disarming seatbelt chime on 1999 explorer limited

[stevenbeathard@g]

Just joined because I am frustrated with an issue no one seems to be able to solve. My 1999 explorer limited had 146K and has been well maintained. The seat belt icon on the dash has been on for 10 years and the alarm never sounded. Now the icon is off and the seat belt alarm sound every time the vehicle is started-goes through the 5 or 6 sequence of 5 chimes.. Driving me crazy! Doesn't matter if belt buckled or not or buckled before or after started. Does it every 30 minutes when on the road- same sequence. Saw a post somewhere with disarming instructions but won't work. Is there a simple wire to snip or do I have to dismantle the steering cover and kill the chime itself. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks steve

 

[bradsx]

try spraying penetrating oil on door hidges, andeverywhere in door

 

[koda2000]

i don't know that the door latches have anything to do with your seat belt problem. it sounds more like a seat belt latch/wiring problem. there's a wire that comes out of the bottom of the seat belt latch cover on the side of the console. it then disappears into a hole in the carpet. there's a connector at that point, which may be just under the carpet (or may be pulled out just outside the hole). i'm not sure how it works, but i'm guessing that when you fasten the seat belt it interrupts/breaks or makes a connection which is supposed to turn out the seat belt warning light and the chime. check this wiring and the connector. see how many wires are in the connector. if only one try grounding it. if two try connecting them together. as far as the light no longer coming on, the bulb may be burnt out (especially if its been on for 10 years). does the bulb come on during the bulb check (key ON engine OFF)? i wonder if the bulb being out is causing the chime to sound? i can tell you how to replace the bulb but it's a bit of a PITA (takes about an hour).

 

[stevenbeathard@g]

KODA2000 Thanks for the reply. My son-in-law has the explorer and when he returns it I'll try to ground the wires in the connector. It is clearly visible. To be more specific as to the problem- The air bag indicator icon was the one on for ten years. It is now off and doesn't come on during ignition cycle. Probably a coincidence. The seat belt icon works and goes out when you fasten the belt. The chimes still come on. This was my wife
s vehicle so I (as you might expect) was a little confused on the instrumentation-and dilatory in addressing the problems. Thanks again

 

[budwich]

the chimes that you are hearing are for your "burnt out" air bag light... not your seat belt warning. Replace the bulb and you will have quiet.

 

[koda2000]

the chimes that you are hearing are for your "burnt out" air bag light... not your seat belt warning. Replace the bulb and you will have quiet.

yeah, that makes more sense.

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

KODA2000 Thanks for the reply. My son-in-law has the explorer and when he returns it I'll try to ground the wires in the connector. It is clearly visible. To be more specific as to the problem- The air bag indicator icon was the one on for ten years. It is now off and doesn't come on during ignition cycle. Probably a coincidence. The seat belt icon works and goes out when you fasten the belt. The chimes still come on. This was my wife
s vehicle so I (as you might expect) was a little confused on the instrumentation-and dilatory in addressing the problems. Thanks again

As stated above, this sounds like the air bag chime. Here's a quick way to tell. Next time the chime sounds, does the sound come from the center of the dash (gem module which houses the seat belt light functions) or from the passenger kick panel next to the passenger door (where the air bag module is located)...having said that...

Replacing the bulb will correct the issue (led bulb if I remember correctly), however, if the air bag light is on, there is a fault somewhere in the air bag system. In the event of a crash, an air bag fault could possibly result in the airbags not working correctly. After changing the bulb, I would recommend looking at the air bag system and correcting any problems that it is having.

 

[stevenbeathard@g]

Thanks for the info. I think you are exactly correct. I contacted the Ford dealer and the parts guy said his book only shows bulbs but not what they are for-he suggested I remove the bulb and bring it in to compare. Do I go through the front of the dash or underneath. I have removed dash panels before-better at removal than reinstallation. Any suggestions? Or should I leave it to an expert. Thanks again for identifying my problem. Steve

 

[koda2000]

the bulbs go in from the rear of the instrument cluster. it must be removed to get at them. there are 3 screws visable on the cluster (above the steering column) you must also pull out the radio bezel (2 screws above the heater/ac controls) and remove the driver's side lower dash trim panel to get at all the rest of the screws (6-8 as i remember) you'll also need to take the 2 screws out of the hood latch release to get the trim panel off (it then pulls off, held in place by 4 metal push clips). next remove the metal plate which you'll find under the trim panel (4 screws) then you need to unhook the PRNDL indicator wire (being careful not to break it) to get the cluster out. then there are several more screws securing the bottom ot the cluster housing. now you're ready to wrestle the cluster out enough to disconnect the 3 wire harnesses from the back and pull it out. the bulb locations are labeled on the back of the cluster and all holes have bulbs. there's probably several bulbs not being used on your truck, for options you don't have, so you can just switch an unused bulb for your air bag bulb. while your back there change the 6 cluster illumination bulbs (#168). figure on this taking several hours if it's the first time you're doing it. no special tools are required. if your PRNDL indicator didn't line up, now's the time to turn the thumb wheel that adjusts the pointer. reassemble in reverse order. have fun...

tips:
1. disconnect the battery before starting
2. set the parking brake so you can move shift lever out of you way
3. place a towel over the steering column to keep from damaging it
4. a 1/4 ratchet set is very helpful (sae sizes will work for all screws)

 

[stevenbeathard@g]

thanks for the walk thru for the light replacement. I call my local Ford dealer. $88 to scan vehicle and then estimate to replace. The service mgr had no experience w this issue. I am shipping truck to Az. in 2 weeks where it will be driven only one month a year for the rest of its life. I will probably try the bulb replacement out there-nice and warm! If I run into any problem, I'm sure I can find an "expert" to help me through it. Thanks again for all your advice and kind consideration

 

[stevenbeathard@g]

Thanks for all the help. I took the truck to a mechanic who owns an older Explorer and knew how to remove dash quickly and efficiently. $60 plus $10 for the new bulb and all is quiet. Explorer now on its way to Az. to spend its retirement years. Great forum!!

 

[koda2000]

Thanks for all the help. I took the truck to a mechanic who owns an older Explorer and knew how to remove dash quickly and efficiently. $60 plus $10 for the new bulb and all is quiet. Explorer now on its way to Az. to spend its retirement years. Great forum!!

$60 was well worth it for the labor involved. $10 for the bulb is high, you could have just swapped it with a bulb your truck doesn't use, but odds are you won't have to ever change it again. did you also have him change the 6 gauge illumination bulbs while he was in there? they're relatively cheap and just as big a PITA to change.