Perplexing chimes while driving fast...

[alexfranke]

Hi all -- just picked up a '03 LS V8 and after about ten minutes on the highway on the way back home we started hearing the chime go of repeatedly. It's the same chime/duration you hear when switching between MPG/miles left -- shorter than the chime when fuel is low.

It repeated sets of 11 chimes (usually) sometimes every couple of minutes and sometimes with 45 or so minutes inbetween, and only when going over 70MPH or so. There were never any warning lights or indicators, engine temp was okay, fuel okay. Seat belts on, doors/trunk/gas closed. Cycled through the status indicators, and everything was okay.

Most frequently sets of 11 chimes, but sometimes (far less frequently) in sets of 9, 7, and once even 5 (in order of decreasing frequency). Always seems to be an odd number... very curious.

Any ideas? I'm starting to worry about this...

-Alex

[CGGorman]

Bought Used? How about reverse? Chimes then, too?

If so, I believe you've had the instrument cluster replaced or the battery was dead for a couple months. I'm sketchy on the details, but there is something about the mini-computer in the gauge cluster that tracks mileage. Speeds over 70 and in reverse it sets off chimes and a light, I think. There is a guy in the club that had that problem with a '02 that saat on the lot for months with a dead battery. Don't remember the fix. It was simple, though. You're under warranty, anyway. Take it in.

[alexfranke]

Originally Posted by CGGorman

Bought Used? How about reverse? Chimes then, too?

Yes, Yes, YES! And *thank God* it's not supposed to beep in reverse!!! (That was really starting to get annoying!)

Now I have something more concrete to go on -- thanks so much; you've just made my day!

Cheers,
-Alex

[CGGorman]

Sounds like your cruise control light should blink, too.

Quote from BGGowing at LLSOC.com:

It could mean that the instrument cluster was replaced with a different one and whoever did it didn't follow the proper procedue to upload the cluster data to the WDS tool before they replaced it and/or didn't download the previous data back to it after they replaced it.

It is also possible that if the vehicle sat for an extended period of time (two months or more) like mine did (a year) and the battery fully died and was never charged that all resident memory could have been lost.

He'll need to have his dealer get into OASIS and check the SSBs (Special Service Bulletins) for warning lights/messages on the cluster. Once they find that SSB it will have instructions on how to correct it using the WDS tool.