When ever I open the door the door chime goes off. No matter if I have the key in or not. The chime changes to a slower frequency if I put the key in.

 

I am not sure what all makes the door chime fast or slow, but I think the fast one is for a "lights on" condition.

 

Funny, There is no chime when the lights are on and the key is on. I kind of suspected that it was the lights. I am assuming there is a wire on the light switch that controls that. Does anyone have any experience with the light switch? I could not find anything about the chimes in the books.

 

Hmmm,,, No bites on this one.

Well my next thought is to disable the chime. I noticed that there is a way to disable the seatbelt chime along with some other devices like automatic window. So is there a way to disable the 'key in ignition' chime or the 'lights on' chime? If not what controls it?

Is it the computer module? Do I need to replace the computer?

There has got to be something I can do. It is driving me up the wall.

 

I am looking in the EVTM for my 1997 Mountaineer, this might be close enough to your 98 Explorer. In it it shows that the chime decision functions are handled by inputs to the GEM (generic electronic module). I can also not locate a distinct chime unit as an ouput so I am forced to assume that it is part of the GEM functions.

The EVTM says that, "the module will sound a warning if the key if left in the ignition, seat belt not bucked, headlamps are on or door ajar."

From what you typed the door sensors seem to work. It then referenced me to the workshop manual for troubleshooting. Looking there:

So that seems to say that the slower tone you are hearing for the key in the ignition is not it, so as LV Dan suggested it appears to be the lights on warning that you are getting.

Going back to the EVTM I see that this is an input to the GEM from the head lamp switch.

The wire going to the EVTM is the white/black from the switch. When it is high (12V) it indicates that there the lights are on to the GEM.

So, you might have a bad switch. The switch is fed from two fuses, which you might be able to pull and thus stop it from sending 12V to the GEM to test the theory. The first fuse is in the power distribution box (engine compartment) and is #4 (20A maxi) and the second is in the interior fuse panel and is #3 (15A mini).

I would play with those and see what happens.

As I said, this info is from the manuals for my 97 Mountaineer, so your mileage may vary with the information provided.

Good luck.
-John B

 

Thank you very much. This is the most information I have received yet. I did find some info on another site.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums...light=chime+key

 

I had the same prob w/ my 97 F250 - it was a loose wire in the steering column, the one that attaches to the ignition cylinder lock - it was grounded out so anytime a positive was sent to the system (i.e. door open, or key in the ignition) it would chime. Took me about three hours to figure it out (after I dismantled my steering column) - BUT - if you detach that wire (clips into place) and wrap some electrical tape around the contacts - Vuala! - No More Dingy!

 

That is exactly what I did. I took the bottom of the steering column cover off and pulled out the blue connector and taped it up.

No more anoying chime and all the other chimes work now. All except the 'key in ingnition' which doesn't matter too much since I still have the keypad on the door to open the car with. But what it does mean is that the 'headlights on' warning works, which is good, because I already left my lights on once all day long and had to have AAA come jump it.

Thanks for the input