No chimes after stereo install.

[Paul Higg]

I had a stereo installed by Best Buy and since then I do not have any lights left-on chimes, or seat belt chimes. Only twice when my wife and I have started it without the seat belts clicked we heard a split second chime sound.

Is there a way they could have messed up the chime module? I understand it is located behind the stereo. Any ideas?

Thanks, Paul

1994 LT1 coupe.

 

[air1jpg]

Can anyone confirm the chime module is behind the stereo? Mine went out for no appearent reason. :eyerole
Paul,
Did you ask someone at Best Buy about it? I would think they would be responsable for it.

 

[Paul Higg]

My mechanic at Corvette Country said it is a real pain to get to. You have to remove almost the entire dash, lower the steering column and have Congressional approval. What is weird is today when my wife and I were in the car it happened AGAIN! Seat belts weren't on when starting and BING, chime, and the sound came from directly behind the stereo head. I do not trust those guys at Best Buy anymore because they stole my locking lug nut tool and the lug nut wrench. I spoke with the manager and he said he'd refund my money at the tire place I had to go to have them removed. I have the special tools to remove the stereo so I will do it when I get a chance, I think they must have done something to the plug connecting the chime unit. I do not have the money to have it replaced by my mechanic or the time and tools to do it myself. Low priority except you can leave the lights on accidentally and I do not like that!

 

[JAKE]

My mechanic at Corvette Country said it is a real pain to get to. You have to remove almost the entire dash, lower the steering column and have Congressional approval. What is weird is today when my wife and I were in the car it happened AGAIN! Seat belts weren't on when starting and BING, chime, and the sound came from directly behind the stereo head. I do not trust those guys at Best Buy anymore because they stole my locking lug nut tool and the lug nut wrench. I spoke with the manager and he said he'd refund my money at the tire place I had to go to have them removed. I have the special tools to remove the stereo so I will do it when I get a chance, I think they must have done something to the plug connecting the chime unit. I do not have the money to have it replaced by my mechanic or the time and tools to do it myself. Low priority except you can leave the lights on accidentally and I do not like that!

My chime doesn't work either, but for me it's a BLESSING!

Jake

 

[Paul Higg]

Yeah, but isn't it possible to leave your lights on accidentally?

 

[Rabbit]

My mechanic at Corvette Country said it is a real pain to get to. You have to remove almost the entire dash, lower the steering column and have Congressional approval. What is weird is today when my wife and I were in the car it happened AGAIN! Seat belts weren't on when starting and BING, chime, and the sound came from directly behind the stereo head. I do not trust those guys at Best Buy anymore because they stole my locking lug nut tool and the lug nut wrench. I spoke with the manager and he said he'd refund my money at the tire place I had to go to have them removed. I have the special tools to remove the stereo so I will do it when I get a chance, I think they must have done something to the plug connecting the chime unit. I do not have the money to have it replaced by my mechanic or the time and tools to do it myself. Low priority except you can leave the lights on accidentally and I do not like that!

You can get at the chime module by removing the upper trim panel. Not a big job, but takes some time. Suggest you have the installers check the work they did. They screwed something up for sure. The chime gets it's power from fuse # 38, LCD, pass/side fuse panel. at least that's for my 95.

 

[JAKE]

Yeah, but isn't it possible to leave your lights on accidentally?

Sure, like most things, it's possible, but not very probable, at least not for me. In fact, the thing I worry about most is leaving the interior courtesy lights on. That'll pull down the battery too, but isn't nearly as detectable as leaving the headlights on. Also, they're not on a timer; my son's already walked that road with his 96 LT1.

With the headlights left on, sticking up in the air like sore thumbs and lighting up the night, I'd have to be more brain-dead than I am now, to walk past the car with them still "ON" and not notice.

Your mileage may vary. LOL

Jake

 

[Paul Higg]

Rabbit, I don't trust those, ahem, "installers" at Best Buy. I plan on doing the resistor mod myself but what is funny, since they did it I have intermittent chimes. The CCM is directly behind the stereo so when I pull all that apart I will bet I find a CCM connector that goes to the chime module either loose or messed up. The fuse is good.

Like I said before, I fixed airplane avionic systems for 25 years so I have plenty of skills to do it. Wiring diagrams are my second language. I didn't know my wife was going to have Best Buy install a stereo. If I had known I would have done it myself, I was just waiting for my FSM to come in. I have only had this car (my first Vette) since Jan. 28 and I LOVE it. For a 94 it is in mint condition. Mechanics and friends of mine with Vettes say it is the cleanest C4 they have ever seen. I am very fortunate.

Thanks Rabbit.

 

[Paul Higg]

I agree Jake but I like it when things work the way they're supposed to. You're right, I would have to be a big bonehead to leave the lights on and sticking up like that.

