the beeping WONT STOP in my 94 XLT!

[Spl Explorer]

So last week the beeping from leaving a door open or the headlights on started and wont go off in my 94 XLT. Its so annoying! I did spray some wd-40 in the ignition (key hole) and it stopped for about 4 days and but now its back....

So do I need a new ignition lock or is there a siliniod or something some ware? I would hate to have to get a new ignition lock because my key to open the door and start the X will be different. :thumbdwn:

 

[Slowlyvverot]

In my 93 there is a box under the middle of the dash that the "door ajar" noise comes from. i pulled out wires till i figured out which one made the sound and left the wire unplugged. In my truck it was the black wire. Now my seatbelt light is always on but I can live with that trade-off.

 

[TedJ]

Is the problem that it chimes constantly (like while driving) or when the door is open, regardless of if the key is in or not?

The module is attached under the dash, right near the bottom, a bit to the left of center.

Unplugging the module will certainly make it stop chiming, but the system is simple so you may as well take it one step further and find the problem.

Above the lock cylinder (easily visible if you remove the plastic from the steering column) there is a small plastic clip with one wire going to it, and it touches the key (which is grounded by the rest of the column), creating a ground input to the module.

The metal shroud around the lock has a tendency to wear down and become loose, so that it can move independently of the lock cylinder. If you can move it back and forth with no key in, you have this problem. It tends to end up to one side, and touches that one wire contact, making it think the key is in. It is also possible for the contact to get bent or break off, but the metal shroud problem is very common. Replacing the lock cylinder fixes that.

If it chimes all the time, with the door closed, then the culprit is probably the switch in the door jamb which also controls the interior lights. The one on the driver's side has two separate switches in it, one for the interior lights and one for the chime module. It creates a ground input when the door is open. If unplugging the connector to the switch makes it turn off, replace the switch.

Also, don't spray wd-40 into the lock. It's not going to solve the problem, and will just make a mess of things. There are no moving parts related to the chime in there, just a single stationary metal contact.

 

[Baddecision93]

Not exactly the greatest thing to hear but if you do end up getting the new lock cylinder you can get it cut to your exact key for about $85 if you have a locksmith do it.
That way you get the nice new ignition tumbler and you can still use the same key for your door.
I had a buddy tell me that Ford only uses one side of the key to start the vehicle on our old Exs and that you can put the new Autozone $15 tumbler in and have a key cut where one side matches your door lock and the other matches the new tumbler...I don't know if there's truth to that or not but for $15 as opposed to $85 it might be worth asking a Ford tech if you figure out that a new tumbler is the route you have to take.

 

[TedJ]

I had a buddy tell me that Ford only uses one side of the key to start the vehicle on our old Exs and that you can put the new Autozone $15 tumbler in and have a key cut where one side matches your door lock and the other matches the new tumbler...

This is true, the key has two halves to it. The section at the tip end is for the ignition, and the section close to the handle is for the doors. A good locksmith should be able to put the cuts from two different keys together

IIRC, the keys that come with replacement lock cylinders are only cut near the tip.

 

[Spl Explorer]

So before I try a new lock cylinder im going to buy a Duralast/Door Jamb Switch for $6.99.

 

[Spl Explorer]

I deffently dont wanna unpug it! I wanna keep everything running. I love my X so i want to stay on top of things. It first only would start ringing when I turned the headlights on. It would beep even if I was driving. If I shut the lights off it would stop. BUT a few times later on it started doing it even without the headlights on.

 

[Spl Explorer]