Chime/buzzer Dodge Pickup R1500

DESCRIPTION

A chime warning system is standard factory-installed equipment on this model. The chime warning system uses a single chime tone generator that is integral to the instrument cluster to provide an audible indication of various vehicle conditions that may require the attention of the vehicle operator. The chime warning system includes the following major components, which are described in further detail elsewhere in this service information

1. Door Ajar Switch - A door ajar switch is integral to each door latch. This switch provides an input to the chime warning system indicating whether the front doors are open or closed.
2. Ignition Switch - A key-in ignition switch is integral to the ignition switch. The key-in ignition switch provides an input to the chime warning system indicating whether a key is present in the ignition lock cylinder.
3. Instrument Cluster - The instrument cluster contains an integral chime tone generator, integrated circuitry, a central processing unit and the programming to provide all of the proper chime warning system features based upon the monitored inputs. The instrument cluster circuitry monitors hard-wired switch inputs, as well as message inputs received from other vehicle electronic modules on the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus network.
4. Headlamp Switch - The headlamp switch provides an input to the chime warning system indicating when the exterior lamps are turned On or Off.
5. Seat Belt Switch - A seat belt switch is integral to the driver seat belt buckle-half unit. The seat belt switch provides an input to the chime warning system indicating whether the driver seat belt is fastened.

Hard wired circuitry connects many of the chime warning system components to each other through the electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by many different methods. Refer to appropriate SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS article.

The instrument cluster chime warning system circuitry and the integral chime tone generator cannot be adjusted or repaired. If the instrument cluster or the chime tone generator are damaged or faulty, the instrument cluster must be replaced.

OPERATION

The chime warning system is designed to provide an audible output as an indication of various conditions that may require the attention or awareness of the vehicle operator. The chime warning system components operate on battery voltage received through the Ignition-Off Draw (IOD) fuse in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) so that the system may operate regardless of the ignition switch position.

The chime warning system provides an audible warning to the vehicle operator under the following conditions

