got a problem with an 2002 dodge dakota sxt 3.9 v6 5sp 4x4 of my girl friends. ok heres the problem when the key is on whether the motor is running or not, you will here a random ding, random yet constant sometimes it will be every 30 seconds to three times in a row....the noise is the same one that comes on if your low fuel light comes on or if you have your door open with the key in the switch......what is causeing this problem please help.... thanks

 

does the dome light come on too? if it did then i would say you have a bad door dome light switch.

 

Its an indicator to let you know the motor is warmed up, I believe. Mine does the same thing. Theres nothing to worry about other than it can be annoying.

 

there is no "dinging" indicator that tells you the engine is warmed up... its called a temp gauge.

 

You could start with the obvious on this one. It is hard to tell which component is causing the chime tones. It would help to know whether the chimes are fast or slow. Different inputs from different components in the truck will correspond to a fast or slow chime tone.

The first places to check would be the key in ignition switch, the seat belt sensor connectors and the door ajar switches inside the door at the door latch mechanism. At the ignition switch wire harness there is a light blue wire that goes over to the key in ignition switch, which is located on the left side of the steering column. If you can unplug it, see if the chime comes back at random. If you can't unlpug it, cut the light blue wire and see if you still have the random chime.

The next thing would be to unplug the seat belt sensor wire connector, under the driver's seat and see if you still have the random chime. If that's not it, unplug the connector for the door door ajar switch at the door latch inside the door cavity. Start with the driver's door first. You can unplug the connector, but if the truck has power locks they won't work. If you have the base model truck, it's a 2 wire plug, if yuo have power options, it's a 4 connector plug. If you choose to cut the wire to test, the wire to cut is tan colored.

I would bet it is one of these 3 things causing the chime to sound at random. I think the order of probability is the ignition key in switch, the door ajar switch(es) and then the seat belt sensor switches. However, all of the chimes in the truck are controlled by the CTM. You really can't rule out a bad CTM causing the chime problem, but personally I don't think it's very likely.

Jimmy

 

thanks for the responses guys! only thing i can tell you right now is that the seat belt light does go out when she snaps the seat belt but ill unplug it and check anyhow.....ill check out those three things first chance i get and ill let you know what i find.....thanks again

 

I thought that once the engine reached a certain temperature it dinged to let you know? At least, this is what I've been told. (Why this is important doesn't make sense to me though).

 

unless it's over heating, it's not going to sound off the warning chim, atleast from what ive read, experienced, or were told.

 

In some vehicles, when the temp gauge reads high (a set point from the factory), the gauge cluster turns on a "Check gauges" or "high temp" or "Check Temp", etc and makes an audible chime to alert the driver.

I have no idea if a Dakota does that as mine has not overheated before.

 

It does. I had a bad thermostat and once the temp gets into the red it sets off the Check Gauges light and dings at you.