Warning Bleeper

[dickinsond]

I have a year 2000 Explorer, and after starting the engine within a few seconds a warning bleeper sounds 5 times, pauses then 5 more bleeps another pause and a final 5 bleeps, then nothing for 30 minutes when again the bleeper sounds 5 times pause, 5 times pause and a final 5 times. This is every 30 minutes, there are no warning lights showing nothing seems to alter with the car, The sound appears to come from below the heater control panel, has anyone had a similar problem and if so can I turn it off?

Dave Dickinson England

 

[koda2000]

it's just a guess, but it might be seat belt related. does the seat belt warning light illuminate during the bulb test? it should be in the lower left corner on the instrument cluster. even if you're are putting your seat belt on, the latch switch may not be recognizing it.

 

[bill06447]

It has to do with one of the dash bulbs being out, think it's the SRS/airbag light is not working

Bill

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

As Koda said, probably the seat belt warning.
There's electrical plugs and wiring behind the
driver's seat that might be unplugged or loose.

A kid in the back seat can kick lots of things loose
back there...

 

[swshawaii]

there are no warning lights showing

Safety belt warning light and indicator chime (Pages 130-131)

The seat belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.

http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/00expog1e.pdf

 

[SoNic67]

The safety belt chimes 5 times just when you start the car, after that it is silent. Plus, it lights on a warning bulb on dash.

If is exactly at 30 minutes, it is the SRS light bulb out - by example taken out by previous owner to mask a faulty air-bag at sale time. Put the key to 'Contact' position and see if the Air Bag light comes on (#14 in pic below).
A low battery voltage might trigger that too, since it would affect the SRS function.

 

[swshawaii]

Excellent info SoNic67, some not detailed in the owners manual. More in your single post than in this entire earlier thread.

How are an I turn off annoying instrument cluster 'chime'
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375982

Complete SRS info in the owners manual link previously posted. Page 135+
http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/00expog1e.pdf

 

[dickinsond]

Thanks for all your help, now I look at the dashboard, the SRS lamp doesnt light up when i turn the key, can I assume that the lamp was removed to cover up an airbag problem??

Dave Dickinson

 

[istroo]

Thanks for all your help, now I look at the dashboard, the SRS lamp doesnt light up when i turn the key, can I assume that the lamp was removed to cover up an airbag problem??

Dave Dickinson

You can assume that but hopefully it is just a bad bulb. Sounds like a bad bulb can cause an open circuit in the airbag system. Do a search on pulling the cluster, it's actually a pretty easy thing to do.
One thing I would recommend is taking the gauges out from the front instead of messing with the flexible circuit in the back. If I recall most of the write ups show how to take the gauges out the front (they just pull out).
The hardest part, at least for me, was releasing the PRNDL indicator. Tabs on both sides from under the cluster need to be depressed to release it.
Keep us posted on what you find.

 

[bobflood]

You don't need to pull the gauges from the cluster to replace bulbs; they all mount in thru the back of the circuit board. Just unplug the connectors in the back, release the shift indicator wire, and the whole cluster will come out. If you are doing this, go ahead and replace all 6 "illumination" bulbs (#194 type bulbs) while the cluster is out. Good luck.