Attention: TDR Forum Junkies My seat belt light doesn't work right. For most, this would be considered a desired "feature" and will be laughing at me for trying to fix this. 
Here's what happens: Turn key on, seat belt unbuckled, light on the dash comes on for 3 seconds (bulb check) and I get three chimes, then the seat belt light goes off.
Then if the seat belt is buckled, turn the key on, no chimes, light comes on for 3 seconds and goes off. Key still on, unbuckle the seat belt, no light, no chimes.
I know the seat belt switch goes to the cluster directly, then the cluster sends a CCD message to the CTM to indicate if a chime is required or not. I measured resistance on the seat belt switch buckled and unbuckled and it was flakey (like bad contacts). Installed new one from Mopar and I've got the same problem. It's like the chime-maker knows if it's buckled or not, but the cluster doesn't care (even though it knows enough to request the chime). My fear is internal cluster problems, but it seems silly to replace it just for a seat belt light problem.
What I'm asking for is A) any of you folks with a 2001 to describe how your truck works, please, and if this is normal (so I don't chase this ghost too long)
or B) advise from any one with a similar experience that found out what it was.
For those still chuckling, I am the type of person who likes everything working the way it should even if it is an idiot light
I am the second owner of this truck and only have the powertrain warranty left. Besides, I like to do the work myself on this vehicle.
Thanks for reading.
Here's what happens: Turn key on, seat belt unbuckled, light on the dash comes on for 3 seconds (bulb check) and I get three chimes, then the seat belt light goes off.
Then if the seat belt is buckled, turn the key on, no chimes, light comes on for 3 seconds and goes off. Key still on, unbuckle the seat belt, no light, no chimes.
I know the seat belt switch goes to the cluster directly, then the cluster sends a CCD message to the CTM to indicate if a chime is required or not. I measured resistance on the seat belt switch buckled and unbuckled and it was flakey (like bad contacts). Installed new one from Mopar and I've got the same problem. It's like the chime-maker knows if it's buckled or not, but the cluster doesn't care (even though it knows enough to request the chime). My fear is internal cluster problems, but it seems silly to replace it just for a seat belt light problem.
What I'm asking for is A) any of you folks with a 2001 to describe how your truck works, please, and if this is normal (so I don't chase this ghost too long)
or B) advise from any one with a similar experience that found out what it was.
For those still chuckling, I am the type of person who likes everything working the way it should even if it is an idiot light
I am the second owner of this truck and only have the powertrain warranty left. Besides, I like to do the work myself on this vehicle. Thanks for reading.
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