Kona EV Loud intermittent rattling noise from under the hood.

E

Ed.

New Member
This afternoon, after a commercial charge, a loud rattle sound comes from the driver side of the engine compartment. The noise lasts for 17 seconds, followed by silence for 13 seconds, etc.
The noise starts after I start the car, when it stands still.
I'm not sure if the noise persists during driving due to road noises.
I wanted to ask if anyone has had the same problem and if it is safe to drive back home.
 
Ed. said:
This afternoon, after a commercial charge, a loud rattle sound comes from the driver side of the engine compartment. The noise lasts for 17 seconds, followed by silence for 13 seconds, etc.
The noise starts after I start the car, when it stands still.
I'm not sure if the noise persists during driving due to road noises.
I wanted to ask if anyone has had the same problem and if it is safe to drive back home.
Click to expand...
This would be the first report of this nature. Did you open the hood and look around or try to locate exactly where it occurred?
Maybe a coolant pump on the fritz, try to include a sound clip or video also include Model year.
Also if error warnings displayed on dash;)
 
Thank you for your helpful reply, ElectricEddy !
The noise appears to originate from the lower (deeper) part, of the engine compartment, left (driver) side of the electric motor.
I recorded the noise but I couldn't attach it: .Wav file format not allowed ...
 
Model Kona EV. 2019
No indicators on dashboard.
It could indeed be a coolant pump.
If that's the case, can I drive it for 200 miles to my dealer ?
 
Ed. said:
lower (deeper) part, of the engine compartment, left (driver)
Click to expand...
Ed. said:
Model Kona EV. 2019
can I drive it for 200 miles to my dealer ?
Click to expand...
Here are pictures of the 2 pumps:
index.php

index.php

One cools traction battery and the other electronics. Sounds like the left side (electronics-inverter, LVDC etc) might be the one in question (if indeed that is the issue) so it would be anybody's guess as to when the "rattle" will develop into a total failure.
I would be cautious when you drive the vehicle to the service center and keep an eye out for any errors displayed. If the rattle continues all the way on your trip, that is not a bad thing, as it would indicate the unit is still operational and be easy to diagnose.
Nice and slow...maybe?
 
Thanks a LOT for your very helpful feedback, ElectricDave and KiwiMe !!
That makes a lot of sense.
I'll mozy homeward and keep an eagle's eye on the dash.
Wishing you a glorious day !
 
P.S. If it's the electronics cooling pump, would driving without AC help ?
Also, is it true that the Kona is designed to (partially) cool its main battery by taking in air from the front grill while driving ?
 
Ed. said:
This afternoon, after a commercial charge, a loud rattle sound comes from the driver side of the engine compartment. The noise lasts for 17 seconds, followed by silence for 13 seconds, etc.
The noise starts after I start the car, when it stands still.
I'm not sure if the noise persists during driving due to road noises.
I wanted to ask if anyone has had the same problem and if it is safe to drive back home.
Click to expand...
 
Following up with a partial conclusion:
I safely, but warmly, drove home without using the A/C and the noise did not return.
It therefore looks like you were both right on !
 
Sometimes my A/C compressor has made some funny rattly noises for a while and then sorted
itself out, sometimes *while* fast-charging as the cooling system kicks in. It probably has
something to do with the compressor self-adjusting to whatever the cooling load is.

_H*
 
This is great to hear, Hobbit ! :D
The noise started as soon as I started backing up after commercially fast-charging on a warm day (90s Fahrenheit) in the sun.
It makes sense that the cooling goes in overdrive to compensate for (the heat generated by) the fast-charging (on a warm day).
I'll turn on the A/C and check if the noise comes back.
I hope the problem was temporary, as in your case.
 
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