1. Air Bag Warning - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate a single chime tone when the airbag indicator is illuminated for an airbag system fault condition. The instrument cluster uses airbag indicator lamp-on and lamp-off message inputs received from the Airbag Control Module (ACM) over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus indicating that the airbag indicator should be illuminated for an airbag system fault condition.
2. Door Ajar Warning - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate a single chimes to announce that the hard wired inputs from the door ajar switches and the ignition switch as well as an engine speed message input received from the PCM over the PCI data bus indicate that a driver or passenger door is opened with the ignition switch in the On position and vehicle speed present.
3. Engine Coolant Temperature High Warning (Diesel Engine Only) - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate a single chime tone when the check gauges indicator is illuminated for a high or critical engine coolant temperature condition. The instrument cluster uses engine coolant temperature message inputs received from the diesel Engine Control Module (ECM) over the PCI data bus to illuminate the check gauges indicator for a coolant temperature high condition.
4. Fasten Seat Belt Warning - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate each time the ignition switch is turned to the On or Start positions to announce that the hard wired inputs from the seat belt switch and the ignition switch indicate that the driver side front seat belt is not fastened. The chimes will continue to sound for a duration of about six seconds, until the driver side front seat belt is fastened, or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs first.
5. Head/Park Lamps-On Warning - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate to announce that the hard wired inputs from the driver door ajar switch, the ignition switch, and the exterior lighting circuitry of the headlamp switch indicate that the exterior lamps are turned On with the driver door opened and the ignition switch in the Off position. The chimes will continue to sound until the exterior lamps are turned Off, the driver door is closed, or the ignition switch is turned to the On position, or the battery protection time-out expires, whichever occurs first.
6. Key-In-Ignition Warning - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate to announce that the hard wired inputs from the driver door ajar switch, the ignition switch, and the key-in ignition circuitry of the ignition switch indicate that the key is in the ignition lock cylinder with the driver door opened and the ignition switch in the Off position. The chimes will continue to sound until the key is removed from the ignition lock cylinder, the driver door is closed, or the ignition switch is turned to the On position, whichever occurs first.
7. Low Fuel Warning - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate one chime tone when the low fuel indicator is illuminated by the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster uses a percent tank full message input received from the PCM over the PCI data bus indicating that there is less than about one-eighth tank of fuel remaining to illuminate the low fuel indicator. This chime feature will only occur once in an ignition cycle.
8. Low Oil Pressure Warning (Diesel Engine Only) - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a fast rate when the check gauges indicator is illuminated for a low oil pressure condition. The instrument cluster uses engine speed and oil pressure message inputs received from the diesel Engine Control Module (ECM) over the PCI data bus indicating that the engine is running and that the oil pressure is low to illuminate the check gauges indicator. The chimes will continue to sound for five seconds, until the engine oil pressure message indicates that the oil pressure is not low, or until the engine speed message indicates that the engine is not running, whichever occurs first. This chime tone will only occur once in an ignition cycle.
9. Low Wash Warning - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate one chime tone when the low washer fluid indicator is illuminated by the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster uses a message input received from the Front Control Module (FCM) over the PCI data bus indicating that washer fluid level is low within the washer reservoir. This chime feature will only occur once in an ignition cycle.
10. Overspeed Warning - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate one chime tone to announce that a vehicle speed message input received from the PCM over the PCI data bus indicates that the vehicle speed is above a pre-programmed limit.
11. Park Brake Reminder - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate ten repetitive chimes at a slow rate to announce that the hard wired input from the park brake switch and a vehicle speed message input received from the PCM over the PCI data bus indicates that the park brake is applied and the vehicle is moving. This chime feature will repeat each time the input conditions are met.
12. Sentry Key Immobilizer System "Customer Learn" Mode Announcement - This chime feature is only active on vehicles equipped with the optional Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS) and sold in markets where the optional "Customer Learn" programming feature is available. The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate one chime to announce that a status message input received from the Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) over the PCI data bus indicates that the SKIS is in the "Customer Learn" mode, which is used for programming additional sentry key transponders.
13. Transmission Temperature High Warning (Automatic Transmission only) - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate when the transmission temperature indicator is illuminated for a high or critical transmission fluid temperature condition. The instrument cluster uses transmission temperature message inputs received from the Transmission Control Module (TCM) over the PCI data bus to illuminate the indicator for a transmission temperature high condition.
14. Turn Signal On Warning - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate to announce that the hard vired input for the right or left turn signal indicator as well as vehicle distance and speed message inputs received from the PCM over the PCI data bus indicate that a turn signal has been active continuously for 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) with the vehicle speed greater than 22 kilometers-per-hour (15 miles-per hour). Vehicles built for markets other than the United States and Canada have a revised distance threshold of 4 kilometers for this feature. The chime will continue until the turn signal input becomes inactive, the status changes, or until the vehicle speed message indicates that the speed is less than 22 kilometers-per-hour (15 miles-per-hour), whichever occurs first. The hazard warning flashers will not activate this chime feature.
15. Warning Lamp Announcement - The instrument cluster chime tone generator will generate a single chime when the check gauges indicator is illuminated when any critical engine and transmission systems are out of their operating parameters. The instrument cluster uses system inputs received over the PCI data bus to illuminate the check gauges indicator.

The instrument cluster provides chime service for all available features in the chime warning system. The instrument cluster relies upon its internal programming, hard wired inputs from numerous switches, and electronic message inputs received from other electronic modules over the PCI data bus network. Upon receiving the proper inputs, the instrument cluster activates the integral chime tone generator to provide the audible chime to the vehicle operator. The chime tone generator in the instrument cluster is capable of producing single chime tones, or repeated chime tones at two different rates: about fifty chime tones per minute. or about 180 chime tones per minute. The internal programming of the instrument cluster determines the priority of each chime request input that is received, as well as the rate and duration of each chime that is to be generated.

The hard wired chime warning system inputs to the instrument cluster, as well as other hard wired circuits for this system may be diagnosed and tested using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. However, conventional diagnostic methods may not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the instrument cluster or the PCI data bus network. The most reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose the instrument cluster and the PCI data bus network inputs for the chime warning system requires the use of a DRBIII(R) scan tool. Refer to BODY DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES .

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CHIME WARNING SYSTEM

The chime warning system features driven by hard wired inputs to the instrument cluster may be diagnosed and tested using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. However, conventional diagnostic methods may not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the chime warning system features driven by message inputs to the instrument cluster over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus network. The most reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose the instrument cluster and the PCI data bus network inputs for the chime warning system requires the use of a DRBIII(R) scan tool. Refer to BODY DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES and appropriate SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS article.

PROBLEM SYMPTOM

See also:
• BODY DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES