Door ding even with key removed

Heuster · 06-18-2007, 03:03 AM

Okay,

I think this one is going to be a beast, but tell me what you think. I've had several people look at this and no one wanted to tackle it...so I'll tackle it in the forum.

Your basic door ding...**ding, ding, ding...** "You left your key in the ignition and the driver door is open"...or "You left you lights on and the driver door is open"

My basic door ding...**ding, ding, ding...** "The driver door is open, your lights aren't on and your key is not in the ignition."

Retarded.

Normally, your car will ding with the door open when your lights are on or the key is in the ignition...but my car does it under ALL circumstances. It is REALLY annoying now...and my wife is startingt to hate it, which means that she hates me, which means that I hate the car, which means...well, you know where I'm at. Is something stuck? Do I need a new "key assembly"? Is it something in the steering column haxored up? I have looked through for blown fuses, but it wouldn't ding at all if a fuse was blown I don't think.

Any thoughts or ideas on figuring this one out?

aeaglenfitch · 06-18-2007, 06:36 AM

i have a 98 mounty with similar problem... it never used to do it... before when i'd turn it off and take the key out the radio instantly shut off and the dinger stopped dinging as soon as i removed the key when the door was open. but all of a sudden it decided that when i pull the key out it's gona ding at me and leave the radio on for a few seconds... hasnt bothered me much but has confused me

kevin s · 06-18-2007, 10:57 AM

Mine does it, but it's because my switch is worn. If I turn it clockwise a bit after removing the key, it stops.

kert0307 · 06-18-2007, 12:44 PM

Just find the dingner and unplug it.... lol

Heuster · 06-18-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kert0307

Just find the dingner and unplug it.... lol

No way man!!! That's a copout

410Fortune · 06-18-2007, 03:09 PM

if you take your steering column shrouds off you will see a blue wire that enters the key switch assembly itself

this sucker is the dinger for leaving the key in the ignition. What it does is ground the wire when the key is inserted thus shutting off the alarm.

The wire comes loose and will never ground out, so the sucker will ding when ever the door is open, key or no key.

I fixed mine with a small zip tie to keep it firmly in place.
Took all of 15 minutes to do and fixed it 100%

Give that a shot

*CDW6212R* · 06-18-2007, 06:04 PM

Very good Jamie, a parts failure like that would have been my second guess, but probably better. I'd have looked at the GEM module, but a loose wire is more likely.

aeaglenfitch · 06-18-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeaglenfitch

i have a 98 mounty with similar problem... it never used to do it... before when i'd turn it off and take the key out the radio instantly shut off and the dinger stopped dinging as soon as i removed the key when the door was open. but all of a sudden it decided that when i pull the key out it's gona ding at me and leave the radio on for a few seconds... hasnt bothered me much but has confused me

anybody have an explanation for this?

Heuster · 06-21-2007, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDW6212R

Very good Jamie, a parts failure like that would have been my second guess, but probably better. I'd have looked at the GEM module, but a loose wire is more likely.

And where/what is the GEM module?

*CDW6212R* · 06-21-2007, 08:52 PM

Most of the electrical "brains" of the car, not the drivetrain, are in the Generic Electronics Module.

It is located along the left side of the large radio pocket. Pull out the radio, and the GEM module is inside on the left, with three or four electrical connectors on it. It is fairly solid state reliable, that should be the last thought.

khibdwb · 07-20-2007, 12:08 PM

410Fortune wins the prize!!

Thanks fortune! Your fix solved the problem on my 1998 Explorer Sport. I'll post picture of the process when I get the chance.

Very quick, easy and 100% fixed.

rwagner735 · 11-27-2010, 01:49 PM

1999 Explorer. Dinging when door open and no key. Turned out to be blue connector on bottom if ignition switch not secured in place. Fixed by putting piece of sponge in the bottom shrowd to hold connector in place. Appears to be working fine

*CDW6212R* · 12-02-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwagner735

1999 Explorer. Dinging when door open and no key. Turned out to be blue connector on bottom if ignition switch not secured in place. Fixed by putting piece of sponge in the bottom shrowd to hold connector in place. Appears to be working fine

Ditto, mine got knocked off long ago. I think there is a little plastic piece of it broken off, it falls down just enough most of the time to make the chime go off. I'll put a dab of RTV on it soon to secure it.

*Dino61* · 03-20-2011, 01:27 AM

Mine started doing it recently, key out door chiming away, removed the blue connector from the switch and tucked it own where it cant contact anything, all quiet now..! Thanks for the info

*CDW6212R* · 03-20-2011, 11:38 AM

I placed a dab of RTV over that key cylinder wire connector(blue), and it held it in place. It hasn't made any wrong noises since, so it was a broken tab of the connector letting it come out. Easy fix.

tanbuddy · 03-21-2011, 08:19 AM

Removed the wiere on mine a long time ago, it dings when i leave the lights on but wont ding if i leave the key in. I called it the black wire mud but i guess im a little color blind lol

SeattleExplorer · 07-10-2012, 07:14 PM

I just did the zip tie fix, hope it holds. Here's a couple pics...

https://bu.mp/bDekdM

Midwest Dually · 07-11-2012, 08:32 PM

I have been wondering about that with my 98 Sport... Now I know! Fan fricken tastic! LOL! Excellent tip with the zip tie by the way!

