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'97 Explorer XLT. When I take the key out, lights off and open the driver door the dinger keeps dinging. It doesn't have a "normal" button to activate the system, there is a cylinder thingy at the forward edge of the door that apparently controls the system. Question: How do I fix it? Or how do I disconnect the dinger?
Not sure how the 97 is designed, but I can tell you that on the 91-95's, there is a micro-switch in the key cylinder housing that activates the chimer when key is in the switch and door is opened. This switch has a small plastic tip that rides on the edge of the key and operates the switch contacts. The plastic is prone to breaking off over time and usage, and can jam in the contacts (as well as in the key cylinder itself). The only fix is to R&R the switch assembly which means pulling the steering wheel and exposing the cylinder mechanism.
If this it the ONLY problem you have, it is probably not worth the hassle unless you are REALLY annoyed by the chime.
On the early models, the chime mechanism is under the dash in the vacinity of the ashtray. You can simply disconnect the wiring harness to it to stop the chime.
Dialtone