I recently bought a 2013 Prius C 3. The display audio system makes a lot of white noise when it's on - sounds like a cassette tape hiss. That's okay I guess - chalk it up to oem audio. Right? Well, it also makes a slight static noise at the same time - sounds like wind blowing on a microphone or ocean waves. Very quiet. It makes the noise when the accessory power is on hybrid system off. Even if the Audio is turned off and the screen is black. It also makes this noise when the car is powered on, hybrid system on. Engine doesn't have to be running - it makes the noise all the time. Does anybody else have this issue? Should I be taking it to the dealer for them to check it out?
Yep. Any volume level. When the stereo is off. The only time I don't hear it is when the power of the car is totally off. Push the power button of the car, and the his/static starts.
hopefully it's something simple like a weak ground or loose connection. i would take it to the dealer if you are not comfortable investigating/troubleshooting on your own.
I removed the radio, reseated all the connectors. I also reset the radio, and even disconnected the 12v battery for 15 minutes to reset the whole car. The sound was still there. I took it to the dealer. After initially saying that the thumping/static sound might be normal, they took another new Prius C three off the lot and we checked the speakers for the same sound. That Prius C did not have the sound. The dealer then ordered another audio unit for my car.
Is it possible you're hearing the fan for the heater/ac? Mine seems kinda loud but I've just chalked it up to the car being so quiet (compared to my last car that) I hear stuff I never heard before.
Nah, because the other Prius C we tried didn't make the same sounds. My car makes these sounds with the car in the ACC mode, and the stereo turned off. The static doesn't change with any electrical loads, hybrid system power, lights or anything.
Just for giggles... try hitting the off button on the climate control... I say this because in my car the fan does sound a lot more like static than it sounds like a fan, at least when on the low fan speed setting.
Yep, with climate control off, recirc on or off, temp hi or low, it's still thumpy. Even rear defrost, different lights, or other loads don't change the sound.
Finally the radio came and it was installed earlier today. On the repair invoice: CUSTOMER STATES HEARING A CRACKLE SOUND FROM RADIO WHEN ON. INSTALL SOP AUDIO UNIT INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUNT AUDIO UNIT TO HAVE INTERNAL FAULT CAUSING NOISE EVEN WHEN UNIT IS POWERED OFF. REPLACED AUDIO UNIT WITH NEW PARTS AND TESTED OPERATION. NO ISSUES PRESENT AT THIS TIME. It works great. No noise. No hiss. No rumble.
Now I'm getting a "Check Antenna" error message on the satellite radio. I don't use the satellite radio, but it never displayed this message before. I guess I should just leave it alone. I pulled out the radio, and checked the satellite radio connector - it looks fine. I removed it an re-seated it. Still no dice.
