Strange noise after dealer service (1 Viewer)

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Jan 29, 2018
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Florida
I am hearing an intermittent noise in my 2016 LC that seems to be coming from behind the dashboard somewhere? It sounds like a pump or gear being driven, somewhere forward of the dash on the driver side. It lasts a few seconds and then stops, but it happens repeatedly. It could be in the engine bay but I can’t verify because it only lasts a few seconds. Any ideas?

I had the truck in for radiator fluid change, spark plugs/tune up, fuel injection cleaning and an oil change at 89,000 miles. The truck runs quieter at idle and seems smoother (I’m attributing to a switch to 5w30 oil and/or the fresh spark plugs). But now I’m hearing this grinding or pumping sound, intermittently, after startup and while driving. I’ve never noticed this before in the 7 years I’ve owned the truck. Any suggestions appreciated.
 
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A video would be very helpful.

Could it be related to braking? The brake accumulator in these trucks can be quite noisy, especially at start up. It would be something that you should have heard before… at least I would imagine.
 
Was your glovebox locked while at the dealer?

If not you should check for proper operation of the recirc flap via the access door in the glove box.
 
I’m trying to figure out how to upload a video here?

I now realize the sound is definitely brake related. When I start the vehicle this pump or gear sound can be heard for several seconds. In neutral, the sound repeats every other time I depress the brake pedal. It lasts for several seconds and then stops, until I press the pedal again twice.

This may be a part of normal operation but if so, the sound is much more noticeable than it ever was prior to this recent service. Does this make sense to anyone?
 
With that list of service, it makes no sense to me the brake accumulator should suddenly start making noise when you got the truck back. There have been numerous reports on here of noises behind the dashboard after dealer service caused by damage to the HVAC filter box as pointed out by @bloc . I think you should at least open up the cabin filter access door and confirm the recirc/fresh control flap is operating correctly. If it is, search for the TSB of HVAC servo issues that can also cause dash noises. Of course it could be brake related and just a coincidence with the service.
 
You'd generally need to upload the video to the big video services and copy/past a link into your post.. mud will embed it in your post as a playable tile.

These vehicles use a high pressure pump to force brake fluid under pressure into an accumulator that stores that pressure for the next brake use. So yes a pump running after nearly every brake press is normal. Usually it sounds like more of a hissing sound though.. or at least it has in the 200s I've been in.

Running after start is expected too since you have to press the brake for that start. Several seconds though..

Like @Sandroad said none of that work strikes me as impacting the brake system.

Try getting that video going. Though the sound I'm used to would be hard to capture without good audio equipment. It is subtle.
 
You'd generally need to upload the video to the big video services and copy/past a link into your post.. mud will embed it in your post as a playable tile.

These vehicles use a high pressure pump to force brake fluid under pressure into an accumulator that stores that pressure for the next brake use. So yes a pump running after nearly every brake press is normal. Usually it sounds like more of a hissing sound though.. or at least it has in the 200s I've been in.

Running after start is expected too since you have to press the brake for that start. Several seconds though..

Like @Sandroad said none of that work strikes me as impacting the brake system.

Try getting that video going. Though the sound I'm used to would be hard to capture without good audio equipment. It is subtle.
I am not very tech savvy in terms of uploading, and I try to avoid YouTube/Google which is the only easy option from my phone. I have a video with the sound recorded that I can text to anyone interested?

I checked the glove box and the filter door is fine. It is definitely associated with depressing the brake pedal. Any time I press hard on the brake the sound occurs.

It is possible this has been going on for awhile and I haven’t noticed with music playing etc. But it is quite noticeable and not something I would have missed for seven years of ownership.

Assuming it’s the brake actuator, would this be a sign of trouble? Brakes work fine.

EDIT: bloc, I know the hissing sound you are describing…and that hissing sound has been replaced with the louder sound I’m hearing now. No idea why the sound changed
 
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EDIT: bloc, I know the hissing sound you are describing…and that hissing sound has been replaced with the louder sound I’m hearing now. No idea why the sound changed

I'd ask the service department if they did anything that could impact the noise then. Tell them you understand that it is normal to make a little noise, but this is different.
 
The sound I’m hearing is lower in tone, not a squeaky sound, more like a gear or motor turning. But the normal (quiet) sound of the brake actuator has changed. I will reach out to the dealer on it on Monday.

Thanks for the advice from everyone
 
From my 20 plus years as a service advisor with Toyota I have witnessed this "new sound " phenomenon before. Not trying to be a jerk but many times the customer's awareness level of noises or feelings is heightened after a fairly involved service is done. They suddenly are paying more attention to the vehicle after the service. I can't tell you how many times I've had customers telling me they see a red light flashing on the dash when they walked by the vehicle. I would explain to them it's always done that as it's the security light flashing once the car is turned off. This is just one of many examples of what we call the "ever since" phenomenon after service.
 
From my 20 plus years as a service advisor with Toyota I have witnessed this "new sound " phenomenon before. Not trying to be a jerk but many times the customer's awareness level of noises or feelings is heightened after a fairly involved service is done. They suddenly are paying more attention to the vehicle after the service. I can't tell you how many times I've had customers telling me they see a red light flashing on the dash when they walked by the vehicle. I would explain to them it's always done that as it's the security light flashing once the car is turned off. This is just one of many examples of what we call the "ever since" phenomenon after service.
I stated previously that it’s possible this change happened prior to service, as I frequently have music on which makes the sound less noticeable. But I increasingly doubt that is the case. The sound is loud and pretty much impossible not to notice. My wife noticed it immediately. It is a dramatic change. Could it have started a day or two earlier? Possibly but I doubt it. It is the brake actuator, and it starts as soon as I start the car, before Bluetooth links or any music starts. Could it be coincidental timing? I suppose but obviously that is unlikely. I have driven (and babied) the truck for 7 years. I notice every sound, transmission shift etc that the truck makes.
 
I stated previously that it’s possible this change happened prior to service, as I frequently have music on which makes the sound less noticeable. But I increasingly doubt that is the case. The sound is loud and pretty much impossible not to notice. My wife noticed it immediately. It is a dramatic change. Could it have started a day or two earlier? Possibly but I doubt it. It is the brake actuator, and it starts as soon as I start the car, before Bluetooth links or any music starts. Could it be coincidental timing? I suppose but obviously that is unlikely. I have driven (and babied) the truck for 7 years. I notice every sound, transmission shift etc that the truck makes.
Ok yes I'm the same way with my lx570. For reference my 2000 100 series I had before this was even louder as far as that brake pump noise but for what it's worth was still rocking it's original at 320k miles when I sold her. I think your fine but I get it you most likely would have noticed it before the service.
 
I took the truck back to the dealership yesterday. I had the service advisor press the brake pedal and he immediately noticed the noise.

I got a call later that day, saying everything is working properly without fixing anything, and if the brake booster is louder than it was originally that I should live with it versus replacing expensive parts that are working. I resigned myself to living with a loud brake booster.

Then I picked up the truck, and the noise is completely gone. The truck sounds like new. I can barely hear when the brake booster is activated if I strain to hear it.

I’m happy it’s fixed, free of charge, but I’m left wondering if the tech discovered a mistake and fixed it quietly, or if inspecting the system somehow remedied the noise? Perhaps they tightened something that eliminated a vibration?
 

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