Warning Chime Characteristics

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Mustang. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Each warning chime has unique characteristics to identify and differentiate each warning chime. The warning chimes use volume, chime frequency, length of time the chime sounds and the number of chime tones to identify which chime is sounding. The IPC prioritizes the chimes according to a preset hierarchy programmed into the IPC software. When more than one chime request is received by the IPC, the most important chime sounds. If a lower priority chime is currently sounding, the higher priority request takes over and replaces the lower priority chime.

There are 3 different chimes as listed below:

Repetitive
Single tone
Tick-tock

The following table provides a summary of the chime characteristics:

IPC CHIME CHARACTERISTICS

Chime Name	Chime Type	Condition/Description
Air bag warning chime	Repetitive	Consists of 5 sets of chime sequences that make up a chime cycle. Each chime sequence consists of 5 one-second chime tones followed by a 5-second delay.
Belt-Minder® A/B	Repetitive	The chime sounds 6 one-second chime tones/safety belt warning indicator flash sequences for as long as the IPC receives the Belt-Minder® chime request.
Door/trunk ajar warning chime	Single	The door/trunk ajar warning chime warns that a door, or the trunk, is not fully closed. The chime sounds when any door or the trunk becomes ajar while the ignition switch is in the RUN position.
Headlamps on	Repetitive	The headlamps on warning chime is activated when the IPC receives the parking lamps ON message from the SJB, the key is out of the ignition, and the driver door is ajar. The warning consists of repeated one-half second bursts and continues to sound until the exterior lamps are turned off, the driver door is closed, or 10 minutes have elapsed, at which time the battery saver turns the exterior lamps off.
Key-in-ignition	Repetitive	When the key-in-ignition switch closes, it sends a voltage signal to the IPC, which then sounds a warning chime, provided the ignition key is in the ignition lock cylinder, the ignition switch is in the OFF position, and the driver door is open. The IPC sounds a steady tone, which continues until the key is removed, the ignition switch is rotated to the RUN position, or the driver door is closed.
Message center	Single	The message center warning chime accompanies any initial warning message display, as well as any repeated initial warning message. The message center switch tone sounds when any switch on the message center is pressed. The message center switches are supplied with a voltage reference signal from the IPC. When a switch is pressed, it routes the signal through a specific resistor in the switch assembly and then to ground.
Parking brake on	Repetitive	The chime sounds repetitive tones for as long as the parking brake is applied and the IPC receives the chime on command.
Performance shift warning chime	Single	The performance shift warning chime provides an audible alert to inform the driver to shift the transmission gear.
Perimeter alarm	Repetitive	The chime sounds 3 sequences of chime tones. The first sequence sounds 12 tones when the driver door is opened using a key and the alarm is armed. The second sequence sounds 9 chime tones followed by the third sequence of 12 tones.
Safety belt	Repetitive	The chime sounds 6 times or as long as the safety belt is unbuckled and the IPC receives the chime on command.
Turn signal left on	Repetitive	Repetitive chime tone for as long as the RH or LH turn signal is on, the vehicle has travelled 3.2 km (2.0 miles) and the IPC receives the chime on command.
Turn signal	Tick-tock	Repetitive tick-tock tone for as long as the RH or LH turn signal command is received by the IPC.