Principles Of Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Monterey and 2004 Ford Freestar. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The instrument cluster controls the following warning chimes:

driver or passenger safety belt not fastened warning chime (warning times out)
key-in-ignition warning (repetitive chime)
headlamp-on warning (repetitive chime)
door ajar warning (repetitive chime)
safety belt warning chime (repetitive chime)
belt minder warning chime (repetitive chime after a delay and the safety belt chime has completed)

The safety belt warning chime warns that the safety belt is not fastened. The safety belt warning chime sounds when the driver or passenger safety belt is not fastened and the key switch is turned from the OFF/LOCK or ACC to the RUN or START position.

The safety belt warning chime stops sounding when the safety belt is fastened, when the key switch is switched from the RUN or START to the OFF/LOCK or ACC position, or when the chime has sounded for approximately 6 seconds.

The safety belt warning chime inputs are:

key in START position
key in RUN position
driver or passenger safety belt switch data communicated by the restraint control module (RCM) to the instrument cluster on circuits 608 (BK/YE) and 1083 (LB/BK).

The safety belt warning lamp along with the chime warns that the safety belt is not fastened. The safety belt warning lamp illuminates when the safety belt is not fastened and the key is turned from the OFF/LOCK or ACC to the RUN or START position.

The safety belt warning lamp turns off when the safety belt is fastened, the key is moved from the RUN or START to the OFF/LOCK or ACC position, or if the lamp is illuminated for approximately 6 seconds.

The safety belt warning lamp inputs are:

key in START position
key in RUN position
driver or passenger safety belt switch data communicated by the restraint control module (RCM) to the instrument cluster on circuits 608 (BK/YE) and 1083 (LB/BK).

NOTE: The belt minder is configurable. For additional information, refer to CONFIGURABLE MODULES . To configure without using a diagnostic tool, refer to BELT MINDER DEACTIVATING/ACTIVATING .

The belt minder feature supplements the current safety belt warning function. The belt minder is enabled after the current safety belt warning is complete. The belt minder reminds the driver that the driver or passenger safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the instrument cluster. While activated, the belt minder alternates the chime and indicator from on for 6 seconds to off for 30 seconds.

The door ajar warning chime warns that a door is not fully closed. The chime sounds when any door or the luggage compartment lid becomes ajar while the key is in the RUN position.

The door ajar warning indicator warns that a door is not fully closed. The door ajar warning indicator illuminates when any door or the luggage compartment lid initially becomes ajar while the key is in the RUN position.

The door ajar warning indicator turns off when all doors and the luggage compartment lid are closed, or the key is turned to the OFF/LOCK or ACC position.

The door ajar warning lamp/chime inputs are:

key in START position
key in RUN position
door ajar data communicated by the SJB to the instrument cluster on the SCP communication network

The key-in-ignition warning chime warns that the key is still in the ignition when the driver door is ajar. The key-in-ignition warning chime sounds when the driver door is ajar and the key is in the ignition switch.

The key-in-ignition warning chime stops sounding when the driver door is closed or the key is removed from the ignition.

The key-in-ignition warning chime input is the key-in-ignition switch circuit 1414 (LG/VT), voltage applied with the key in ignition.

The headlamp on warning chime warns that the headlamps are on when the driver door is ajar and the key is removed from the ignition. The headlamps on warning chime sounds if the driver door is ajar, the headlamp switch is in the PARK or HEAD position, and the key is in the OFF/LOCK position with the key out.

The headlamp on warning chime will stop sounding when any one of the above conditions are removed.

The headlamp on warning chime inputs are:

key in START position
key in RUN position
key-in-ignition switch circuit 1414 (LG/VT), no voltage applied with the key removed from the ignition switch