Chime System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Dodge Ram Wagon, 2002 Dodge Ram Van, 2001 Dodge Ram Wagon, and 2001 Dodge Ram Van. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Two versions of the chime warning system are available, a base version, and a high-line version. Both versions of the chime warning system include a chime tone generator that is integral to the Electro-Mechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) to provide an audible indication of various vehicle conditions that may require the attention of the vehicle operator. The high-line version adds a second chime tone generator that is integral to the Central Timer Module (CTM). The chime warning system includes the following major components:

Central Timer Module
Door Ajar Switch
Headlamp Switch
Ignition Switch
Instrument Cluster
Seat Belt Switch

The chime warning system provides the following audible warnings to the vehicle operator:

Airbag Indicator

The Electro-Mechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) chime generator will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate when a Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus message is received from the Airbag Control Module (ACM) requesting airbag indicator illumination. This chime will also occur if the EMIC receives no airbag indicator, status messages from the ACM for about three seconds.

Electrical System Voltage Low or High

The EMIC chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate when a. CCD data bus message is received from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) indicating that the electrical system voltage is too low or too high.

Engine Coolant Temperature High

The EMIC chime tone generator will generate repetitive chime tones at a slow rate when a CCD data bus message is received from the PCM indicating that the engine coolant temperature is too high.

Engine Oil Pressure Low

The EMIC chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate when CCD data bus messages are received from the PCM indicating that the engine oil pressure is too low and the engine is running.

Fasten Seat Belt

The EMIC chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate to announce that a hard wired input from the seat belt switch indicates that the driver side front seat belt is not fastened with the ignition switch in the "on" position. This chime tone is based upon a hard wired chime request input to the EMIC, but is not related to the operation of the EMIC seat belt indicator.

Head/Park Lights-On

The EMIC or Central Timer Module chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a fast rate to announce that the hard wired input to the EMIC or the CTM, from the driver side front door ajar switch, through the headlamp switch, indicates that the exterior lamps are turned "on" with the driver side front door opened and the ignition switch in the OFF position.

Key-In Ignition

The EMIC or CTM chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a fast rate to announce that the hard wired input to the EMIC or CTM, from the driver side front door ajar switch, through the ignition switch, indicates that the key is in the ignition lock cylinder with the driver side front door opened and the ignition switch in the OFF position.

Low Fuel

The EMIC chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate when CCD data bus messages received from the PCM for ten consecutive seconds while the vehicle is not moving, or for sixty consecutive seconds while the vehicle is moving, indicate that there is less than one-eighth tank of fuel remaining.

Low Washer Fluid

The EMIC chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate when the hard wired input to the EMIC, from the washer fluid level switch, indicates the washer fluid level is low for thirty consecutive seconds after the ignition switch is first turned to the ON position, or for sixty consecutive seconds after the low washer indicator is turned off following the ignition "on" bulb check.

Overspeed Warning

On Middle East Gulf Coast Country (GCC) vehicles only, the EMIC chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate to announce that the vehicle speed messages received from the PCM over the CCD data bus indicate that the vehicle speed exceeds a programmed value. The chimes will continue to sound until the messages indicate that the vehicle speed is below the programmed value.

Transmission Temperature

The EMIC chime tone generator will generate repetitive chimes at a slow rate when CCD data bus messages received from the PCM indicating that the transmission oil temperature is too high.

Chime service for the head/park lights-on warning and the key-in ignition warning is provided by the EMIC in the base chime warning system, while these same features are provided by the CTM in the high line chime warning system. The EMIC provides chime service for all of the remaining features in both chime warning systems. The EMIC and the CTM rely upon their programming and hard wired inputs from the driver side door ajar switch, the headlamp switch, and the ignition switch, to provide chime service for the head/park lights-on warning and the key-in ignition warning. For the fasten seat belt warning chime service, the EMIC uses a hard wired input from the driver seat belt switch on the seat belt switch sense circuit. For low washer warning chime service, the EMIC uses a hard wired input from the washer fluid level switch on the low washer fluid sense circuit. The EMIC relies upon message inputs received from other modules over the CCD data bus network to provide chime service for all of the remaining chime warning system features. Upon receiving the proper inputs, the EMIC or the CTM activates its integral chime tone generator to provide the audible chime tone to the vehicle operator. The internal programming of the EMIC and the 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. On models with the high-line version of the chime warning system, it is not possible for both the EMIC and the CTM to generate chime tones at the same time. This is prevented by having the instrument cluster provide chime service only for conditions requiring the ignition switch to be in the "on" position, and the CTM provide chime service only for conditions requiring the ignition switch to be in any position except ON.

The hard wired, chime warning system, inputs to the EMIC or the CTM, as well as other hard wired circuits for this system may be diagnosed and tested using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Conventional diagnostic methods may not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the EMIC, the CTM, or the CCD data bus network. The most reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose the EMIC, the CTM, and the CCD data bus network inputs for the chime warning system requires the use of a DRBIII(R) scan tool.