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small motor running rear of car

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Thebearded1, Sep 14, 2022.

  1. Thebearded1

    Thebearded1 Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Today when i got home I heard the noise of a small motor running under the rear of my wife's 2016 Prius C. The car had been parked for at least 6 hours and was off, this one has a key not a push button start. I crawled under there and could tell the noise was coming from this.
    [​IMG]
    I looked at various parts diagrams for this model prius but couldn't find it labeled. Does anyone know what this is?

    We started the car and the hybrid battery was 3/4 charged and was likely not fully charged when parked. The gas engine started fine and when we turned the car off the noise from under the rear had stopped.

    I can imagine why anything would have been running. The car was not hot inside, it was parked in the shade and it was only 70 F degrees out today. Has anyone else had this issue?
     
    #1 Thebearded1, Sep 14, 2022
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Well, this car is slightly different than a regular Prius and haven't experienced it with a Prius C before, but the regular Prius has a sniffer to check for leaks in the fuel system that would be similar to what you're describing. I'm sure if you look in the owner's manual there will be an explanation of the noise you might hear when car is turned off.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Sep 14, 2022
  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    #3 fuzzy1, Sep 14, 2022
    Mendel Leisk and alanclarkeau like this.
  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Almost every gasoline-fueled car made in the past 15-20 years has a variation of this. Completely normal, nothing to be concerned about.
     
    #4 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Sep 14, 2022
    alanclarkeau likes this.
  5. Thebearded1

    Thebearded1 Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Cool glad to hear. Never noticed it with my truck or any other vehicle i've owned
     
    #5 Thebearded1, Sep 16, 2022
  6. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    Four
    Not all cars have that kind of pump that makes noise, but there is some system that checks the fuel tank and fuel vapor system for leaks.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #6 mr_guy_mann, Sep 18, 2022
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