Agata · 07-31-2012, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heuster

Okay,

I think this one is going to be a beast, but tell me what you think. I've had several people look at this and no one wanted to tackle it...so I'll tackle it in the forum.

Your basic door ding...**ding, ding, ding...** "You left your key in the ignition and the driver door is open"...or "You left you lights on and the driver door is open"

My basic door ding...**ding, ding, ding...** "The driver door is open, your lights aren't on and your key is not in the ignition."

Retarded.

Normally, your car will ding with the door open when your lights are on or the key is in the ignition...but my car does it under ALL circumstances. It is REALLY annoying now...and my wife is startingt to hate it, which means that she hates me, which means that I hate the car, which means...well, you know where I'm at. Is something stuck? Do I need a new "key assembly"? Is it something in the steering column haxored up? I have looked through for blown fuses, but it wouldn't ding at all if a fuse was blown I don't think.

Any thoughts or ideas on figuring this one out?

Hi,

I think I have the same problem. The door dings all the time, even whem I'm driving. With the key in the ignition or out, to complete the problem the door locks are like crazy going up and down and the buzzing sound. This is making me crazy. Does anyone know how to solve this problem?

GRNMACHINE · 07-31-2012, 07:37 PM

Great Info!

06-18-2007, 03:03 AM	#1
Heuster Wannabe Elite Explorer Phoenix, AZ '97 5.0 AWD Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 94 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Door ding even with key removed Okay, I think this one is going to be a beast, but tell me what you think. I've had several people look at this and no one wanted to tackle it...so I'll tackle it in the forum. Your basic door ding...ding, ding, ding... "You left your key in the ignition and the driver door is open"...or "You left you lights on and the driver door is open" My basic door ding...ding, ding, ding... "The driver door is open, your lights aren't on and your key is not in the ignition." Retarded. Normally, your car will ding with the door open when your lights are on or the key is in the ignition...but my car does it under ALL circumstances. It is REALLY annoying now...and my wife is startingt to hate it, which means that she hates me, which means that I hate the car, which means...well, you know where I'm at. Is something stuck? Do I need a new "key assembly"? Is it something in the steering column haxored up? I have looked through for blown fuses, but it wouldn't ding at all if a fuse was blown I don't think. Any thoughts or ideas on figuring this one out? __________________ Kyle '97 Mountaineer 5.0 AWD

06-18-2007, 06:36 AM	#2
aeaglenfitch Wannabe Elite Explorer Maple Valley, WA '98 Mounty 4.0 SOHC 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 488 Vehicle Specs	i have a 98 mounty with similar problem... it never used to do it... before when i'd turn it off and take the key out the radio instantly shut off and the dinger stopped dinging as soon as i removed the key when the door was open. but all of a sudden it decided that when i pull the key out it's gona ding at me and leave the radio on for a few seconds... hasnt bothered me much but has confused me __________________ 98' Mounty. Hella brand lights behind the grille. 31x12.5x15 Thornbird TSL's. Custom quick disconnects on rear sway bar. Torsion Twist + Shackles + AAL. Volant Intake, Flowmaster 50 SUV, Moog Ball joints, new front hubs, Brown Wire Mod, Henson Performance Custom Tuning via xCalibrator1 Car Domain

06-18-2007, 12:44 PM	#4
kert0307 Wannabe Elite Explorer Pella, Iowa '00 Sport and '89 B2 Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,506 Vehicle Specs	Just find the dingner and unplug it.... lol __________________ ____________________ 89' B2 -Sold 00' Explorer Sport - Sold 05' F250 Crew Cab 4x4 Diesel Clicky tow rig/DD 2011 Ford Edge - Wife's DD 1978 Glastron CVX16 Project Boat

06-18-2007, 03:09 PM	#6
410Fortune ELITE BRONCO2ERER Crawlorado B2 Mod Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 22,099 Vehicle Specs	if you take your steering column shrouds off you will see a blue wire that enters the key switch assembly itself this sucker is the dinger for leaving the key in the ignition. What it does is ground the wire when the key is inserted thus shutting off the alarm. The wire comes loose and will never ground out, so the sucker will ding when ever the door is open, key or no key. I fixed mine with a small zip tie to keep it firmly in place. Took all of 15 minutes to do and fixed it 100% Give that a shot __________________ 96 Explorer daily driver build-1996 XLT 5.0L AWD to 4x4 conversion complete on 33's 88 BII 5.0L conversion - BII 5.0l drivetrain thread My Bronco II - 1988 Bronco II 4x4 V8 on 35's - registry and updates Wifes 07 FJ build - 2007 FJ cruiser locked and lifted

06-18-2007, 06:04 PM	#7
CDW6212R Elite Explorer Knoxville, TN 98 Mountaineer A4WD Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 12,937 Vehicle Specs	Very good Jamie, a parts failure like that would have been my second guess, but probably better. I'd have looked at the GEM module, but a loose wire is more likely. __________________ Don 91 Lincoln LSC/SE, 99/93 Explorer Limited 4WD, 98 AWD Mounty with 255/55/18's, big sway bars, and 12.75" x 1.25" rotors. Soon a BW4406, built trans, stereo and interior. The best thing that could help us all, is the Fair Tax Plan. Be American, Buy American (Manufacturer)

06-18-2007, 10:57 AM	#3
kevin s Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs	Mine does it, but it's because my switch is worn. If I turn it clockwise a bit after removing the key, it stops.

06-21-2007, 08:52 PM	#10
CDW6212R Elite Explorer Knoxville, TN 98 Mountaineer A4WD Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 12,937 Vehicle Specs	Most of the electrical "brains" of the car, not the drivetrain, are in the Generic Electronics Module. It is located along the left side of the large radio pocket. Pull out the radio, and the GEM module is inside on the left, with three or four electrical connectors on it. It is fairly solid state reliable, that should be the last thought. __________________ Don 91 Lincoln LSC/SE, 99/93 Explorer Limited 4WD, 98 AWD Mounty with 255/55/18's, big sway bars, and 12.75" x 1.25" rotors. Soon a BW4406, built trans, stereo and interior. The best thing that could help us all, is the Fair Tax Plan. Be American, Buy American (Manufacturer)

07-20-2007, 12:08 PM	#11
khibdwb Wannabe Elite Explorer St. Paul, MN 1998 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs	410Fortune wins the prize!! Thanks fortune! Your fix solved the problem on my 1998 Explorer Sport. I'll post picture of the process when I get the chance. Very quick, easy and 100% fixed.

11-27-2010, 01:49 PM	#12
rwagner735 Wannabe Elite Explorer Boston MA 99 XLT Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs	1999 Explorer. Dinging when door open and no key. Turned out to be blue connector on bottom if ignition switch not secured in place. Fixed by putting piece of sponge in the bottom shrowd to hold connector in place. Appears to be working fine

03-20-2011, 01:27 AM	#14
Dino61 Elite Explorer Sydney NSW 97 XLT Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 38 Vehicle Specs	Mine started doing it recently, key out door chiming away, removed the blue connector from the switch and tucked it own where it cant contact anything, all quiet now..! Thanks for the info

03-20-2011, 11:38 AM	#15
CDW6212R Elite Explorer Knoxville, TN 98 Mountaineer A4WD Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 12,937 Vehicle Specs	I placed a dab of RTV over that key cylinder wire connector(blue), and it held it in place. It hasn't made any wrong noises since, so it was a broken tab of the connector letting it come out. Easy fix. __________________ Don 91 Lincoln LSC/SE, 99/93 Explorer Limited 4WD, 98 AWD Mounty with 255/55/18's, big sway bars, and 12.75" x 1.25" rotors. Soon a BW4406, built trans, stereo and interior. The best thing that could help us all, is the Fair Tax Plan. Be American, Buy American (Manufacturer)

03-21-2011, 08:19 AM	#16
tanbuddy Wannabe Elite Explorer PA 2000 Sport Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 37 Vehicle Specs	Removed the wiere on mine a long time ago, it dings when i leave the lights on but wont ding if i leave the key in. I called it the black wire mud but i guess im a little color blind lol __________________ 2000 Sport 4.0 auto 4x4 brown wire, black wire mod (key buzzer), torque converter lockup switch, front tow hooks, trailer light harness

07-10-2012, 07:14 PM	#17
SeattleExplorer Wannabe Elite Explorer 97 XLT Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 6 Vehicle Specs	I just did the zip tie fix, hope it holds. Here's a couple pics... https://bu.mp/bDekdM

07-11-2012, 08:32 PM	#18
Midwest Dually Wannabe Elite Explorer Northern Wyoming 1995 Limited Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 86 Vehicle Specs	I have been wondering about that with my 98 Sport... Now I know! Fan fricken tastic! LOL! Excellent tip with the zip tie by the way!

07-31-2012, 07:37 PM	#20
GRNMACHINE Wannabe Elite Explorer IL 95 Sport 4x4 Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,374 Vehicle Specs	Great Info! __________________ 95 Sport 4x4, 3.73, tt/shackles, K&N FIPK, 33X12.50X15 BFG T/A, 15x10 DC-1's, Pro Comp ES9000 shocks, Flowmaster Catback, ARB OME Leaf Springs, 2" BODYLIFT "Thy shall Not Leaveth Thou Chariot Stocketh" Explorer 2nd Genesis GRNMACHINE