As the title says, the bell goes off when I open the door, but the keys are not in the ignition. I have to put the key in and out or wiggle it to get it to stop. Any thoughts as to what is causing this? Is it something I can fix myself? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Either replace the worn ignition switch or clip the wire that carries this signal back to the chime module.

IIRC, it's a purple/yellow wire that can be easily found by removing the lower column shroud.

Steve

 

Steve

does clipping the purple yellow wire affect anything else important ? I would love to kill the most annoying "key in ignition" bell permenantly.

Thanks
Ralph 150

 

It only affects the key-in-ignition reminder.

Clipped mine a year ago.

Steve

 

My wife and I have the same amount of keys/doodads.
We each drive our vehicles for at least 10 years.
Years ago I got each of us a quick release D-ring to hold them.
When I drive my vehicle I always quick-release the key and drop the rest in the console.
She never quick-releases (never), the whole eight-pound ball is swinging from the steering column.

My 1985 Toyota (14 years) - no problem
Her 1987 Toyota (12 years) - (ding,ding,ding) in fact you could take the key completely out while driving.

My 1999 Ford (6 years) - no problem
Her 1995 Ford (10 years) - (ding-ding-ding)

So, after extensive longterm experimentation I would say consider how much weight you have swinging from the steering column.

 

Thanks Guys

I will get out the clippers but I may go one step further and add a toggel switch down under the steering column so that I can flip it on or off. nice to kill it sometimes but I have to admit the bell has saved my *** a couple times hearing it go off as I hit the power lock button on the door and get ready to shut it up.

Ralph 150

 

OK so the dinger is dead snip snip YaHoo

A couple steps not mentioned in other posts

you need to unscrew the wheel tilt lever with a small wrench and the plastic key guide just snaps in. with this removed the upper shroud is easily moved up out of the way

the wire color on my 2002 was black with red stripe but the wire is easy to identify as it is alone as mentioned earlier and connect to the outside edge of the key slot.

I planned to add a switch to give myself the option of on or off but the plastic ring around the actual lock is Very Very Very tiny and weak and I broke the clip and wire off as I tried to strip the wire back. Plastic could not have been more than 1/8 inch x 1/8 inch across where it snapped so be careful if you wish to ever reconnect.

ralph 150

 

Mine does that. I just smack the top of the steering wheel and it quits...

 

I've got the same problem on mine...

 

Mine just started doing this also. I don't have a weight issue though since I only have 5 keys and 2 of them are small. I think there is something else involved though. Sometimes I have to turn the key to start a couple times to get it to crank. When I do that, the doors will lock then unlock. It's like something is going on with the factory alarm. I am going to spray WD40 in there or do something to lube it.