I have around 2500 miles on my new '09 Prius. Just the other day, I started noticing a soft metallic clanging/squeaking that seems to be coming from under the passenger side floor. It only happens at higher speeds with road vibration (bumps), but doesn't seem to get worse with large bumps. It's more like a vibration from something being loose(?) If anyone has ever had a steering wheel "the club" security device--it sounds very similar that clanging sound as you drive over bumps with the "club" laying on the floor; just maybe not as loud. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'll certainly take it in for a look by the Dealer, but you guys are all so experienced and knowledgable that I can't imagine I'm the first one with this issue. Thanks!
Before going to that bother, thoroughly consider all of the storage areas in the car, any loose objects you may have left lying around, and all movable parts such as foldable seat latches, the tonneau cover in the back, etc. With all the hard surfaces inside the source of a noise can be far from its apparent position. If possible have a passenger look for the source while you drive.
Yeah, I've been checking for loose objects, but I have yet to have the a passenger do a little looking around. Unfrotunately it does sound like it's coming for just underneath the floor.
I THINK I GOT IT!! Under the passenger seat there's some electronics housed under a rectangular plastic cover. That cover is a bit loose and is making noise. I thought I could screw-tighten it down, but when I tried to remove the 2 round black screw covers it turned out there not covers. It looks like the cover is held in place by plastic rivots. Anyone know more about this thing?
That is the JBL power amplifier. Now that you know the cause of the noise, why not visit your dealer and let them take care of the problem since your 3 year/36K mile warranty is still in effect.
