Hi, I am new to the forum and need some help Im hoping to get here.
I just purchased a 97 aerostar for my business. Everything is great, it is my first aerostar and i like it very much.
The problem is that as soon as i put the key in the ignition and turn the chimes for the door ajar continuously go off, all the time, even while driving. My employee thinks it is something to do with the abs system or the airbag system, but we dont really know for sure.
I took out the drivers door switch and cleaned it and checked the dome light operation with all the doors and that works ok.

Does anyone know anything about this?? I know these fords sometimes have inherit troubles, so im hoping this is one with a quick fix.....Should i just disconnect the chime unit? I heard if i do that the electronic speedo doesnt work..?
Helllpppppp.......

 

king 244
I would check the back door latch,or the side door to make sure it is closeing properly. Back door latch on mine does this to me most of the time, but mine is a 93.

 

You may have a bad door switch. I do not recall if the Aerostar uses the same switch as F-Series & first generation Explorer, but this type has a slide sleeve that "customizes" itself to your application after you install it & close the door. Over time this sleeve can work loose & slide in too far, thus allowing the circuit to remain energized continuously. The switches are available at most parts stores for around $5.

dn.

 

ok, but wouldnt that mean that the dome light would e on?
which it isnt, just the chimes are on, the dome light is working as it should with the opening & closing of all the doors...

 

It could also be the ignition switch. Is it the same chime you get when you leave the door open & the key in the ignition?

Cheers,
Eric

 

Since your dome lamps are not staying on it sounds more like the circuit to the ignition switch. This is a black with pink tracer or hash marks that completes a circuit to ground to energize the chime when the key is in the ignition and the driver door is open.

Unless you feel the need to keep the "key in" warning feature the continuous chime condition can be resolved by removing this lead from the connector that attaches to the chime module itself. The "lights on" & "fasten belts" warnings will still work. I do not recall just where the chime is located on an Aerostar, but it is probably under the dash on the driver side somewhare near the accelerator pedal assembly. Just follow your ears!

If you wish to maintain this feature you might be able to fix it by rebending the contact tab that is in about the 10 o'clock position of the ignition lock cylinder receptacle. If the contact tab is broken you would need to replace it. NOTE: this can only be done with the lock cylinder removed.

To remove the lock cylinder place the key in the ignition & rotate to the "on" position. Below the switch is a hole in the column trim through which you can insert a pin punch (~1/4" diameter) to depress the pin that retains the lock cylinder in the column. If you have never done this before it can be a little tricky, but after you have done it once it is easier to know just where to press. After this pin is depressed the lock cylinder should slide right out. After making your repair reassemble in reverse order.

dn.

 

wow, thanks for all the info......i will get on that tomorrow... i will post to let anyone interested know the results.....thanks again...ed...

 

Thanks Donner, and all else who replied...
Donner, you pinned it exactly, once i did what u said it "fixed" the problem no more chiming...
Thanks a bunch.....

 

king244:

You are more than welcome. I know what it is like to be the one needing an answer to a repair question. Posting it here usually results in an answer within a day. That is the great thing about this site - sharing of info to help in the enjoyment & use of our trucks!


dn.

 

Digging up an old thread, but hey, it has an answer.

I am having the same problem. It started when I accidently tried to put in my chevy key into the iginition. The chip hit the metal and made a zap noise and all of the sudden the chime started going.

I tried using a couple spare keys to see if I could get it to stop and it hasn't. It is to the point where I giggle the key it will stop chiming, but if I turn on the headlights, off it goes again.

I will try this advice and see if it works for me too!

 

Take the module out. What happens? Noise stops. I took mine out 3 years ago. What happens? NO MORE NOISE. Won't this cause issues with the cruise or anything else? NO. I would know. Doors open-ajar!?!? So. If your have mirrors you can see if doors are closed. Module out is the way to go.

 

Instead of just cutting the wire (black/pinkish-purple) I just unplugged it from the module. Took about 10 minutes to do (they didn't want to come apart, and I was being carefull not to break anything.) I did think about cutting it, but maybe in the future I might want/need to repair the ignition switch and reconnect it.

BTW, Even with your head under the dash, it is still a pain to find with all of the echoing going on. So for future reference for you guys, it is a white plastic box just located about 3 inches in front of the fuse panel. It is about 3x5 inches and looks like something you would pull out of a talking teddie bear. It fairly easily pulls off of the interior frame that is hooked into, so once pulled, it is easier to try to disconect it.

 

Y-E-P Thats a big 10-4