Audible Warning Device: Description and Operation

CHIME / BUZZER
The Chime Module is located within the instrument cluster. The chime system provides the driver with warning chimes for:
- Seat Belt
- Exterior Lamps ON
- Key-In Ignition
- Tire Pressure
- Dome Lamp ON
- Warning Lamp Announcement
- Turn Signal ON

The Chime Warning/Reminder System can be diagnosed using a DRB III scan tool. Refer to the proper Body Diagnostic Procedures manual for testing procedures and DRBIII(R) scan tool usage instructions.

CHIME SYSTEMS
The Chime System is an integral part of the Body Control Module (BCM) and provides the driver with two types of chimes, Warning and Announcement. The BCM monitors its hardwired inputs and CCD bus messages to determine when a chime is needed. The Warning Chimes are a dual tone chime for the following conditions: Seat Belt Unbuckled, Exterior Lamps On, Key-In Ignition, Critical tire pressure, and Dome Lamps On. The Announcement Chime is a single tone chime to warn the driver when an instrument cluster gauge is out of range or a warning lamp is on. Refer to the General Information System Description and Functional Operation for more information on the Instrument Cluster gauges and warning lamps.

During shipment (with the IOD fuse disconnected) the Warning and Announcement chimes will not work with the ignition key turned OFF.

WARNING CHIMES

Seat Belt Chime
The seat belt chime will sound for up to 8 seconds, when the ignition is turned ON and the driver's seat belt is unbuckled, as a reminder to the driver to buckle the seat belt. Buckling the driver's seat belt before the time out has expired will cause the chime to stop immediately. The seat belt lamp will stay on for 7 seconds even if the seat belt is buckled or stay on as long as the ignition key is on if the seat belt remains unbuckled.

Exterior Lamps On Chime
The Exterior Lamp On Chime will act as a warning to the driver that the exterior lights have been left on. If the ignition is OFF, the driver's door is open, and the park lamps or headlamps are ON, the chime will sound until one of the conditions is removed or until the battery protection timeout of 3 minutes.

Key-In Ignition Chime
The key-in Ignition Chime will act as a warning to the driver that the key has been left in the ignition. If the ignition is off and not in the accessory power position, the driver's door is open or ajar, and the key is in the ignition, the chime will sound until one of the conditions is removed or the battery protection timeout of 15 minutes has expired.

Courtesy Lamp On Chime
The Courtesy Lamp On Chime will act as a warning to the driver that the dome lamps have been left on. When the ignition is OFF, driver's door is open, and the dome lamps are ON, the chime will sound continuously until one of the conditions is removed or until the battery protection timeout of 15 minutes has expired.

Turn Signal On Chime
The Turn Signal On Chime will act as a warning to the driver that the turn signals have been left ON. When a level change is detected on the turn signal inputs to the BCM continuously for approximately 1 mile, and the vehicle speed is greater than 15 MPH, the chime will sound continuously until the turn signal inputs are no longer active. If vehicle speed drops below 15 MPH prior to the warning being activated the accumulated distance traveled will be reset. Chime rate is approximately 50 chimes per minute.

Airbag Warning Lamp Announcement Chime
The Airbag Warning Lamp is monitored by the BCM. If the engine exceeds 450 RPM for more than 10 seconds and the airbag warning lamp is ON, a single chime will be sounded. The chime will not be rearmed until the vehicle speed equals zero and the Airbag Warning Lamp is OFF.

Warning Lamp Announcement Chime
The Warning Lamp Announcement Chime will act as a warning to the driver to scan the instrument cluster to observe which lamp is illuminated. Whenever the check gauges, low fuel, low washer level, service engine soon, system voltage failure, or low tire pressure lamps are first illuminated, the chime will sound for one tone. If a door or the decklid is ajar, the chime will continue to sound until the item ajar is closed or the ignition is switched OFF.

The low tire pressure critical chime will sound with each flash of the low tire warning lamp.

During the first two seconds of the ignition on or until the seat belt warning chime ends, all announcement chimes will be consolidated into one warning announcement. This will occur two seconds after the seat belt warning chime ends. If a warning announcement should occur while a higher priority warning chime is in process, no additional warning lamp announcement chime will be given after the chime in process ends. All associated lamps will illuminate and the active chime will serve as the warning announcement.

In the case of the chime warning associated with the Service Engine Soon lamp, the chime will sound only the first illumination of this lamp. Any other condition that could normally activate the warning announcement associated with the service engine soon lamp will not reactivate the chime if the lamp is currently illuminated.

NOTE: If the CCD bus communication with the engine controller is lost, the BCM assumes a vehicle speed of 3 mph. This results in the door ajar warning tone being sounded immediately whenever a door becomes ajar.