Buzzing Sound from the Dash Under the Drivers Steering Wheel 2011 FWD XLE

[wtzouris]

Hi everybody,

First of all I was in the manual and I noticed there is a totally hidden button down there. After you set tire pressures (cold, of course) you press and hold the Tire Pressure initialization button which is totally hidden on the 2011 models. The 2006 had it in plain sight.

Anyway, winter driving is here, (Cold mornings) and I notice when I drive my car in the morning for the first ten minutes or so I hear a rhythmic vibration or buzzing sound under the steering wheel area. Like a cell phone in vibrate mode. It goes away after a few minutes once the car is warmed up. Even the from passenger hears it. Do you think it is the Automatic Climate Control system doing something? (I suppose I could turn that off when I hear the buzz) It isn't the seat heaters, I though it might be a fuse buzzing.......... but somewhere down around there, like maybe the ABS system doing it's initial self-check? What are those grill holes below the ignition switch -- is that the Driver's side thermometer? It sounds like it's coming from there.

I remember my 2006 LE making some ABS noises. But that was when I was braking lightly.. I think this is happening when I am on the gas pedal. Anyway, it's happened about 25 times now and I'm getting used to it -- sort of. Just wondering anyone else hearing noises?

2011 Sienna XLE

William

[wtzouris]

the buzz under the steering wheel is as prominent as ever, is it cold weather related? I can turn the HVAC to OFF and I still hear it. Like 10 seconds on, 5 seconds off...

[dm1]

2011 model has electric motors for power steering, brakes + ABS + traction control. They are running by computer decision. I hear noise from traction control when accelerate on slippery road when wheels spinning and noise starts before related icon starts flashing.

[wtzouris]

This is when the car is stopped ( idling ).. Very obvious on cold mornings. Not the keychain, but near it.

[wtzouris]

BUZZZZZ.

It's getting worse,and it's audible to the front passenger as well--- we hear buzzing around or underneath the steering column area, maybe near the break pedal? Under light light braking, like barely touching the pedal braking, it sounds like our phones are vibrating, but they are not. It's a weird buzz in the dash. maybe around the OBDII port? It goes on and off with the cadence of a phone ringer, buzz on for 2 seconds, off for 2 seconds, on for 3 seconds, off for 3 seconds, etc.

Does anyone think I am hearing the automatic AC adjusting itself? I hear it even with the AC system OFF.

Anyone got this issue?

[newsienna]

did you find out what was causing the buzz. I get the same thing from my 2011.

[klruff1]

I'm resurrecting this post. I have been hearing this buzz from behind the kick panel under my steering wheel. Has anyone figured out what it is? I get it while the car is idleing or while driving. May have to pull the panel and see if I can locate where it is coming from.

[wongyun]

Hi guys, I've been having the symptom as well (buzzing under the steering wheel). Got it fixed. Finally managed to show the problem to Toyota (happens only during the winter and when the car is still warming up). Apparently the problem is due to a faulty brake booster valve, and the dealer said a search showed that early 2011 models had this problem. Part was replaced and the problem is now gone.

Aside: the problem does not appear to be a safety issue

[Gatorex]

I've had what I believe is the same issue occur twice before but I'm not sure if it was cold weather since I live in FL and we largely skipped winter this year. My incidents were somewhat different; the happened about 3 months apart and both times the vehicle was parked in our garage and I had gone back out to get something and heard the buzzing. On both occasions I restarted it for about 10-15 seconds and when I turned it back off the buzzing was gone.