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Whine

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by jimnjo, Apr 29, 2009.

  1. jimnjo

    jimnjo Member

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    No, I am not whining...my Prius is. It is a subtle, that is to say not loud, noise that does not rise above road noise above 35 mph or so. It rises and falls with speed of vehicle, not engine rpms. And it goes completely away when I turn the steering wheel even slightly to the right, returning as I go back to straight (and not changing with a turn to the left). Seems unchanged by braking. Any ideas?

    Vehicle is 2006 with around 54,000 miles
     
    #1 jimnjo, Apr 29, 2009
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Are you not talking about the electric motor whine, or the inverter whine?

    Tom
     
    #2 qbee42, Apr 29, 2009
  3. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    The description "whining" could be the electrics, but the other symptoms sound like a problem with a u-joint or wheel bearing. I'd take it to a dealer.
     
    #3 richard schumacher, Apr 29, 2009
  4. donee

    donee New Member

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    Hi Jimjo,

    Uneven tire wear, a bad wheel bearing (front most likely), loose lug nuts, or a combination of the three - as when you steer the noise changes - are what come to mind. Wheel bearings are the most common cause.
     
    #4 donee, Apr 29, 2009
  5. electrocality

    electrocality New Member

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    I bought a used 2006 Prius on Monday and today had a chance to take a ride in another '06 that a friend was going to buy. I drove an '08, too, but hadn't noticed the lack of the whine on the '08 until I was in the other '06 today and noticed that mine had it and the other one didn't.

    As near as I can tell it is not coming from tires or brakes. It could be transmission or electric in nature. It sounds like a classic "electric car" kind of whine where, as the car speeds up, you hear the motor noise pick up in intensity.
     
    #5 electrocality, Apr 30, 2009
  6. jimnjo

    jimnjo Member

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    I was reluctant to think it was wheel bearings on so young a Toyota but the dealer replaced both front wheel bearings and whine has ceased. Under warrenty, as part of drive train warrenty that goes to 60,000. Glad of that!

    Jim
     
    #6 jimnjo, May 5, 2009
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