Buzzing and vibration from AC compressor

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by arescec, Aug 12, 2015.

  1. arescec

    arescec Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2015
    238
    105
    0
    Location:
    Croatia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    I've bought a used Prius 2010 V this winter and didn't use AC until summer. Now that it's summer I have noticed that AC compressor is pretty loud (esp. when turned on for a few seconds) - loud enough that it can be heard even when engine is running but faintly. Some vibration from compressor also can be felt when not moving (parked) and touching brake pedal. Noise is about as loud as mobilephone left on vibrate on a wooden desk, but higher pitch and a bit muffled, or as loud as a climate control fan on max setting.

    Would that be normal?
     
    #1 arescec, Aug 12, 2015
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2015
  2. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,985
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    With the windows closed I can hardly hear mine. Does it blow cold air?
     
    #2 David Beale, Aug 12, 2015
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,556
    50,801
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i think the noise and buzzing gets worse until they fail. nothing you can do unless you want to replace it prophylactically.
     
    #3 bisco, Aug 12, 2015
  4. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2010
    2,401
    760
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Without actually hearing it, it's hard to tell. I can hear mine too on 1 and 2 bars. I can feel mine vibrating too through the brake pedal. It has been like this from day one.
     
    #4 cproaudio, Aug 12, 2015
    arescec likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,556
    50,801
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i can hear mine, and it's fairly loud outside the car. but not with the engine running.
     
    #5 bisco, Aug 12, 2015
  6. arescec

    arescec Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2015
    238
    105
    0
    Location:
    Croatia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Guess that it might be normal then. I didn't notice it at first until I opened the door while car was stopped.
     
    #6 arescec, Aug 13, 2015
  7. Den49

    Den49 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2010
    498
    269
    0
    Location:
    Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Mine buzzes, but I don't feel any vibration. Since it is a variable speed compressor, the buzzing noise is louder at higher compressor speeds. I think the buzzing is normal.
     
    #7 Den49, Aug 13, 2015
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    58,429
    40,232
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Doesn't seem normal. I notice little or no difference in sound or vibration when I use the AC.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Aug 13, 2015
  9. Den49

    Den49 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2010
    498
    269
    0
    Location:
    Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    You will notice the variation in compressor speed, if you have normal hearing, when the weather is hot and it runs at high speed initially then tapers off to lower speed as the interior reaches the set temperature. This is a high speed electric compressor that gets louder with age like they do in other applications but is not a cause for concern. Just run it until it breaks.
     
    #9 Den49, Aug 13, 2015
    orenji likes this.
  10. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2013
    5,886
    3,487
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    When I first bought my car, I too thought it sounded weird and asked the dealer about it. I was told that is was normal and that there was nothing wrong with it. I use the A/C almost 365 days a year, and It is working fine.
     
    #10 orenji, Aug 13, 2015
    Den49 likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)