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My car was hungry?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by regentofthesun, Nov 8, 2009.

  1. regentofthesun

    regentofthesun New Member

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    A funny thing happened to me today. I had stopped for about 15 minutes to pick up some take out. When I was getting back in the car, I heard this strange sound. The sound lasted for almost 10 seconds, had a somewhat regular oscillation and seemed to be coming from the dash area.

    Just to be on the safe side I turned to my passenger and asked if it was her and she replied: “No. It’s your car!â€

    I swear it sounded like my car’s stomach was growling. She said it sounded more like gas. :\

    Has this happened to anyone else? Is this something that I should be concerned about?
     
    #1 regentofthesun, Nov 8, 2009
  2. philobeddoe

    philobeddoe ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

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    i'd run for my life, but that's just me
     
    #2 philobeddoe, Nov 9, 2009
  3. GreenGuy33

    GreenGuy33 Active Member

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    It sounds like the batteries/hybrid system doing their "thing".
    Like other posters had written, the Prius, as well as the Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid, will go through a sequence to keep the battery performing optimally. I think the sounds are cool.:rockon:
     
    #3 GreenGuy33, Nov 9, 2009
  4. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    I suspect it was the brake acumulator pump. It will run when the drivers door is opened ready to give you brake boost when you drive away.
     
    #4 patsparks, Nov 9, 2009
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    This is the most likely explanation. It makes a ratcheting/growling/buzzing sort of noise from someplace down in front of the driver's foot well.

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, Nov 9, 2009
  6. Bobsprius

    Bobsprius BobPrius

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    I agree with Qbee42! You will several different sounds. When I turn off my car after arriving home and parked in the garage...I will hear a few "clicks" and few other sounds. I know one of them to be related to the gas recovery/Tank recovery....I think the other is the Hybrid Battery.....

    The car sometimes makes you think it's having Indigestion! :)

    But It's just doing it's thing....nothing to worry about..;)
     
    #6 Bobsprius, Nov 9, 2009
  7. walterm

    walterm Active Member

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    You will hear a low growling-type sound when the car is off if you have the solar ventilation enabled and the car is in direct sunlight. It comes and goes periodically, and you may also notice the light breeze out of the vents (it's very light).
     
    #7 walterm, Nov 9, 2009
  8. codybigdog123

    codybigdog123 Got Mad and Left in a Tizzy

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    I noticed you have a solar package. Chances are, it was your servo-system making adjustments to bring fresah air into the cabin. It makes sort of a 'groaning" sound. It's normal, and nothing is wrong. If you look in the manual, they mention the sound...
     
    #8 codybigdog123, Nov 9, 2009
  9. Blind Guy

    Blind Guy New Member

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    To put this all in a nutshell for you, your Prius has a minimum of 4 sources that can emit odd noises:
    * Your Solar System and its air ventilation
    * Your Brake Acumulator (for pressurizing the brakes)
    * Your Gas Tank's vapor recovery system
    * Your Hybrid Battery system's relays

    Your Hybrid Prius is completely different from the average car, and as a result, does NOT act or sound like a conventional car. Even the Owners Manual says your car can make some strange noises, and that these sounds are normal!

    David (aka Blind Guy)
     
    #9 Blind Guy, Nov 9, 2009
  10. regentofthesun

    regentofthesun New Member

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    Thank you all for the great feedback and perspective!

    I knew that I would be experiencing some new and strange noises so I was not really freaked out. It may have also been my phone's data connection interfering with the electronics as I entered the car.

    I have heard both the solar and break systems working and I am confident that it was not one of them. As far vapor recovery or the hybrid relays, I have not heard those yet so one of them may be the cause.

    Considering the circumstances though, it was quite hillarious! J
     
    #10 regentofthesun, Nov 9, 2009
  11. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Actually - the noise you may have heard would be the solar system doing it's job. When the panel doesn't get quite enough juice to run the fan at full speed, you'll hear a groaning of the motor attempting to start. My kids refer to it as my car has gas (they use different phraseology, but I'm keeping it G rated here).

    It is perfectly normal, and only something you'd experience on a solar equipped car.
     
    #11 HTMLSpinnr, Nov 9, 2009
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I'll also wager it's what Pat said... unless you have the solar roof running.
     
    #12 Tideland Prius, Nov 9, 2009
  13. Indyking

    Indyking Happy Hyundai owner...

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    It's just your dashboard warming up for the rattles symphony...
     
    #13 Indyking, Nov 9, 2009
  14. jburns

    jburns Senior Senior Member

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    Thanks for not offending me by saying fart. I really appreciate it. :thumb:
     
    #14 jburns, Nov 9, 2009
  15. Bobsprius

    Bobsprius BobPrius

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    I am half tempted to come to Indy to meet you to hear your Symphonic Car! :) The rattles you describe have me Curious and concerned...Mine is good, so when does the bomb explode? :rolleyes:
     
    #15 Bobsprius, Nov 9, 2009
  16. yardman 49

    yardman 49 Active Member

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    Another possibility could be the air conditioning system, after it is turned off. I've heard this on my G2 before. It is the sound of the coolant expanding in the AC system. Sounds like the car is flatulent.
     
    #16 yardman 49, Nov 9, 2009
  17. regentofthesun

    regentofthesun New Member

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    You are probably right about the coolant. I forgot that I had turned the solar roof off the day before to preserve the new car smell as long as possible. I know the brake pump sound and it is much softer than what I heard.

    If it happens again I will try to record it and find some way to post the sound.
     
    #17 regentofthesun, Nov 9, 2009
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