While I was out and about today, running some errands, I parked, and then switched off the car like normal. When i did this, i heard a little beep, which didn't sound like the door/light chime. When I got to my next place, the car did it again, and that got me curious. I fiddled with the key in the ignition, and found when i was between the "RUN" and "OFF" positions, I was able to recreate the sound. With the door open, i could hear two distinct chimes, one from the door/light chime and one other chime. It beeped 5 times in 5 different pulses (a total of 25 beeps), and then it quit. I disconnected the door chime, and I located the sound to an aqua/torquoise colored box behind the door/light chime that had two different multi-wire connectors attached to it. What in the world is this box?

(ps- 94 Aero XLT, 3.0 shorty)

 

I'll be anxious to see the answer to this. My 94 XLT does it also. Even if I am parked, waiting for my wife in the grocery store, trying to listen to the radio, I get five sets of five chimes. And if it takes her longer than 30 minutes, I get another five sets of five chimes.

 

Didn't I read in the Owners Manual that five sets of five beeps or chimes is ABS self-test failure? I don't have either of my '93 OMs here, so I can't dbl-check, but ISTR reading that last week.

 

That would make sense, as two days ago, the airbag light started flashing 5+1 repeatedly. Didn't realize that the two might be related. Why the delay between the time of the airbag light two days ago and the chime today? I was going to do some research on the airbag light, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. Anyone know what the 5+1 means?

 

I haven't seen that in the OM. and about a year and a half ago, I had a bunch of work done on the ABS. The brakes are fine, and the ABS light works to spec. I'll look again, to be sure I haven't missed anything.

 

We once had a '94 Aerostar that chimed when shut off. Turned out to be a chime for the clock spring.

 

Sorry about my typo: I did not mean to type ABS, I meant SRS, the air bag system.

My '93 OM (pg 32) says:

Warning: A problem with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:

• the readiness light will either flash or stay lit,
• or it will not light when the key is turned on,
• or a group of five beeps will be heard

On the next page, it continues,

. . . However, a series of five sets of five beeps will be heard only if the readiness light doesn't work and there is a problem with the air bag system. This also means that the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is in need of service. The tone pattern will repeat (five sets of five beeps) periodically until the problem and light are repaired . . .

Is this possibly a clockspring problem?

 

I don't remember how many times it chimed, but I do know it was only when the van was turned off. Also, the airbag light was on constantly.

 

I don't know about the air bag bit. This van has had its air bag jump out twice, once when I started the van to come home after work and once while I was sitting in the shade waiting on my wife. I was just reading the newspaper, and SURPRISE! Nothing about that system would amaze me now, except the possibility of having it work correctly. I have replaced the clockspring and there was no change.

 

dave,
get a Ford Service manual or cd... there is a complete service section on SRS
Air Bag System Diagnostic Procedures

Most air bag system diagnostic procedures will require the use of the System Deactivation and System Reactivation Procedures outlined below. These procedures allow the removal of the air bags from the vehicle, removing the risk of air bag deployment while diagnostics are performed.

The Rotunda Air Bag Simulator 105-00010 is required to perform diagnostics and testing of the air bag system. The air bag simulator is a 2 ohm resistor that must be used to simulate an air bag connection in the system as specified in the deactivation procedure. It is not acceptable to jump the air bag connection with a zero ohm jumper wire. If a zero ohm jumper wire is used, a system fault may be displayed (Fault Code 34 or 35) according to the priority scheme.


Deactivation Procedure

1. Disconnect positive battery cable.

2. Wait one minute. This is the time required for backup power supply in diagnostic monitor to deplete its stored energy.

3. Remove four nut and washer assemblies retaining driver air bag module to steering wheel. Disconnect driver air bag connector. Connect air bag simulator to vehicle harness at top of steering wheel.

check your SRS sensors and wiring for damage and chaffing..the sensors work by grounding the air bag boom circuit so any chaffing to chassis will set off the air bag as long as the safing switch is activated by controller....it's a series circuit, batt + to safing switch>air bag ignitor>wiring>sensor switch>ground
BOOM
so either your sensor switches are corroded, damaged in accident or wiring from air bag to sensor is chaffed and grounding

from service manual
Three sensors are mounted in the vehicle. Their locations are as follows:

l A primary crash sensor at the center radiator support.

l A primary crash sensor at the right cowl side panel.

l A safing sensor at the left cowl side in the passenger compartment.

 

Could it still be a clockspring problem if both the horn and the cruise still work, no problem? I would assume that if the clockspring were shot, all three systems would be out of commision. Am I correct?

 

yes, could still be clockspring without the horn and cruise not being affected. 3 different wiring circuits insulated from each other in clockspring
are you getting any flash codes on SRS airbag light?

 

Flash code from Airbag light is 5+1.

 

Thanks, I have one, but the vehicle is running and this hasn't worked its way to the top of the crisis list. I think I will be on the vacation week list when I have a day to work on it, a day to find the parts I don't yet know I need, and a day to put it all back together. Given the issues I have already had with it, it wouldn't surprice me to open it up and find a wadded up newspaper instead of a real airbag.

Thanks for the activate/deactivate info, too. Maybe I can fix it without having a third airbag go off in my face.

 

I think it's interesting that, when searching JYs via car-part.com, there are hundreds of used airbags available ($10 to over $300), but only ONE clockspring in the US.

Tells me something.
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There does not appear to be a code 51 in the SRS system list in the FSM. 52 & 53 yes, but no 51.