Chime Warning System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 RAM 3500 HD and 2013 RAM 2500 HD. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The chime warning system operates on battery voltage received from the Power Distribution Center (PDC) on a non-switched fused B(+) circuit so that the system may operate regardless of the ignition switch (also known as the Keyless Ignition Node (KIN) or IGnition Node Module (IGNM)) status. The chime warning system also monitors the ignition switch status so that some chime features are functional only when the ignition switch status is On, while other features are functional regardless of the ignition switch status.

In nearly every instance the chime warning system simply provides an audible output to support a visual indication provided by a gauge or an indicator in the Instrument Cluster (IC) (also known as the Common Instrument Cluster (CIC)), or a textual message displayed by the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Outputs of the system include the following:

Battery Charge System Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime each time the battery charge indicator is illuminated. This warning indicates that a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) has been set for a fault monitored in the battery charging system or that the monitored electrical system voltage is low. This chime will only occur once during any ignition cycle.
Critical Text Warning Message - The IC transducer will generate one short chime each time a critical text warning message is displayed within the EVIC.
Door Ajar Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime each time the door ajar indicator is illuminated. This warning indicates that a door is, or multiple doors are not closed or completely latched while the vehicle is moving.
Electronic Stability Control Malfunction Indicator Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime each time the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction indicator is illuminated. This warning will only occur following completion of the ESC indicator bulb test, and will only occur once during any ignition cycle.
Electronic Stability Control Off Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime each time the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system has been manually disabled using the ESC Off/traction control switch on the instrument panel.
Service Electronic Throttle Control Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime each time the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) indicator is illuminated. This warning indicates that a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) has been set for a fault monitored in a circuit or component of the ETC system. This chime will only occur once during any ignition cycle.
Engine Coolant Over Temperature Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime each time the coolant temperature indicator is illuminated. This warning indicates that the monitored coolant temperature is too high. This chime will repeat only if the coolant temperature indicator is extinguished then illuminated again due to cyclical changes in monitored engine coolant temperature.
Engine Coolant Temperature Critical Warning - The IC transducer will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate each time the monitored engine coolant temperature is critical. This chime will repeat only if the coolant temperature indicator is extinguished then illuminated again due to cyclical changes in monitored engine coolant temperature.
Exterior Lamps On Warning - The IC transducer will generate repetitive chimes at a fast rate to indicate that the exterior lighting is turned On with the driver side front door opened and the status of the ignition switch is Off. The chimes will continue to sound until the exterior lamps are turned Off or the driver side front door is closed, whichever occurs first.
Key Fob Not Detected Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime when the KEY FOB NOT DETECTED textual message is displayed in the EVIC. This warning indicates that the optional Keyless Go (KG) system will not operate until a valid key fob is detected within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Key In Ignition Warning - The IC transducer will generate repetitive chimes at a fast rate to indicate that a key is in the ignition with the driver side front door opened and the status of the ignition switch is Off. The chimes will continue to sound until the key is removed from the ignition or the driver side front door is closed, whichever occurs first.
Low Fuel Indicator Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime when the low fuel indicator is illuminated. This warning indicates that the monitored fuel level in the fuel tank is low. This chime will occur only once during any ignition cycle.
Low Oil Pressure Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime when the low oil pressure indicator is illuminated. This warning indicates that the monitored engine oil pressure is low. This chime will occur only if an engine speed message indicates the engine is running.
Low Washer Fluid Indicator Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime when the low washer fluid indicator is illuminated. This warning indicates that the monitored fluid level in the washer reservoir is low. This chime will occur only once during any ignition cycle.
Overspeed Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime each time the vehicle speed is over a pre-programmed speed value. This feature is only enabled on vehicles that have been configured for sale in a Middle East Gulf Coast Country (GCC).
Park Brake Reminder - The IC transducer will generate one short chime to announce that the park brake is applied while the vehicle is moving. This chime will repeat each time the input conditions are met.
Seat Belt Indicator Warning - The IC transducer will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate when the seat belt indicator is illuminated. This warning will only occur following completion of the seat belt reminder function of the indicator. The chimes will continue until the driver side front seat belt is fastened or the status of the ignition switch transitions to Off, whichever occurs first. The chime warning system also supports the enhanced seat belt reminder (beltminder) feature when it is enabled. Refer to INDICATORS, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, OPERATION .
Service Airbag System Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime each time the airbag indicator is illuminated. This warning indicates that a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) has been set for a fault monitored in a circuit or component of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). This warning will only occur following completion of the airbag indicator bulb test, and will only occur once during any ignition cycle.
Service Antilock Brake System Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime each time the Antilock Brake System (ABS) indicator is illuminated. This warning indicates that a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) has been set for a fault monitored in a circuit or component of the Antilock Brake System (ABS). This warning will only occur following completion of the ABS indicator bulb test, and will only occur once during any ignition cycle.
Service Electronic Braking System Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime each time the SERVICE ELECTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM textual message is displayed in the EVIC. This warning indicates that a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) has been set for a fault monitored in a circuit or component of the electronic braking system. This chime will only occur once during any ignition cycle.
Service Engine Soon Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime when the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) lamp is illuminated. This warning indicates that a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) has been set for a fault monitored in a circuit or component of the fuel injection, ignition or emissions systems. This chime will only occur following completion of the MIL indicator bulb test, and will only occur once during any ignition cycle.
Tire Pressure Monitor System Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime each time the Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) indicator is illuminated. This warning indicates either that a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) has been set for a fault monitored in a circuit or component of the TPM system, or that the air pressure in a monitored tire is too low. This chime will only occur once during any ignition cycle.
Transmission Over Temperature Warning - The IC transducer will generate one short chime each time the transmission over temperature indicator is illuminated. This warning indicates that the monitored automatic transmission fluid temperature is too high. This chime will repeat only if the transmission coolant over temperature indicator is extinguished then illuminated again due to cyclical changes in monitored automatic transmission fluid temperature.
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Flasher Emulation - The IC relay will generate repetitive clicks at a slow rate to emulate an electromechanical flasher when the turn signal or hazard warning systems are operating. The relay will generate repetitive clicks at a fast rate to indicate that the right or left turn signals are operating with one or more bulbs ineffective. In either case, the clicks will continue until the turn signal and hazard warning systems are turned Off.
Turn Signal On Warning - The IC transducer will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate to indicate that a turn signal has been active continuously for 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) with the vehicle speed greater than 22 kilometers-per-hour (15 miles-per-hour). Vehicles built for markets other than the United States and Canada have a revised distance threshold of 4 kilometers (2.49 miles) for this feature. The chimes will continue until the turn signal input becomes inactive or until the electronic vehicle speed message indicates that the speed is less than 22 kilometers-per-hour (15 miles-per-hour), whichever occurs first. The hazard warning flashers will not activate this chime feature.
Water In Fuel Warning - In vehicles equipped with an optional diesel engine, the IC transducer will generate one short chime each time the water in fuel indicator is illuminated. This warning indicates that excessive water has been detected within the diesel fuel system. This chime will only occur once during any ignition cycle.

The IC provides chime service for all available features in the chime warning system, except for the audible warning function provided by the radio for the optional park assist system. The IC relies upon its internal programming, numerous hard wired inputs and electronic message inputs received from other electronic modules over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus to provide the chime warning system features. The programming of the IC determines the priority of each chime request input that is received, as well as the rate and duration of each chime that is to be generated.

The hard wired circuits between components related to the chime warning system may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin out information and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

However, conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the chime warning system or the electronic controls and communication between modules and other devices that provide some features of the chime warning system. The most reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose the chime warning system or the electronic controls and communication related to chime warning system operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.