Occasional single chime but no DTC, happening more lately

[verk]

Hi Forum. I'm noticing this happening more than the previously once every few years. Just a single chime identical to low fuel warning at what seems random moment. My simple scan tool and built-in code display on odometer show no codes. I'm running the original design out of tank lift pump ( replaced the original which failed at 80k and I'm now at 160k so 80k on the replacement, hmmmm). I've purchased a secondary fuel-filter with a pressure transducer for monitoring low pressure side of injection pump, but have not yet installed. Next nice day. I'm also running original injectors. Any other known reasons for single chime or things to look for ?

Sven

 

[Wayne M.]

It's my belief that the ding, as I call it, could be an intermittent connection to a lamp, or other monitored circuit. I get it once in a while too, usually on bumps.

 

[Tuesdak]

X2 - lamp out. An intermittent connection comes and goes so quick and someone overlooked a failure mode making the notification instant on/off. No buffer, time delay, to see what chimed or prevent a nuisance chime.

I wound up replacing the front turn signal sockets and bulbs to cure it. Several replacement bulbs alone did not cure it. (Later as time went on: At times the lamp wouldn't flash with unlock/lock and I would get a turn signal fast flash as well as a real Lamp Out message.) I could see a small black burn mark on the bulb contact wire on the bulb itself. Tail light sockets are a known nuisance failure so I replaced them (later) and the bulbs as well.

 

[AEdelheit]

On my last 04.5 it was one of the headlights connectors that was causing it, but new connectors on and no more chime.

 

[Wayne M.]

Incredibly, neither of my headlamp assemblies have ever been out. But for some reason I eat tail lamp bulbs- regardless of brand.

 

[jgillott]

Wait, are you guys talking about a Ram with random strange electrical issues? I can't imagine that for one minute. :-laf

 

[verk]

Incredibly, neither of my headlamp assemblies have ever been out. But for some reason I eat tail lamp bulbs- regardless of brand.

Thanks for the informative replies. I too am still using original headlamp bulbs, have replaced only right tail lamp bulb twice and interior dome bulb which now has an LED as it is not monitored. So without DTC there really is no way to diagnose ? Looking at the wiring diagram of instrument cluster (where tone generator lives) I see lots of "SENSE" or inputs as well as PCI bus. Can single chime be caused by another module or will this only be caused by the devices connected directly to cluster like seatbelt, headlamp, turn, brake, door ajar, door lock, etc. ?

 

[Wayne M.]

Thanks for the informative replies. Looking at the wiring diagram of instrument cluster (where tone generator lives) I see lots of "SENSE" or inputs as well as PCI bus. Can single chime be caused by another module or will this only be caused by the devices connected directly to cluster like seatbelt, headlamp, turn, brake, door ajar, door lock, etc. ?

You’re welcome. Sorry I can’t be more of a help. You’re right that there are many monitored circuits, and it is a mechanics nightmare to nail down such an intermittent issue. IIRC, with the old DRB III scan tool you were able to monitor circuits like these, and if I’m thinking right, you might nail it down that way. By seeing the open when it happens either by driving or wiggling harnesses.

 

[Pawpaw]

I had the same problem. Replacing the tail light circuit strips from Geno's cured it.

https://www.genosgarage.com/product/drm923030-tail-light-circuitstrip/taillights