Chime Warning System: Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Dodge Dakota. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The chime warning system is designed to provide an audible output as an indication of various conditions that may require the attention or awareness of the vehicle operator. The chime warning system components operate on battery current received through a fused B(+) fuse in the Junction Block (JB) on a non-switched fused B(+) circuit so that the system may operate regardless of the ignition switch position.

The chime warning system provides an audible indication to the vehicle operator under the following conditions:

Compass Mini-Trip Computer (CMTC) Reset -The Central Timer Module (CTM) chime tone generator will generate one chime each time a Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus message is received from the optional CMTC indicating that the CMTC has been reset.
Door Ajar Warning -The CTM chime tone generator will generate a chime tone to announce that a hard wired input from any door ajar switch indicates that a door is open with the ignition switch in the On position and the vehicle speed is 0 mph.
Fasten Seat Belt Warning -The CTM chime generator will generate repetitive chimes to announce that a hard wired input from the seat belt switch to the Electro-Mechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) indicates that the driver side front seat belt is not fastened. This chime is based upon a PCI data bus chime request message input to the CTM from the EMIC, but is not tied to the operation of the EMIC "Seatbelt" indicator.
Head/Park/Courtesy Lights-On Warning -The CTM chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes to announce that hard wired inputs from the driver door ajar switch, headlamp switch, and ignition indicate that the exterior or courtesy lamps are turned On with the driver side front door opened and the ignition switch in the Off position. The chimes will continue to sound until the exterior or courtesy lamps are turned Off, the driver side front door is closed, or the ignition switch is turned to the RUN position.
Key-In-Ignition Warning -The CTM chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes to announce that hard wired inputs from the driver door ajar switch and ignition indicate that the key is in the ignition with the driver side front door opened and the ignition switch in the Off or ACC position. The chimes will continue to sound until the key is removed from the ignition, the driver side front door is closed, or the ignition switch is turned to the RUN position.
Overspeed Warning -The CTM chime tone generator will generate repetitive chime tones at a slow rate to announce that a PCI data bus vehicle speed message from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) indicates that the vehicle speed is over a programmed speed value. This feature is only enabled on a CTM that has been programmed with a Middle East Gulf Coast Country (GCC) country code.
Warning Chime Support -The CTM chime tone generator will generate a single chime to announce that a PCI data bus chime request message input has been received from the EMIC or the Airbag Control Module (ACM). These chimes provide an audible alert to the vehicle operator that supplements certain visual indications displayed by the EMIC. Supplemented indications include the following:
- Airbag indicator
- Check Gages indicator
- Low Coolant indicator (diesel engine only)
- Low Fuel indicator
- Low Wash indicator
- Trans Temp indicator (automatic transmission only)
- Water-In-Fuel Indicator (diesel engine only).
- A turn signal indicator is illuminated after the vehicle has surpassed a programmed speed and distance. The EMIC sends a chime request to the CTM. The chimes will continue to sound until the turn signal is turned Off.

The CTM provides chime service for all available features in the chime warning system. CTM determines the priority of each chime tone request input that is received, as well as the rate and duration of each chime tone that is to be generated.

The hard wired chime warning system inputs to the CTM, as well as other hard wired circuits for this system may be diagnosed and tested using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures.