Door dinger not working

94GTHO · Feb 16, 2010

I noticed when my girlfriend got her 96 cobra there was a door dinger for when the door was opened. My 96 gt has never made that noise and I would like it to. I am assuming my car has it but it just doesnt work. Any idea where to start looking for the problem??

wmburns · Feb 16, 2010

Does the dome light come on when the door is opened?

If no, the problem is likely in the door switch.

If yes, the problem is likely in the ignition switch. There is a small switch inside the key ignition switch that detects when the key is actually inserted. I suspect that it is bad or someone disabled it (are you the only owner of this car?).

Do you really want to fix it? If yes, start with a visual inspection of the tumbler. It is easy to remove with a working key. Also inspect around the steering column area to see if any wires have been cut to disable this function. Will be necessary to remove the covers around the steering column to gain access.

sneaky98gt · Feb 16, 2010

Sounds like a solution to me! I'd love for mine to quit working!

94GTHO · Feb 16, 2010

Yes the dome light comes on. I am not the original owner. I do know the airbags have been replaced but for an unknown reason. I also realized that she has a lever type button to push to get her key out but mine doesnt. They are both 96's though. Is that something they might have changed half way through the year or something special for cobras?

wmburns · Feb 16, 2010

Is the 96 GT manual or auto? The separate release on the key is usually used on manuals. My 2000 GT manual has the lever. My 96 auto and 03 auto does not.

The automatic transmission cars do not have the lever because there is a shift interlock on the gear shift. Can not put a shift interlock on a manual.

The lever has nothing to do with the key minder.

IMO, likely the key detect switch was damaged during the air bag replacement.

94GTHO · Feb 16, 2010

The GT is a manual. Ill get under there tomorrow after work and see what I can find.

2000GT08 · Feb 17, 2010

"Sounds like a solution to me! I'd love for mine to quit working!"

No Kidding! It would be awesome to stop working!

patman0911 · Feb 17, 2010

94GTHO said:
The GT is a manual. Ill get under there tomorrow after work and see what I can find.

Weird... was it converted from an auto at some point in its life? My 96 GT has the interlock and so has every manual trans Ford I've ever driven that I can remember.

The door ding may have been disabled - it will start to drive you insane if you ave to do anything that requires the door being open for any length of time

Does it ding if you leave the headlights on, take the key out and open the door?

wmburns · Feb 17, 2010

How to disable key minder chime

To stop the key minder (note this will affect the head light minder as well).

Option 1: Disable/remove/cut the key warning switch circuit. The wire color is BK/PK. It is on connector C218a pin #2 in the steering column.

The BK/PK wire can also be accessed at the GEM connector C218a pin #9.

There is a possibility that the head light minder may do strange things since technically it wants the key in the ignition. Recommend testing.

Option 2: Alter the key cylinder. Remove the cylinder. There is a switch contact that grounds out when the key is inserted. This is where the leap of faith begins (never actually done this). Alter the ignition cylinder such that the key minder switch no longer grounds out. This could include breaking it off, cutting off the part that sticks inside the cylinder, painting/covering the grounding connection.

Option 3: is to remove/disconnect the chime. Of couse this will stop the seat belt reminder as well.

If someone actually does this, consider posting some pictures. Might make an interesting post.

Obviously, each option has its positive/negative points. Esp if you wish to restore stock function at some point in the future.

Note: the connection numbers are for the 2002 MY. For the 1999-2000 MY, the wire colors are the same, the connectors numbers are different.

If it were my car, I would not cut any wire in the car's wiring harness. Suggest removing the pin from the connector. This makes it easier to restore factory function. Remember to tape/insulate any removed connector.

I would also test this before changing anything that is difficult to undo.

GettinThere · Feb 17, 2010

wmburns said:
Option 3: is to remove/disconnect the chime. Of couse this will stop the seat belt reminder as well.

If someone actually does this, consider posting some pictures. Might make an interesting post.

Amen. I would love to get rid of that f------ chime.

32ValveRom · Feb 17, 2010

I'm sorry but wth is a door dinger?

94GTHO · Feb 19, 2010

Yea it doesnt make the noise at all. I have left my lights on a few times because of it. And nothing lets me know I am not wearing my seatbelt.

94GTHO · Feb 19, 2010

32ValveRom said:
I'm sorry but wth is a door dinger?

Its just something that makes a dinging noise if you leave your lights on or not wearing your seatbelt of the door is open or something.

patman0911 · Feb 19, 2010

Sounds like the chime is dead or has been disabled if it's not dinging in any of those situations - option #3 in wmburns list above.

GettinThere · Feb 19, 2010

32ValveRom said:
I'm sorry but wth is a door dinger?

There are loads of them out in the Walmart parking lot...

Death to door dingers.

94GTHO · Feb 19, 2010

does anyone know where the dinger is located?

wmburns · Feb 19, 2010

1996-1998 is appears to be a separate module under the dash (left side), just to the right of the steering column.

1999-2004 the chime is on the Generic Electronic Module (GEM). Which means that it will be more difficult to disable just the chime. Might be possible to wedge a foreign object (toothpick for example) in the chime itself. May have to clip one of the wires to the chime. I have never taken a GEM apart so I really don't know.

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