Hi! I need help diagnosing a very loud & strange whirring noise on my brand new, 2023, Prius Limited, with 450 miles. I suspect the hybrid motor since it only occurs when it is engaged. I took it to the dealership today, but they didn’t hear anything…really!!! It’s bad inside and really loud standing outside. I have a video, but I can’t get it uploaded ! Thanks!
I'll take a crack without the video... My wife noticed my Prius first time i drove her in it. As an engineer I recognized the sound as being normal for an EV car. Does the sound get kind of high pitched and hissing like? The EV part of the prius has pulse switched power controllers that make noise due to the high currents being applied to the motor in variable pulses. This controller take the couple-hundred Volt battery and converts it to a variable power source to control the motor when in gear. It will vary somewhat with how much load is on the EV motor. Hope that wasn't too technical.
That is the normal EV sound that comes from the pedestrian-warning loudspeaker inside the front grill. It will be louder in reverse gear. If you don't hear it, there is something wrong. LOL
