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Constant Bell Dinging On Startup

Reidan

Full Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2003
Messages
523
Location
Lawrenceville, Ga.
Got an unusual problem to ask about. Several times now when I have left work and started my AV I have had a constant bell ding go off. It does it randomly, I have had the truck less than 2 months and it has only done it 3 times with a week or more in between the times.

When it happens there are no messages on the LED Display on the console. No idiot lights are lit up. The gauges all read normal for oil pressure and voltage. Engine is cold so temp is all the way down. And gas tank has been nowhere near empty.

I have gotten out and walked around to check to see if a door is open and they have not been. Besides, when a door is ajar the display will tell me so.

The engine is running fine when it happens, no misfires and sputtering, or anything and it drives fine. Everything seems normal, just the annoying dinging.

Eventually the dinging does stop. Yesterday it happened again and it lasted about 3 minutes. I work real close to the dealership I bought it from, less than 2 miles. I almost made it there before it stopped.

I know that if I take it to the dealer they are not going to be able to find the problem unless it does it while they have it in their possession. Since it happens so infrequently that is not likely to happen. Anyone here have a similar experience? If so, what was the solution?

I did search the archive for previous post on this topic and did not find any. No luck.

Thanks guys,
Reidan

 
Almost forgot. Turning the ignition off and back on does not stop it. Can not remember if I had the door open when I turned off ignition or not, so the power staying on for radio and lights may have been involved somehow.

Reidan
 
Another note. Yesterday when I checked to see if the doors where open I had left the motor running. But, I had the windows down so that I could hear if it had stopped.

Reidan
 
I really don't know and just have one guess. You do know that if you have your turn signal on for to long it will ding? Well I am wondering if you were to shut off the AV with the turn signal on then start it after work if the timer would set off the ding? Just a thought, it has not happened to me.

Butch
 
Hi guys. Thanks for the reply. I have tried the turn signal since I knew about the dinging when you leave it on to long. Can not remember specifically what I have done with the seat belts. I do not have a specific routine for buckle first then crank engine, or crank engine and then buckle. If it happens again I will try to see if the status of the buckle has anything to do with it.

In the mean time, anyone else had this problem or have any other insights I can try next time it happens?

Thanks again,
Reidan

 
Reidan said:
In the mean time, anyone else had this problem or have any other insights I can try next time it happens?
I have never had this happen, and I don't recall it ever being discussed here. You've got a freaky situation on your hands, and this is going to be a tough one to track down.

You already have some good suggestions on things to look out for. On the idea of the seatbelts, I wonder if you might have a bad switch or loose wire that is tricking the system into thinking your seatbelt is not fastened? I have never tried driving without the seatbelt. Anybody know how long the chime dings if you don't put on your seatbelt? I thought it only chimed for a few seconds, and if this is true, that would mean that it's probably not seatbelt related.

How many things can cause the chime to ding? Off the top of my head I can think of these:
  • Unfastened seatbelt
  • Key in ignition and driver door open
  • Ignition off and parking/head lights on
  • Turn signal left on too long
Anybody know of any other reasons it might ding? Maybe that will give some ideas as to why this is happening.

-- SS
 
ShapeShifter said:
Anybody know of any other reasons it might ding? Maybe that will give some ideas as to why this is happening.

-- SS

Someone at the front door >:D
 
Door Ajar dings once you start the vehicle, maybe you have a problem in that system somewhere that is ringing the dinger because of a bad door sensor but not lighting the dash warning?

 
Reidan, You may be able to narrow it down with the info below (notice that there are 4 different chime rates in the 2003)...This is direct from the tech manual:

Audible Warnings Description and Operation

The body control module (BCM) produces four audible warnings to alert the driver of a system concern or a critical vehicle condition. If multiple audible warnings requests are received at the same time, the warning with the highest priority will sound first. The following lists the audible warning priority and pulse rate:

Fast rate chime (150 pulses per min)
Medium rate chime (100 pulses per min)
Slow rate chime (50 pulses per min)
Turn Signal reminder (will pulse @ turn signal flasher rate)

Door Ajar Warning
The chime producer activates the door ajar audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the chime producer indicating the chime duration, 4 pulses. The door ajar warning sounds and the appropriate DOOR AJAR indicator illuminates in the Driver Information Center when the following occurs:

The body control module (BCM) determines that a door; driver door, passenger door, left rear door, right rear door, is open, signal is low. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the BCM indicating the door ajar status.
The vehicle is not in park. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the gear position.
The vehicle speed is greater than 8.05 km/h (5 mph). The IPC uses the vehicle speed signal circuit , 4000 pulses/mile, from the PCM in order to calculate the vehicle speed.