I laughed when I read your post.

 

[Rabbit]

Rabbit, I don't trust those, ahem, "installers" at Best Buy. I plan on doing the resistor mod myself but what is funny, since they did it I have intermittent chimes. The CCM is directly behind the stereo so when I pull all that apart I will bet I find a CCM connector that goes to the chime module either loose or messed up. The fuse is good.

Like I said before, I fixed airplane avionic systems for 25 years so I have plenty of skills to do it. Wiring diagrams are my second language. I didn't know my wife was going to have Best Buy install a stereo. If I had known I would have done it myself, I was just waiting for my FSM to come in. I have only had this car (my first Vette) since Jan. 28 and I LOVE it. For a 94 it is in mint condition. Mechanics and friends of mine with Vettes say it is the cleanest C4 they have ever seen. I am very fortunate.

Thanks Rabbit.

I am no electrical expert, I have witnesses, but it looks like they had to do something with the Passive Keyless entry module which is related to the CCM. The PKE module is on the same circuit as the RDO/Bat Fuse # 40.

Is your PKE working? I can scan the schematic from the 95 FSM if you like,for the chimes, etc.

If interested send your e-mail. Will give you a little lead until your FSM
arrives.

 

[ecss]

Since you've only owned the car for a short period of time, I'd say the Chime module is intermittent and was like that when you purchased the vehicle.

Other owners have complained of an intermittent Chime module. The design of the speaker seems to be the problem. Sometimes banging on the dash above the Chime module gets it working again. Replacement seems to be the real cure/solution.

The Tone/Chime module is located behind the DIC (driver information center) which is the display on the right side of the dash that contains/displays the tell tale lamps.

To get to the Chime module requires you remove the top of the dash.

Here's a pic. of the Chime module location.

Here's the schematic of the inputs to the CCM (Central Control module) which controls the Chime module. The CCM monitors the Headlight switch, key in ignition, seat belt switch and if the turn signal is left on for over a mile.

There are 3 Chime tones. Chime 1, Chime 2 and Chime 3. Chime 3 is a combination of Chime 1 and Chime 2.

Chime 1 is for the turn signal left on and also the fasten seat belt.
Chime 2 is for key in ignition and door is open.
Chime 3 is for head light switch if left on and key is out of the ignition.

Here's the schematic of the Chime module

You can place the CCM in diagnostic mode and test the Chime module.

Above the drivers right knee is the Diag. connector and looks like this.

[01|02|03|04|05|06|07|08]
[09|10|11|12|13|14|15|16]

Take a piece of wire and short pin 12 to pin 4.

Turn the ignition ON (don't start the engine).

The speedometer LC display will display any error codes for the PCM, CCM, ABS and Air Bag.

When the display stops.
Press the Trip/ODO button until you see 1.4 in the trip monitor area.
Then press the Eng/Met button until the identifying number for the test to be cycled is shown in the first two digits of the odometer. If it is necessary to go backwards in the list, use the Fuel/Info button.

The status of the output being cycled is shown as a 0 for off and a 1 for on in the last digit of the odometer. Tne output status cycles between On and Off every three seconds.

01 Change Oil indicator
02 Check gauges indicator (engine must be running to see this)
03 Fasten seat belt indicator
04 Security Lamp indicator
05 High bean indicator
06 Chime 1
07 Chime 2
08 LCD Blanking control
09 Rear defogger relay
10 Courtesy lamp relay
11 Low oil indicator
12 Theft deterrent relay
13 Delay accessory bus relay
14 Door ajar indicator
15 Horn relay

 

[Paul Higg]

Outstanding information, you went above and beyond, thanks. I would like the chimes to work but all we have is the Vette so taking it out of service that long to remove the top of the dash might have to wait.

I will do it in time though. In the meantime, any idea what a new chime module will cost?

I appreciate all the effort you put into your post.

Paul

 

[ecss]

If you want to purchase a used Tone module, contact Jason via e-mail or call him.
http://www.vette2vette.com/contactus.htm

The part is no longer available from GM.

 

[Paul Higg]

I called my local GM dealer and he said there was one at a dealer in Ohio, I live in Georgia. The cost? $202!!!!

I don't think I need the chimes THAT bad. <grin>

Thanks for your help.

 

[ecss]

That's interesting. I called 2 dealers in MD.
One wanted a VIN number before he could look anything up. The other one said no longer available and to try E-bay or a junk yard.

Try Jason, his prices are usually reasonable.

 

[Paul Higg]

Yeah, I bookmarked his site and will probably use him in the future but the chimes unit is now on the back burner. My local dealer didn't ask for a VIN but he said he saw one in his computer at a GM dealer in Ohio, but I almost fell out of my chair when he said $202.