What's wrong with my key buzzer wiring?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Maple Grove MN
What's wrong with my key buzzer wiring?
Hi,
The key buzzer of my '69 sounds every time I open my driver's side door, no matter whether the key is in ignition or not.
What could that be indicative of? And more importantly, how to fix it (besides disconnecting the wires at the buzzer or door switch).
Cheers!
pete
The key buzzer of my '69 sounds every time I open my driver's side door, no matter whether the key is in ignition or not.
What could that be indicative of? And more importantly, how to fix it (besides disconnecting the wires at the buzzer or door switch).
Cheers!
pete
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
Hi,
The key buzzer of my '69 sounds every time I open my driver's side door, no matter whether the key is in ignition or not.
What could that be indicative of? And more importantly, how to fix it (besides disconnecting the wires at the buzzer or door switch).
Cheers!
pete
The key buzzer of my '69 sounds every time I open my driver's side door, no matter whether the key is in ignition or not.
What could that be indicative of? And more importantly, how to fix it (besides disconnecting the wires at the buzzer or door switch).
Cheers!
pete
Is the driver's door the only one that activates the buzzer?
Is there any change in the sound of the buzzer when you insert the key into the ignition?
You may have a relay the has gone bad (under the radio in the console I think).
You may also have a short in the steering column with the key warning contacts.
cc
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Easton CT
I have a similar problem with my 69, and it appears to be the contacts on the ignition key. With the door open and the key in the off position, the buzzer sounds. If I then wiggle the key, I can get it to stop sounding. The problem is with the contact off the key switch inside the steering hub. This contact is in series with the door switch and provides a ground connection that goes to the horn relay, which in the 69 doubles as key warn buzzer. I will have to take the hub apart to fix it which I haven't got around to lately. I just pulled the wire connect to the buzzer and did without it for now.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Easton CT
Whoops, I mean it incorrectly sounds with no key installed or with the key in the ON position. It should only sound with the key in and off positon and door open. Wiggling the does fix it temporarily though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
From: Magic Valley ID
Must be a Corvette thing, because my 80 has quirky door buzzer things like that as well. The best suggestion that I could make, is to get a very clear wiring diagram and get an intimate knowledge of your vehicle's wiring. I absolutely HATE wiring, but once you start poring over it, it gets easier. Grounding is the most critical thing in a fiberglass bodied vehicle. Clean the switch contacts, and perhaps even replace the key switch. That's next on my list of to-do's...right after I get the heater blower fixed! Good luck! 
Trevor
Trevor
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
This is the address for a scan from a Saginaw Steering Service Bulletin. It describes how to trouble shoot the key buzzer.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...rDiagnosis.doc
Jim
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...rDiagnosis.doc
Jim
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 0
From: upstate N.Y.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Not really tied to the anti theft but when you open the door the 'door switch' makes a connection to ground for three wires:
#1 the courtesy lights wire
#2 the anti theft wire
#3 and the key buzzer wire.
More likely that your problem is in the steering column either the 'lock cylinder tab' or the 'buzzer' switch. See Jim Shea's papers. PG.
#1 the courtesy lights wire
#2 the anti theft wire
#3 and the key buzzer wire.
More likely that your problem is in the steering column either the 'lock cylinder tab' or the 'buzzer' switch. See Jim Shea's papers. PG.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
cc
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Hi,
The key buzzer of my '69 sounds every time I open my driver's side door, no matter whether the key is in ignition or not.
What could that be indicative of? And more importantly, how to fix it (besides disconnecting the wires at the buzzer or door switch).
Cheers!
pete
The key buzzer of my '69 sounds every time I open my driver's side door, no matter whether the key is in ignition or not.
What could that be indicative of? And more importantly, how to fix it (besides disconnecting the wires at the buzzer or door switch).
Cheers!
pete
The first thing I would do is unplug the pink/black wire from the horn relay.If this doesn't stop the buzzer then you have a problem in the relay. If it does stop it then your problem is in the wiring or column or key switch.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Maple Grove MN
Thanks! Always appreciate y'all's help.
The keyswitch may be the culprit.
A potentially related question: What indicator lights on the dash should be illuminated whan I turn the ignition on? The only one that I have illuminated is my e-brake light (if the e-brake is engaged).
Cheers!
pete
The keyswitch may be the culprit.
A potentially related question: What indicator lights on the dash should be illuminated whan I turn the ignition on? The only one that I have illuminated is my e-brake light (if the e-brake is engaged).
Cheers!
pete
