97 explorer sport door chime

[sreilly77]

hey im from the jeep and lincoln forum but i am about to purchase a 97 explorer sport for my brother and its a real sweet ride i really like it. i am buying it off one of my bosses and hes always had this one problem that no one can be able to figure out. when you open the door when the truck is off the chime goes off like when you leave the key in the ignition and then open the door. but it doesnt do it when the truck is running and you open the door. i cannot figure out what the problem is but i am thinking its a short somewhere either in the ignition or a relay? can someone help me out. thanks

[shorod]

The Generic Electronic Module (GEM) is what provides the chime. There is an input to the GEM of "Key In Ignition." Correspondingly, there is a switch in the ignition key cylinder switch for "key in" which may be failing. You may want to try a couple quick squirts of electrical contact cleaner into the key cylinder switch, following by running the ignition key in and out of the cylinder a few times to see if that remedies the issue.

Have a paper towel around the cylinder switch and shroud to soak up excess cleaner. Also, be aware that the cleaner may discolor or attack the steering column trim shroud, so you may want to test the cleaner on an inconspicious area first.

-Rod

[sreilly77]

Originally Posted by shorod

The Generic Electronic Module (GEM) is what provides the chime. There is an input to the GEM of "Key In Ignition." Correspondingly, there is a switch in the ignition key cylinder switch for "key in" which may be failing. You may want to try a couple quick squirts of electrical contact cleaner into the key cylinder switch, following by running the ignition key in and out of the cylinder a few times to see if that remedies the issue.

Have a paper towel around the cylinder switch and shroud to soak up excess cleaner. Also, be aware that the cleaner may discolor or attack the steering column trim shroud, so you may want to test the cleaner on an inconspicious area first.

-Rod

can i spray directly into the ignition itself or should i open up the steering column and spray from there?

[shorod]

If you are comfortable opening up the steering column, that would be a better option. That way you can at least minimize the amount of cleaner overspray. I don't recall if the "key in" swtich is located inside the ignition key cylinder switch or hanging off the outside. With the steering column shroud removed, you can probably make that determination, and armed with that info, determine if you are best off spraying in to the key opening or spraying the switch directly.

If the "key in" switch is the issue, I suspect you'd be able to notice a change by spraying directly into the key opening though.

-Rod

[sreilly77]

Originally Posted by shorod

If you are comfortable opening up the steering column, that would be a better option. That way you can at least minimize the amount of cleaner overspray. I don't recall if the "key in" swtich is located inside the ignition key cylinder switch or hanging off the outside. With the steering column shroud removed, you can probably make that determination, and armed with that info, determine if you are best off spraying in to the key opening or spraying the switch directly.

If the "key in" switch is the issue, I suspect you'd be able to notice a change by spraying directly into the key opening though.

-Rod

ok thank you I will let you know how I make out.

[reekor]

You can scan the GEM system for trouble codes, if that does not show anything, try doing an "on demend test" on the GEM system. You should be able to see if the key cylinder switch is working in the GEM data stream.

Originally Posted by sreilly77

hey im from the jeep and lincoln forum but i am about to purchase a 97 explorer sport for my brother and its a real sweet ride i really like it. i am buying it off one of my bosses and hes always had this one problem that no one can be able to figure out. when you open the door when the truck is off the chime goes off like when you leave the key in the ignition and then open the door. but it doesnt do it when the truck is running and you open the door. i cannot figure out what the problem is but i am thinking its a short somewhere either in the ignition or a relay? can someone help me out. thanks

[sreilly77]

Originally Posted by reekor

You can scan the GEM system for trouble codes, if that does not show anything, try doing an "on demend test" on the GEM system. You should be able to see if the key cylinder switch is working in the GEM data stream.

ok i'll check that out and let you know how i make out.

by the way: nice crown vic. i had one that looked identical to that. i had the whole fleet at one time: the 92 crown vic, 93 grand marquis, and 95 town car

[reekor]

Thanks I bought that 94 vic for parts and couldn't bring myself to ripping the car apart after seeing just how clean it was. I have a fleet here myself, 92 grand marquis, 94 crown vic and also a 97 crown vic PI.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/849925

Originally Posted by sreilly77

ok i'll check that out and let you know how i make out.

by the way: nice crown vic. i had one that looked identical to that. i had the whole fleet at one time: the 92 crown vic, 93 grand marquis, and 95 town car