Key-in chime problem
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
Key-in chime problem
When I put my key in, sometimes I get a chime and sometimes not.
If I spray contact cleaner in the key slot to clean the contacts, will it hur my ignition?
If I spray contact cleaner in the key slot to clean the contacts, will it hur my ignition?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Walton KY
I don't think that is your problem. My chime only works when the car is cold. I have been told it is the relay for the chime. My headlight chime is the same way.
I would avoid spraying contact cleaner in the ignition, there is a remote chance it may damage the VATS.
I would avoid spraying contact cleaner in the ignition, there is a remote chance it may damage the VATS.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,234
Likes: 355
From: Albuquerque, NM
The problem is probably either the relay or the chime itself. Mine doesn't work sometimes. Bang on the top of the dash in the center with your hand; sometimes that fixes it for a little while.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,956
Likes: 706
From: WI
Mine does that to! I reeeeally like it! To bad it's not a factory option. In my old car I disconnected that damn bonger. In certain situations I enjoy listening to the radio with the door open and can't stand hearing "BONG BONG BONG" relentlessly! 
With mine I push the key in and jiggle it just a little, the bonger quits. I've worried a few times about it being a symptom of something more serious to come. Two years and no change yet!
Why would electrical cleaner damage the VATS?
With mine I push the key in and jiggle it just a little, the bonger quits. I've worried a few times about it being a symptom of something more serious to come. Two years and no change yet!
Why would electrical cleaner damage the VATS?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Aardwolf
Mine does that to! I reeeeally like it! To bad it's not a factory option. In my old car I disconnected that damn bonger. In certain situations I enjoy listening to the radio with the door open and can't stand hearing "BONG BONG BONG" relentlessly!
With mine I push the key in and jiggle it just a little, the bonger quits. I've worried a few times about it being a symptom of something more serious to come. Two years and no change yet!
Why would electrical cleaner damage the VATS?
With mine I push the key in and jiggle it just a little, the bonger quits. I've worried a few times about it being a symptom of something more serious to come. Two years and no change yet!
Why would electrical cleaner damage the VATS?
But, one of my many problems is I cannot program my PKE. And I have a new receiver and transmitter, but I have heard that if the PKE does not know that the key is in the ignition you cannot program the receiver.
I do not know why you cannot put contact cleaner either!!
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
GM quality woes... happened on ALL my gm cars, 92 cadillac, 01 camaro SS, and now my 96 CE. I like to be able to tug the key out in the ACC position so i can listen to the radio w door open like someone previously said.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 10
From: Lufkin Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
My 90 only chimes when key is put in with door open then stops when door is closed. It's so you dont lock the keys in. Are you sure this is not what your experiencing, sometimes door open,sometimes closed?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I just replaced the ign switch in my '88 and found a little reed switch which the key closes when inserted fully. When the system detects closure and the driver door is open the chime is activated.
The reed switch could be dirty, causing the intermittent problem or perhaps the lock has loosened so that the key sometimes closes the reed switch.
But spraying contact cleaner into the key opening isn't likely to get any of the cleaner fluid to the reed switch. That swtich is a PITA to access even with my tilt/tele wheel and I suspect it's more so with an air bag setup.
The reed switch could be dirty, causing the intermittent problem or perhaps the lock has loosened so that the key sometimes closes the reed switch.
But spraying contact cleaner into the key opening isn't likely to get any of the cleaner fluid to the reed switch. That swtich is a PITA to access even with my tilt/tele wheel and I suspect it's more so with an air bag setup.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
I am sure, a month ago I was working on my car with the keys in the ignition and all of a sudden the key reminder started sounding. I was putting in coolant at the time, so I know it wasn't what I was doing.
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
lights too
Hi,
I have a '94 C4 with a similar problem with the chimes. When i leave my lights on and open the door, the chimes only work with the car very cold, like in winter.
Could it be with the door switch?
I have heard this suggested for other cars and similar problem.
Thanks for the help!
Mike
I have a '94 C4 with a similar problem with the chimes. When i leave my lights on and open the door, the chimes only work with the car very cold, like in winter.
Could it be with the door switch?
I have heard this suggested for other cars and similar problem.
Thanks for the help!
Mike
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 12
From: Huntsvegas AL
Hi
My 91 used to have chimer problems too. I traced it to cold-solder joints on the chimer box itself (I would slight flex the connector in my hand and the chimer would start chiming).
I repaired it by resoldering the joints at the pcb. Hardest part is getting to it (top of dash has to come off.)
john
My 91 used to have chimer problems too. I traced it to cold-solder joints on the chimer box itself (I would slight flex the connector in my hand and the chimer would start chiming).
I repaired it by resoldering the joints at the pcb. Hardest part is getting to it (top of dash has to come off.)
john
