GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 HUMMER 🢒 2007 🢒 H3 🢒 Diagnostic Navigation 🢒 Vehicle Diagnostic Information 🢒 Audible Warnings Description and Operation

The audible warnings alert the driver of a system concern or a critical vehicle condition. The instrument panel cluster (IPC) generates audible warnings through an internal acoustic speaker. The IPC receives audible warning requests via the serial data circuit. If the IPC receives multiple audible warning requests, the warning with the highest priority sounds first. The following lists the audible warning priority and the pulse rate:

  1. Fast rate chime (200 pulses per minute)
  2. Medium rate chime (150 pulses per minute)
  3. Slow rate chime (50 pulses per minute)
  4. Single chime

Door Ajar Warning

The IPC activates the door ajar audible warning as requested by the body control module (BCM). The BCM sends a serial data message to the IPC indicating the chime frequency and duration. The door ajar warning sounds and the appropriate DOOR AJAR indicator illuminates in the driver information center (DIC) when the following occurs:

    • The body control module (BCM) determines that a door, driver door, passenger door. The IPC receives a serial data message from the BCM indicating the door ajar status.
    • The vehicle is not in park. The IPC receives a serial data message from the BCM indicating the gear position.
    • The vehicle speed is greater than 8.05 km/h (5 MPH). The IPC uses the vehicle speed information from the ECM to calculate the vehicle speed.

Fasten Safety Belt Warning

The IPC activates the fasten safety belt audible warning as requested by the BCM. The BCM sends a serial data message to the IPC indicating the chime frequency and duration. The fasten safety belt warning sounds and the fasten safety belt indicator illuminates when the following occurs:

    • The ignition switch transitions to ON.
    • The inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) detects that the driver's seat belt is not buckled. The IPC receives a serial data message from the SDM indicating the drivers seat belt status.

If the seat belt is buckled when the ignition is turned ON, the chime will not sound. If the seat belt is buckled while the chime is sounding, the chime will stop. If the seat belt is unbuckled after the initial transition to ON, the chime will not sound.

Key-In-Ignition Warning

The IPC activates the key-in-ignition audible warning as requested by the BCM. The BCM sends a serial data message to the IPC indicating the chime frequency and duration. The key-in-ignition warning sounds when the following occurs:

    • The ignition switch is OFF.
    • The body control module (BCM) determines that the driver's door is open. The IPC receives a serial data message from the BCM indicating the door ajar status.
    • The BCM determines that the key-in-ignition switch is closed and the signal circuit is low. The IPC receives a serial data message from the BCM indicating the key-in-ignition status.

Lights On Warning

The IPC activates the lights on warning as requested by the body control module (BCM). The BCM sends a serial data message to the IPC indicating the chime frequency and duration. The lights on warning sounds when the following occurs:

    • The ignition is OFF.
    • The BCM determines that the drivers door is open and the signal circuit is low.
    • The BCM determines that the headlamp switch is in the park or head position.

Park Brake Warning

The IPC activates the park brake audible warning as requested by the BCM. The BCM sends a serial data message to the IPC indicating the chime frequency and duration.

    • The body control module (BCM) determines that the park brake is applied.
    • The vehicle is not in park. The IPC receives a serial data message from the engine control module (ECM) indicating the gear position.
    • The vehicle speed is greater than 8.05 km/h (5 mph). The IPC uses the vehicle speed signal information from the engine control module (ECM) in order to calculate the vehicle speed.

Additional Warnings

The following warnings have an associated instrument panel cluster (IPC) indicator or driver information center (DIC) message:

    • Check Oil Level
        The IPC activates the audible warning as requested by the BCM. The BCM sends a serial data message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration.
    • Low Fuel
        The IPC activates the audible warning as requested by the BCM. The BCM sends a serial data message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration.
    • Oil Pressure Low Stop Engine
        The IPC activates the audible warning as requested by the BCM. The BCM sends a serial data message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration.
    • Reduced Engine Power
        The IPC activates the audible warning as requested by the BCM. The BCM sends a serial data message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration.
    • Trans Hot Idle Engine
        The IPC activates the audible warning as requested by the BCM. The BCM sends a serial data message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration.
    • Turn Signal On
        The IPC activates the audible warning as requested by the BCM. The BCM sends a serial data message to the chime producer indicating the chime frequency and duration.

Refer to Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation.