'01 Impala Constant Warning Chime

[parkermw]

My '01 Impala recently started intermittently "chiming" after the keys were removed from the ignition. When I first called the dealer, they suspected a bad door ajar sensor, but when I brought it in, no such luck. They say that it's the ignition cylinder thats gone bad to the tune of $455.00. Of course this didn't happen until it was 2K beyond warranty (38,000mi) What could possibly be contained in an ignition cylinder that rates a $455 pricetag????? Needless to say after this "scalding" I'm getting a 1st Source extended warranty to roll it out to 100,000mi just for piece of mind. I've aleady been through 2 recalls and don't want to press my luck anymore. Don't mess around, get the extended coverage on this model right from the get go!!!

MP

[cbluffton]

I am having the same problem with my 03 Impala. The chime is different than the normal (door, lights, etc.) chime that you hear all the time, and is relatively constant. The only way to "disable" the chime is either to pull the radio fuse (which disables all chimes) or repeatedly jiggle the key/ignition until the chime stops. Upon taking it to the dealership they insist the radio needs replaced - which I do not agree with. Has anyone confirmed that the problem is with the ignition?

[ysteve]

AUDIBLE WARNINGS DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

The audible warnings alert the driver of a system concern or a critical vehicle condition. The radio generates the audible warnings through the left front speaker. The radio receives audible warning requests via the class 2 serial data line. If the radio receives multiple audible warning requests, the warning with the highest priority sounds first. The Multifunction Alarm generates the audible warnings on vehicles with RPO UL5 - Radio Delete Option. The following lists the audible warning priority and the pulse rate:

1. Fast rate chime at 200 pulses per minute
2. Medium rate chime at 150 pulses per minute
3. Slow rate chime at 50 pulses per minute
4. Single chime Door Ajar Warning The radio activates the door ajar audible warning as requested by the body control module (BCM). The BCM sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a medium rate and at a continuous duration. The door ajar warning sounds and the door ajar indicator illuminates when the following occurs:

1. The body control module (BCM) determines that the driver's door is open and the signal circuit low. The IPC receives a message via class 2 from the BCM requesting illumination of the door ajar indicator.
2. The vehicle is not in park. The BCM receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the gear position. Fasten Safety Belt Warning The radio activates the fasten safety belt audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a slow rate and at a duration of 8 seconds . The fasten safety belt warning sounds and the fasten safety belt indicator illuminates when the following occurs:

• • The ignition switch transitions to ON.
  • The inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) detects that the driver seat belt is not buckled and the signal is low. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the SDM indicating the driver seat belt status. If the seat belt is buckled when the ignition is turned on, the chime does not sound. If the seat belt is buckled while the chime is sounding, the chime stops. If the seat belt is unbuckled after the initial transition to ON, the chime does not sound.

Key-In-Ignition Warning
The radio activates the key-in-ignition audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a medium rate and at a continuous duration. The key-in-ignition warning sounds when the following occurs:

• The ignition switch is OFF.
• The body control module (BCM) determines that the driver's door is open and the signal circuit is low. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the BCM indicating the door ajar status.
• The BCM determines that the key-in-ignition switch is open and the signal circuit is high. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the BCM indicating the key-in-ignition status.

Lights On Warning
The radio activates the lights on warning as requested by the body control module (BCM). The BCM sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a fast rate and at a continuous duration.

• The ignition is OFF.
• The BCM determines that the driver door is open and the signal circuit is low.
• The BCM determines that the headlamp switch is in the park or head position.

Park Brake Warning
The radio activates the park brake audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a medium rate and at a continuous duration. The park brake warning sounds and the BRAKE indicator illuminates when the following occurs:

• The ignition is on.
• The vehicle is not in park. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the gear position.
• The IPC determines that the park brake is engaged and the signal circuit is low.

Turn Signal On
The radio activates the turn signal on audible warning as requested by the body control module (BCM). The BCM sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a fast rate and at a duration 2 seconds .

Additional Warnings
The following warnings have an associated IPC or message center indicator.

• ABS The radio activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a fast rate and a duration of 4 times.
• BRAKE The radio activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a fast rate and a duration of 4 times.
• Charging System The radio activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a fast rate and a duration of 4 times.
• Hot Coolant Temperature The radio activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a fast rate and at a duration of every three seconds .
• Low Coolant Level The radio activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a fast rate and a duration of 4 times.
• LOW OIL PRESSURE The radio activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a fast rate and at a duration of every three seconds .
• Low Fuel The radio activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a fast rate and a duration of 4 times.
• Low Oil Level The radio activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a fast rate and a duration of 4 times.
• SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM The radio activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a fast rate and a duration of 4 times.
• SERVICE VEHICLE SOON The radio activates the audible warning as requested by the IPC. The IPC sends a class 2 message to the radio indicating the chime frequency of a fast rate and a duration of 4 times. Refer to Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation.