my front electric motor seems to be getting louder lately. Anyone have any idea what might be going on? Almost 130k miles , been running great so far. Any help or ideas would be really appreciated. Recently bought a new battery, tires about 2 years old.

 

Battery as in?
Check inverter fluid level. Same fluid cools down motor generators.
You have 2 motor generators and inverter pump that all can produce noise.
What made you believe it's actually a motor? I owned hybrids for almost 8 years, never really heard them make any noise.

 

[QUOTE=ukrkoz;10248540]Battery as in?
Check inverter fluid level. Same fluid cools down motor generators.
You have 2 motor generators and inverter pump that all can produce noise.
What made you believe it's actually a motor? I owned hybrids for almost 8 years, never really heard them make any noise.

Yes.. the battery is installed.
I am not sure actually what it is. I am guessing its the motor as it seems like its coming from the area underneath my left foot. One the display on the dash it shows that motor in that area. Where do I check the inverter fluid level? I have never done anything like that in the 6 years I've owned my car so I am worried now that something might be seriously wrong. Is that something I should check on a regular basis?

 

You have two batteries. 12V battery and hybrid battery. Which one was replaced?
PSD, Power Split Device, which is transmission on hybrids, indeed is front of the driver and down. You have two coolant canisters - one is for radiator coolant and one is for inverter coolant. Inverter coolant canister is right at the very top, perpendicular to the radiator and right next to the large cover that says "hybrid synergy drive". PSD is underneath that cover and inverter/coolant canister is above it, facing engine. There is Full mark on it, level should be right around that mark. Red or pink fluid.
2007 RX400H - see that canister in the upper right hand corner? White with black cap on it? That's inverter coolant. Yours might be different location, but they all look the same.
Go to post 7 here and click on picture:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-2nd-gen-2004-2009/821223-new-member-2007-rx400h-fluid-leak.html#&gid=1&pid=1

Motor generator makes a very faint noise when you decelerate, or step on brakes. It is faint whine. Rather hard to hear. That's when generator generates electricity and I always liked that sound, told me that everything is working like it should.
So if something goes wrong with motor, that whine should become likely much louder. Any chance you can record it and post here?The noise, I mean? It is very hard to judge otherwise.

 

UPDATE !! I took my rx400h to the dealer and the tech diagnosed my troubles instantly. It was a wheel bearing.. front drivers side. Cost me $888.83 for the parts, labor and an alignment. I'm happy now because it's quiet as a church mouse again!!

 

UPDATE !! I took my rx400h to the dealer and the tech diagnosed my troubles instantly. It was a wheel bearing.. front drivers side. Cost me $888.83 for the parts, labor and an alignment. I'm happy now because it's quiet as a church mouse again!!

 

Good. Though very overpriced vs iindi shop, it's MUCH less than any repairs related to motor generators etc.

 

holy crap. I think I need to get mine changed, but $900!!!! on ONE SIDE?

I remember changing the hub and bearing my G35.. cost me $120 for parts.. i did it myself, but not doing that rodeo again.