2010 Prius - Knocking when being driven

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Venkatesh, Sep 3, 2013.

  1. Venkatesh

    Venkatesh New Member

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    I have been experiencing this problem for sometime now. I notice it especially when the battery shows low and after stopping at a Stop sign. Also when I go uphill. Can somebody throw some light on this. Has anyone experienced this problem. If so, what is the solution? Appreciate it. Thanks.
     
    #1 Venkatesh, Sep 3, 2013
  2. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    How many miles?
     
    #2 jdcollins5, Sep 4, 2013
  3. Venkatesh

    Venkatesh New Member

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    Thanks. I'll try that.
     
    #3 Venkatesh, Sep 4, 2013
  4. Venkatesh

    Venkatesh New Member

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    127200 Kms. (80000 miles approx.). Thanks.
     
    #4 Venkatesh, Sep 4, 2013
  5. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I have 65,000 miles and no problems. ^^ Try Bean Counter's advice above.
     
    #5 jdcollins5, Sep 4, 2013
    Bean Counter likes this.
  6. Venkatesh

    Venkatesh New Member

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    Ok, will do. Thanks.
     
    #6 Venkatesh, Sep 4, 2013
  7. Venkatesh

    Venkatesh New Member

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    Yes. I do a lot of city driving. But, I never use EV mode. It is always Eco mode.
     
    #7 Venkatesh, Sep 4, 2013
  8. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    If the weather is hot where you live and you run the AC with a lot of start/stop city driving, this may explain the battery going low. Also, if the battery temps get high enough the system will be less aggressive with the battery and more aggressive with the ICE.

    This may explain the higher use or strain of the ICE but does not explain the knocking.
     
    #8 jdcollins5, Sep 4, 2013
  9. Venkatesh

    Venkatesh New Member

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    I assume, when you say ICE, you mean Internal Combustion Engine. I live in Toronto, Canada. I have observed this more when I use the A/c. Many times I have turned off the a/c and the condition improves slightly, until I do continuous driving, instead of stop and go. Thanks.
     
    #9 Venkatesh, Sep 4, 2013
  10. Venkatesh

    Venkatesh New Member

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    What you say makes sense. I am a driving instructor and as such, when I am teaching, I do a lot of low speed manoevres. That probably accounts for the car going into EV mode frequently. Thanks for that tip. I'll try changing the way I teach. Low speed operations interspersed with some continuous driving. Thanks, again.
     
    #10 Venkatesh, Sep 4, 2013
  11. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    IIRC there was an known cold engine knocking issue with some Gen3's if you start the engine briefly (eg; to move in driveway) and then shut down and let cool off, the issue is seen upon restart. But this does not seem to apply to your situation.
     
    #11 wjtracy, Sep 4, 2013
  12. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Correct on meaning of ICE. The AC is electric and uses HV battery when the ICE is off. This will quickly lower the HV battery SOC (State of Charge). By turning off the AC this reduces the drain on the HV battery.

    When the HV battery SOC gets low the car will resort to using the ICE more and the HV battery less until the SOC recovers.
     
    #12 jdcollins5, Sep 4, 2013
  13. Venkatesh

    Venkatesh New Member

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    Thanks for the explanation. Today, I noticed something. I did not use AC at all. However, when I stopped for some time the HV battery drained quickly. But, if I parked the car and did not turn off power, the drain was slower. I am going to pay attention to this aspect and see if there is any improvement. Thanks for your help.
     
    #13 Venkatesh, Sep 4, 2013
  14. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    What is different when you stop versus put the car in park? What accessories do you have turned on that will cause the HV battery to drain quickly?
     
    #14 jdcollins5, Sep 4, 2013
  15. Venkatesh

    Venkatesh New Member

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    Well! the only difference is when I am stopped, my foot is on the brake, whereas when I am parked, I am not holding the brake.
     
    #15 Venkatesh, Sep 11, 2013
  16. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    About the knocking, are you the original owner and what have the oil change intervals been since new? What oil brand, weight and synthetic or regular dino oil?

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
    #16 WE0H, Sep 12, 2013
  17. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Well, if the only difference is whether you have your foot on the brake, and you drain the HV battery when you have your foot on the brake and not with it off, that would have to be a short in your brake circuit to drain the battery so quickly, would it not?
     
    #17 jdcollins5, Sep 12, 2013
  18. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Is this a school of hard knocks?

    But seriously, if you expect us to help you, you need to upload a recording of the said knock.
     
    #18 Former Member 68813, Sep 12, 2013
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