New Disturbing Noise

perhaps your talking about the sea lion infestation?

see this thread, complete description and solution in my post on page 5.

 

Interesting phenomena I'll have to keep an ear out and start listening for that 'barking' sound.

 

I've had my Prius for about 4 years and I'm always "hearing a new sound", or so I think. As long as I have no warning lights and the car feels right to me, I just turn up the radio and go along my merry way. The same thing has happened with every car I've ever owned. Sometimes it turns out to be mind over matter. My thoughts...

 

On my '08, after turning the power off I can hear a buzzing noise under the hood. I suspect it is the Hybrid system that is 'doing its thing'. Yes, the car runs great and I am still in the break-in period...closing 2K.

 

Hi Jim...,

Is there any consistancy in speed when the BHONK happens? Like 7 mph ? That is the speed the regeneration kicks out and the hydraulics actuate the fricting brakes. If so, that would imply the BHONK is the brakes taking up the wear clearance (which would need to be huge) when the Hydraulics press the pads to the caliper, or the calipers are binding.

If that is the case, then a caliper cleaning is in order. Look for the caliper binding mechanisms, or that if the guides and guide bushings (if the Prius has those?) are not worn or nicked. Properly lubricate the caliper guides Hobbit has a write-up on caliper maintenance on his web site.

 

I have this EXACT same noise, only it is a little softer. Sounds just like someone lightly bouncing thier fist on the horn to remind someone in front of them that the light has turned green and to get going!

There is a service bulletin in regards to this brake noise....they call it a "squeak" but I think this is the noise they are reffering to.

See the TSB section at the top of the page and look up "Brake Noise" (TSB BR001-07).​

When I was in for a routine inspection, I mentioned this soft "honking" noise to the service department.....they lubed the brake pedal linkage. Of course it is still there. I wil have them bleed the brakes next....then replace the ABS brake actuator assembly under warranty if neccesary.​

Rather aggravating little noise, isn't it?BR001-07​

 

So what happened so far? did you ended replacing the ABS actuator?

 

I would guess the car has had two owners since the OP's last post in 2007.

 

Well maybe, but some people buy cars and keep them in the long run, as it should be, knowing how difficult it can be to pay a new car. But maybe this car is long gone from his hands, maybe the car is not even in the road anymore, could have ended its Priii life in an accident. I doubt this person will even answer my question.

 

iirc, when i spoke with him back then, he eventually traded it in because he needed a new actuator.

 

Ohhh i see, well i don't know if it's the best decision to trade a car just because of such problem, it depends though if you are able to replace the actuator yourself or not, if you can then you will save a lot of money.

 

agreed. but he was not a diy'er. he got quite a few years after the honking/barking started, so it wasn't worth putting the money into it.

 

I understand, some people just do not have time to do these things due to work, or they are not good at it [or that's what they think], or they are not interested in learning how to do it, they should. Well, it's good to know what happened to his Prius, thank you for telling. Now i wonder why he was last time online 8 years ago, i hope he is okay.

 

Some people make more money doing their own job and would rather have someone else do it.

 

3 years ago. unfortunately, we lost touch

 

There was a honking noise that I disliked a few years ago, I looked up the TSB and asked the dealer to flash the brake ECU firmware update mentioned in it, and the noise went away.

If the ECU is already at the recommended firmware version and there is still a honk, I would try the bleed procedure (the more thorough one, for when the underhood bits have been replaced). That might get some gas bubbles out of the way, and I believe the honk to be produced when a bubble squirts fluid past one of the actuator valves, working it like a saxophone reed.

If that doesn't tame the noise, or it comes back too soon, actuator replacement may be indicated.