Intermittent noise coming from rear of 2018 Land Cruiser

[FrazzledHunter]

I took possession of the car 11/2019. Since the summer of 2020 I noticed a buzzing sound that sometimes comes from the rear of the vehicle. It's done this maybe 3 or 4 times. There does not seem to be any pattern to when the noise starts or how long it lasts. It has happened just after stopping in the garage. However I once stepped out to the garage at 2AM and heard it after the car had been parked literally for hours. Other than the few times I heard the noise in my garage I have no idea how many times it may have done this.

I have cleared the noise in the past by starting and then stopping the engine. My attempts to locate exactly where the noise came from were futile until yesterday. Yesterday I happened to step out to the garage to hear the noise. I lowered the spare tire, located the source to the large junction box that sits above the spare tire and then grabbed my camera. Poking the box seemed to stop the noise.

So my questions for the experts here are:
1. What on Earth is this big honkin' junction box called and what's in it?
2. Any ideas as to what the noise might be about?

I'm thinking I have to take this to the dealer to document that this happening although I'm loathe to set foot in one.

Here's a photo of the noisy junction box taken from behind the rear right tire:

Here's a cloud link to the same photo full sized and a video with sound:
Rear junction box Video with sound
Many thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!

 

[empty80]

That’s the charcoal canister. It operates when it wants to, and that’s normal behavior. It is moving/storing/filtering gas vapors.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

That’s the charcoal canister. It operates when it wants to, and that’s normal behavior. It is moving/storing/filtering gas vapors.

Oh good grief I had no idea. What a relief. I made a valiant try searching for the answer but found nothing. Thanks!

 

[bloc]

That thing is also why you shouldn't "top up" your fuel tank to the brim of the filler neck. Liquid fuel in it can ruin the assembly.

Some guys go as far as only filling to 3/4 or less when they plan to do really steep trails such as in Moab.

 

[FrazzledHunter]

That thing is also why you shouldn't "top up" your fuel tank to the brim of the filler neck. Liquid fuel in it can ruin the assembly.

Some guys go as far as only filling to 3/4 or less when they plan to do really steep trails such as in Moab.

I have never topped off the fuel tank since I've owned it. I just let the pump cut off when it decides to. The reason I do this is that I keep very detailed fuel records for tracking mileage (yeah I know the truck does that but I'm old-school) and odometer readings by date; so topping it off would be counter to this.

However, I have no idea what preceded me as I got the car as a never-titled leftover with 6300 miles on it.

This really took me by surprise as I've never owned a car that normally made this kind of sound and I also don't recall seeing anyone talking about it in here. I guess the point for me is that if I hear sounds like this coming from a car, especially one that's off, then I automatically assume it's a VERY bad thing.

Would I perhaps need to get this fuel canister checked out while it's still under warranty?

 

[CharlieS]

Yeah, it is weird. Our former 4Runner used to do it at the most random times while I was working on other things in the garage. My wife's CRV does it all the time. I haven't noticed the cruiser doing it yet, but I'm sure it does it too.

 

[gaijin]

Would I perhaps need to get this fuel canister checked out while it's still under warranty?

The noise is normal. Perfectly normal. Absolutely normal. All of our Land Cruisers make the noise. If you did NOT have the noise it would be bad.

There is no need to have it "checked out." Don't worry, be happy

 

[FrazzledHunter]

The noise is normal. Perfectly normal. Absolutely normal. All of our Land Cruisers make the noise. If you did NOT have the noise it would be bad.

There is no need to have it "checked out." Don't worry, be happy

Got it. Many thanks.

 

[JS22STL]

I asked the same question when i bought my 16. glad i wasn't the only one !

 

[bloc]

I have never topped off the fuel tank since I've owned it. I just let the pump cut off when it decides to. The reason I do this is that I keep very detailed fuel records for tracking mileage (yeah I know the truck does that but I'm old-school) and odometer readings by date; so topping it off would be counter to this.

However, I have no idea what preceded me as I got the car as a never-titled leftover with 6300 miles on it.

This really took me by surprise as I've never owned a car that normally made this kind of sound and I also don't recall seeing anyone talking about it in here. I guess the point for me is that if I hear sounds like this coming from a car, especially one that's off, then I automatically assume it's a VERY bad thing.

Would I perhaps need to get this fuel canister checked out while it's still under warranty?

Sorry if I wasn’t clear, not at all saying you have issues with yours. Just spreading info on how to keep it in good shape.