Audible Warning Device: Description and Operation

CHIME TONE GENERATOR




The chime warning system uses a single chime tone generator that is integral to the Instrument Cluster to provide an audible indication of vehicle conditions that may require the attention of the vehicle operator. The chime warning system includes the following major components:
- Headlamp Switch
- Door Ajar Switch
- Seat Belt Switch
- Ignition Switch
- Instrument Cluster
- Coolant Level Sensor
- Fuel Level Sensor
- Washer Fluid Level Sensor

Hard wired circuitry connects many of the chime warning system components to each other through the electrical system of the vehicle.

If the Instrument Cluster or the chime tone generator are damaged or faulty, the Instrument Cluster assembly must be replaced.

The chime warning system components operate on battery voltage received through fuse 35 in the Underhood Accessory Fuse Block on a non-switched B(+) circuit so that the system may operate regardless of the ignition switch position.

The chime warning system provides an audible indication to the vehicle operator under the following conditions:
- Fasten Seat Belt Warning - The Instrument Cluster chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes to announce that an input from the seat belt switch indicates the driver side seat belt is not fastened. Unless the driver side seat belt is fastened, the chimes will continue to sound for a short duration each time the ignition switch is turned to the On position or until the driver side seat belt is fastened.
- Head/Park Lights-On Warning - The Instrument Cluster chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes to indicate that the exterior lamps are turned On with the driver side door opened. The chime will continue to sound until the exterior lamps are turned Off, the driver side door is closed, or the ignition switch is turned to the On position.
- Key-In-Ignition Warning - The Instrument Cluster chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a fast rate to indicate that the key is in the ignition cylinder with the driver side door opened and the ignition switch in the Off position. The chime will continue to sound until the key is removed from the ignition lock cylinder, the driver side door is closed, or the ignition switch is turned to the On position.
- Warning Beep Support - The Instrument Cluster chime tone generator will generate a short series of beeps to provide an audible alert to the vehicle operator of certain visual warning indications displayed by the Instrument Cluster. The Instrument Cluster provides chime tones for all available features in the chime warning system.

The Instrument Cluster relies upon message inputs received from other modules over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus network to provide chime tones for all of the remaining chime warning system features.

The internal programming of the Instrument Cluster determines the priority of each chime tone request input that is received, as well as the rate and duration of each chime tone that is to be generated.