You know the chime that sounds when you go to leave the van and you've left your lights on? Well mine is working just the opposite. Ride down the road, turn on the lights and the chime comes on. Open the door and the chime stops. It sounds off whenever the lights are on. Anyone have an idea what's gone wrong?

Thanks

 

Could be a problem in the ignition switch. The engine might be on, but parts of the switch might think that your key is not in. It is the key removal that triggers the chime.

 

On my cars (87 Mustang and 90 Aerostar), I do not believe the key is involved in the alarm triggered by the exterior lights. I think it's just when you open the driver's door with the exterior lights on. I don't know if it's just sensing the lights being on, or the light switch being on. I would check the headlight switch. Maybe the later models got more intelligent so that they do not chime in these conditions when the key is also on.

The key-activated alarm comes on when there is a key in the switch and the door is opened, to warn you about leaving your key in the switch. Again, maybe the later models will not do this if the key switch is on.

 

Headlight switch was replaced in January. This problem just recently came up. Running or not, if the headlights are turned on with the driver's door shut, the chime comes on. Open the door, chime goes off.

 

Try spraying some WD40 on the Driver's Door latch mechanism. I have seen that correct several different door alert issues on several different types of Ford vehicles. Worth a try.