, it'll stop whining. If it's a wheel bearing, rubbing brake, or something like that, there should be no change in sound except a reduction in volume or pitch as the car slows.
     
    #8 jerrymildred, Apr 17, 2020
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  9. Jay at gr8cafe

    Jay at gr8cafe New Member

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    Thanks Jerry, I'll give it a try and let you know.
     
    #9 Jay at gr8cafe, Apr 19, 2020
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  10. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Could it be a stone stuck behind the the brake rotor cover ?
     
    #10 kithmo, Apr 22, 2020
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