Fasten Safety Belt Warning
The body control module (BCM) senses that the driver's seat belt is not buckled and the signal is low. The BCM sends a class 2 message to the IPC requesting illumination of the seat belt indicator. The BCM seat belt chime sounds at the rate of 50 pulses per minute, slow rate chime, for a duration of approximately 6 seconds. The fasten safety belt warning sounds and the seat belt indicator illuminates when the following occurs:

Ignition switch transitions to ON.
The seat belt switch signal to the BCM is low.
If the seat belt is buckled when the ignition is turned ON, the chime will not sound. If the seat belt is buckled while the chime is sounding, the chime stops.

Key-In-Ignition Warning
When the BCM detects the key is in the ignition and the signal is low with the driver door open, it activates an audible warning. The key-in-ignition chime sounds at the rate of 100 pulses per minute, medium rate chime, until the driver door is closed or the key removed from the ignition switch. The BCM activates the key-in-ignition warning when all of the following occurs:

The ignition switch is OFF.
The key-in-ignition switch signal is low.
The driver door jamb switch signal is low with the driver door open.

Lights On Chime
The BCM will activate an audible warning as a reminder that the headlamps are left ON when exiting the vehicle with the ignition switch in the OFF position. The lights on warning sounds at the rate of 150 pulses per minute, fast rate chime, until the headlamp switch is turned OFF. The BCM receives a signal from the headlamp and panel dimmer switch via the headlamp relay. The BCM activates the lights on warning chime when the following occurs:

The ignition is OFF.
The park lamp switch input is active.
The dimming potentiometer input is not in a maximum dimming state.

Turn Signal Warning
The BCM activates an audible warning as a reminder that the turn signal has been on for a distance of more than 1.20 km (0.75 mi). The BCM receives the vehicle speed and distance via the vehicle speed signal circuit. The turn signal chime will use a tone that is synchronized with the turn signal flasher. The BCM will activate the turn signal chime when the following occurs:

The ignition is ON.
Left or right turn signal switch is ON.
The vehicle has traveled further than 1.20 km (0.75 mi).

Park Brake Chime
The BCM activates the park brake chime when the park brake is engaged and the signal circuit is low and vehicle is driven for at least 3 seconds at a speed above 4.8 km/h (3 mph). The chime will sound at the rate of 150 pulses per minute, fast rate chime. The park brake indicator will flash for any distance the vehicle is driven every half second until the park brake is no longer engaged.

Additional Warnings
The following warnings have an associated IPC indicator or DIC indicator:
  • Engine Overheated Stop Engine- The chime producer activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration, continuous.
  • Ice Possible -The chime producer activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration.
  • Liftgate Ajar / Rear Access Open -The chime producer activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration, 4 pulses.
  • Low Fuel -The chime producer activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency, medium rate, and duration, 4 pulses.
  • Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine -The chime producer activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration, continuous.
  • Overspeed / Vehicle Overspeed- The chime producer activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration, continuous.
  • Reduced Engine Power- The chime producer activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration .
  • Service Stability System -The chime producer activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration .
  • Stability System Disabled- The chime producer activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration .
  • Trans Hot Idle Engine- The chime producer activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration, continuous.
 
ShapeShifter said:
Very helpful. :rolleyes:

Now run outside and play in traffic. >:D

-- SS

I twies to hep....... :2: >:D
 
Here is another idea. :0:

On my 2002, when I want to listen to the radio with the doors open, the chime is annoying with the driver's door open.

I learned on this site to flip the door latch in the driver's door (when the door is open) to turn off the chime. Pull on the outside door handle to reset the latch.

So.... it seems that there is some switch inside the door latch. Maybe your switch is not working properly and your Av always thinks your door is open?
 
Hi Guys. I have not had the dinging happen again since earlier this week so I have not found the cause yet.

That is some excellent information you have given me WesTexAVY. I am sure it will come in helpfull in the diagnosis. Trying to replay the sound of the dinging in my head I think it was a medium rate chime. It was not fast enough to be the fast rate chime, and I am fairly sure it is faster than the slow rate chime.

I know it is not the turn signal warning or the key in ignition warning. Also, not headlight warning as it does not come on until the engine is running.

Here is a question for you guys. Does the computer store codes for error messages like this? If so, is there a flash code chart for the AV.

