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What is that vent on back seat, right side?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by hellochicken, Jun 2, 2015.

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  1. hellochicken

    hellochicken Junior Member

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    Hi. So I just bought a 2012 four on Sunday, and it took me 2 days to finally notice that there's a vent on the right side of the back seat. There isn't one on the left side though.

    I noticed it because the sound of the air coming through it sounds pretty loud, and especially now that I'm conscientious of the sound, it's kinda annoying.

    Does anyone know what that is, and if there's a way to close it or turn it off??

    image.jpg
     
    #1 hellochicken, Jun 2, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    :eek:don't do it!:eek:
     
    #2 bisco, Jun 2, 2015
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    did u get an o/m?
     
    #3 bisco, Jun 2, 2015
  4. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    Your Hybrid battery needs to breathe a little bit of your cabin air temp.
     
    #4 Sergiospl, Jun 2, 2015
    matt b. likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    surprised you're getting a lot of noise from it. you may want to tear it apart and clean it. perhaps the former owner was a dog lover.
     
    #5 bisco, Jun 2, 2015
  6. matt b.

    matt b. Member

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    don't touch it it's a battery fan vent to cool the batteries it's supposed to be there
     
    #6 matt b., Jun 2, 2015
  7. hellochicken

    hellochicken Junior Member

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    Is it supposed to be so loud? The loudness/intensity seems to depend on how fast I'm going - faster I'm going, louder it is.
    When on the freeway it sounds like the AC on mid-level.

    Is that about right?

    I sure hope it's not some mechanical issue... It probably is, knowing my luck with cars....
     
    #7 hellochicken, Jun 2, 2015
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i've never heard mine, in ten years.
     
    #8 bisco, Jun 2, 2015
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The fan behind it draws air in, runs it across the hybrid battery (under hatch floor) and exhausts to outside behind rear bumper skin.

    Like Bisco, I've never heard ours. I do monitor battery temp and fan speed occasionally; I've seen fan speed up to 4 (out of 6), but still inaudible.

    If you're hearing the fan I think it's either getting dust clogged (struggling) or your battery's running hot. Actually a clogged fan could be causing overheating.

    You can open it up yourself, takes about an hour, or get the pros on it.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Jun 2, 2015
  10. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Not to worry, I hear mine all the time, the first time I heard it I thought there was a bad seal around my back door. it will run harder on hot days, make sure you use your A/C as batteries like to stay cool too! Vacuuming the opening when you vacuum the carpets is a good idea.
     
    #10 orenji, Jun 2, 2015
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I guess I'm getting argumentative on this, but: I've been monitoring battery temps, without, and sometimes with AC use. I've seen no drop in battery temperature with AC running. After driving for say 45 minutes, battery temps will stabilize around 36~38C, with windows cracked, maybe the cabin ventilation fan running, but no AC. Turning AC on, run for another 15~20 minutes, get it decently cool, there's no drop in battery temperature.

    I'd check the fan itself, it's a worthwhile periodic maintenance. Doubly so if you transport pets.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Jun 2, 2015
  12. hellochicken

    hellochicken Junior Member

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    thanks for all the responses yall. Tomorrow I plan to take a closer look in this fan thing. this issue is kind of tripping me out. This car looks like it's practically brand new, and I drove it off the lot with 14,995 miles. But who knows - maybe the previous owner had some crazy shedding animals, and the Lexus dealer I bought it from did one amazing job to get rid of all of it....except maybe the damn battery vent...

    Today is the first day I threw in a few bags and a roller case in the back...could that possibly help cause the issue?
     
    #12 hellochicken, Jun 3, 2015
  13. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Yes, you should not block the vent, that maybe is why it was running so loud.
     
    #13 orenji, Jun 3, 2015
  14. hellochicken

    hellochicken Junior Member

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    Sorry for the miscommunication - nothing was in the back seat. Everything was in the trunk area.
     
    #14 hellochicken, Jun 3, 2015
  15. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Did you experience this today? It was hot today, and my fan was working......
     
    #15 orenji, Jun 3, 2015
  16. hellochicken

    hellochicken Junior Member

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    Yes I did. But I don't think it was too hot...mid-70s? Although I did drive through some canyons...but the fan was still acting up in the evening when it cooled down, and was on flat terrain.
     
    #16 hellochicken, Jun 3, 2015
  17. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Well if you hear it all the time again tomorrow, I would suggest you take back to Lexus where you bought it, and have then inspect it. Best of luck.
     
    #17 orenji, Jun 3, 2015
  18. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Well as you undoubtedly already know, it's your hybrid battery fan inlet.

    It really shouldn't be loud. I can barely hear mine. If you can easily identify when your is running, you might want to take a closer look.
     
    #18 The Electric Me, Jun 3, 2015
  19. Tony D

    Tony D Active Member

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    Anyone have the link for the cleaning of the fan (for the Gen 2 & Gen 3 if possible)

    Thanks
     
    #19 Tony D, Jun 3, 2015
  20. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Ditto (in six years)
     
    #20 RRxing, Jun 3, 2015
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