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Severe Rattling/Vibrating

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by HybridGuy04, Dec 2, 2021.

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  1. HybridGuy04

    HybridGuy04 New Member

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    2004 Prius
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    ----USA----
    Hello, I have a 2004 Toyota Prius with around 230k miles. The other day I ran through a touchless carwash with an undercarriage wash. Upon leaving the carwash, I noticed vibrations when letting off the gas. When accelerating there was no vibrations. It has only been when letting off the gas (seemingly lower RPM's), upon start up, and sometimes when AC compressor kicks off and on. When coasting, accelerating, or when ICE mode is not active, there is no noise or rattling.

    Today, I took it to the dealer for a diagnostic. They claim the transmission is shot and needs replacement, a $6,000 project. My question is however, if it's the transmission, wouldn't it happen upon accelerating also and also when ICE is off?

    To reiterate, the severe rattling/vibration occurs when letting off the gas or when ICE is barely active at lower RPM's, upon startup when idling, in non ICE mode when AC compressor kicks off and on can hear vibration sound somewhat, but not much. The vibration sound like bass in a car with a stereo.

    Please advise, if anyone has any ideas any help here would be greatly appreciated!

    The transmission is sealed and should not have gotten any water in there from an undercarriage wash, correct? Coincidence it stated acting up immediately after the car wash?
     
    #1 HybridGuy04, Dec 2, 2021
  2. HybridGuy04

    HybridGuy04 New Member

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    Additionally, there are no lights on the dash or codes.
     
    #2 HybridGuy04, Dec 2, 2021
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ask them how they diagnosed it without codes, and get a second opinion
     
    #3 bisco, Dec 2, 2021
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  4. HybridGuy04

    HybridGuy04 New Member

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    2004 Prius
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    ----USA----
    Thanks for the reply! They told me what they did to determine it was put it in neutral when driving and they said it stopped. All though it does stop when the car goes back to electric when coasting as I've stated. Hard to believe a car wash could destroy a transmission? They're sealed good to prevent water coming in aren't they? Also, they checked the transmission fluid and claim there is no water in that.
     
    #4 HybridGuy04, Dec 2, 2021
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Toyota Stealerships are warranty specialists that maximize the cost of the repairs because Toyota pays for them. With no warning lights they don't have a clue what's wrong with your car but they know the first step is to replace the most expensive part.

    Truth is you can get a low-mileage used Prius engine with transmission for less than a thousand and similar price for someone to swap them.

    If I were you I'd start with changing your transfluid and see if it's low in quantity and you can ship a sample off for analysis to Blackstone and compare the results with other results on here to confirm if there's broken stuff in there.

    In the meantime, get car up on a lift and look for other issues that could be causing this like CV Joints, wheel bearings, exhaust shielding, etc.. In general an 18 year old car is really old and going to make all kinds of random noises and the absolute worst people I work on Prius for are the ones who freak out about the tiniest additional noise, yet don't properly maintain their car or fix stuff when it breaks or fails. They're the only ones who bring the car back after I've worked on it. I don't like them and and their abusive behavior.
     
    #5 PriusCamper, Dec 2, 2021
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