On my old 93 Silverado I had a little metal key from Autozone that I could stick into the computer access port and it would flash codes with the check engine light. Does the AV have a system like this? Or, does it require a dealer to read the codes?

Thanks alot guys,
Reidan
 
The easiest way to read the codes on an '03 is to push that little OnStar button and ask the nice attendant to check them for you....


SJP-=
 
Hey GoldBowTie and whoever helped you:

Thanks for telling me how to listen to my radio with the door open. I looked everywhere for how to do that and was even gonna post a question. I knew there had to be a switch somewhere. Now I found this thread and thanks to all I can actually listen to the radio while waxing (zainoing) my AV.

God I love this site...... :love:

Off to search for solutions to other problems. (y)

Rainman
 
Rainman0901 said:
Hey GoldBowTie and whoever helped you:

Thanks for telling me how to listen to my radio with the door open.

Rainman

You are very welcome.

I'm not sure, but I think it was wonder91178 who posted the tip when I first found it.
 
Glad to see this thread has not died. My Av has not done this again since I made this first post. I would like to think that it is gone, but I am sure that it is just waiting for me to forget about it so that it can spring on my again!! :eek:

Reidan

 
I have had a similar problem. My '02 2500 has about 15000 miles and the dinging problem has reappeared several times over the months. Usually, it happens when I'm driving down the highway with nothing else going on. It does appear to be associated with the turn signal alarm. Often, the ringing appears when I use the turn signal to indicate for an off ramp. I can turn the noise off by turning the indicator off. Then, turn the dinging back on by turning the indicator on. This happened about once a month.
Solution?!?
I brought the Avalanche in for an apparently unrelated problem (squealing belt) and asked the dealer to look into the dinging. Of course, they thought I was 'dingy' myself and said they couldn't find anything wrong with the chime system. However, in troubleshooting the squeal, they decided that the alternator shaft was slightly bent. They swapped out the alternator and the belt. No sqeal and no dinging!
Hope this help.
 
This from an old motor head it just could be that your flex plate is starting to crack and go's away when the motor warms up, but over time it WELL get worse if it keeps up have it looked at
my two cents worth
 
Hello Guys. This is an old thread I started a long time ago. I just wanted to pop-in and let you know that it still does it and I have never found the cause or the cure. It might be months in between, but every so often after cranking the engine the dinger goes nuts for about a minute and then it will suddenly stop for no reason. Opening and closing doors, checking seat belts, turns signals, parking brake, etc, nothing effects it.

Reidan
 
Hello Guys. This is an old thread I started a long time ago. I just wanted to pop-in and let you know that it still does it and I have never found the cause or the cure. It might be months in between, but every so often after cranking the engine the dinger goes nuts for about a minute and then it will suddenly stop for no reason. Opening and closing doors, checking seat belts, turns signals, parking brake, etc, nothing effects it.

Reidan
Got an unusual problem to ask about. Several times now when I have left work and started my AV I have had a constant bell ding go off. It does it randomly, I have had the truck less than 2 months and it has only done it 3 times with a week or more in between the times.

When it happens there are no messages on the LED Display on the console. No idiot lights are lit up. The gauges all read normal for oil pressure and voltage. Engine is cold so temp is all the way down. And gas tank has been nowhere near empty.

I have gotten out and walked around to check to see if a door is open and they have not been. Besides, when a door is ajar the display will tell me so.

The engine is running fine when it happens, no misfires and sputtering, or anything and it drives fine. Everything seems normal, just the annoying dinging.

Eventually the dinging does stop. Yesterday it happened again and it lasted about 3 minutes. I work real close to the dealership I bought it from, less than 2 miles. I almost made it there before it stopped.

I know that if I take it to the dealer they are not going to be able to find the problem unless it does it while they have it in their possession. Since it happens so infrequently that is not likely to happen. Anyone here have a similar experience? If so, what was the solution?

I did search the archive for previous post on this topic and did not find any. No luck.

Thanks guys,
Reidan
Have u checked if your parking brake is engaged? I know this thread is old but I REALLY appreciate guys like y'all/us, and I wanna help. I pretty much had the exact same scenario happen to a buddy of mine and it turns out THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED THE WHOLE TIME. It was only engaged just a few clicks, not enough to engage the brakes but enough to trip the park brake sensor. For whatever reason the brake light never illuminated, which is what threw me off. Only dings while you're rolling. ...past 3mph for 3 seconds. About 3 times a sec. ASE certified master tech here btw but yeah, that's what it was. Hope this helps somebody. :D
 
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