Key reminder chime?

[mike561]

Does anyone know if my year caprice (83) came with the key in ignition reminder chime? im thinking of getting a steering wheel puller and looking inside the column to see if theres a sensor or switch for it where the key gets inserted

[mega420]

i dont belive so i had a 84 and it didnt and my 89 dont either.

[silicon212]

Yes, they all had them in there, going back to 1969. There's a switch that's activated by a cam on the ignition lock cylinder. This switch has a plastic body and has two long copper 'feelers' that come out the top, which make contact with the turn signal switch assembly. It is located in the steering column, behind the turn signal switch and must be removed in order to remove the lock cylinder. You will see it when you pull the turn signal switch up, those two long copper blade 'feelers' will be visible.

Most of the earlier cars had a piezoelectric 'buzzer' that was mounted either on or near the fuse block. Later cars still had the piezoelectric module, but it made a chime or beep instead of a buzz.

The circuit also involves the door switch (the one that controls the courtesy lamp), so if you're troubleshooting this, you need to check all of it.

[mike561]

good to know about the door switch too, what causes the key reminder not to work after a while? seems to be a common thing to happen

[bhw33191]

Originally Posted by mike561

good to know about the door switch too, what causes the key reminder not to work after a while? seems to be a common thing to happen

I'm not positive what causes it not to work. I recently unplugged mine, and pried open the box just to take a look. I kind of fiddled with some of the components (probably not the best idea) and for a while it started working more often. I think it might be a corroded or loose component inside

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by mike561

Does anyone know if my year caprice (83) came with the key in ignition reminder chime? im thinking of getting a steering wheel puller and looking inside the column to see if theres a sensor or switch for it where the key gets inserted

on my 83 the chime box at the fuse block under the dash [white box] was in need of replacement....went to scrap yard...matched up with a similiar GM vehicle ....

[mike561]

Im thinking the problem might be in the chime box itself rather then the circut, though im no electrical genious

[bhw33191]

Originally Posted by mike561

Im thinking the problem might be in the chime box itself rather then the circut, though im no electrical genious

I have an idea. Unplug the chime box and then (since yours is the 83) there should be 4 prongs i think. Try using sandpaper to clean the prongs. This could be the problem. I think i'll try this myself as a matter of fact. Why replace teh chime box if you dont need to?

[Blue Bowtie]

[mike561]

Originally Posted by bhw33191

I have an idea. Unplug the chime box and then (since yours is the 83) there should be 4 prongs i think. Try using sandpaper to clean the prongs. This could be the problem. I think i'll try this myself as a matter of fact. Why replace teh chime box if you dont need to?

thats good idea, ill try it. thanks for the illustration btw blue bowtie

[mega420]

wow then every old chevy i had never worked lol. and i found the white box yesterday now im gonna look at mine

[mike561]

im not sure if the colors varie, but there is also a little white box thats just the horn module, not the chimer, not to get the two confused

[mike561]

not sure if this thread is too old yet or not if so sry in advance i just wanna know what fuse controls the key reminder chime? if a mod can post an answer then close the thread if its too old, i just diddnt wanna start a whole new thread just for that simple question.

[Blue Bowtie]

IF you read the board posting rules, one of the exceptions for posting in old threads allows for the original poster to update status.

In other words, it's all good.

For a 1983, the 20A CTSY/CLK fuse powers the key warning chime. The GAGE fuse powers the seat belt warning buzzer.

The key minder chime is powered by an orange wire from that fuse. A light green/black striped wire runs to the key cylinder contacts, and the contacts ground the circuit to activate the chime/buzzer. The key warning chime module is normally found plugged into the interior fuse panel or nearby under the instrument cluster.

[mike561]

ok cool, exactly what i needed to know too. blue bowtie, you wouldnt happen to know about the insides of the chimer module itself would you? i know silicon said it uses a piezo element for the sound, but what about the circuts and chips inside it that control the timer for the seatbelt light and chimer? i know silicon is good with this more technical stuff too.