Aviator

Well I've just purchased my first 944, a very clean 89 S2. Only a few mechanical things to be tinkered with. New half shafts and front suspension, as well as new rotors in the front. Other than that it's a real beauty. I'm cleaning the car today to take some pictures, however, in cleaning the interior and having the doors open I am listening to an incessant interior chime.

It's driving me nuts and it needs to stop now. It happens whenever a door is open, regardless if the lights are on or if the key is in the ignition. I went through the workshop manual and couldn't find the right wire to pull, and I also did a search here and on google and couldn't find any info.

If someone could suggest any fixes to this I would be greatly appreciative. Right now I feel like killing something from that damn chiming all the time.

bearone

to clarify, if the key is removed do you hear the chime?

87951

Aviator

Yes, all the time, whenever the driver's door is open. Passenger door has no effect, and no chime.

Calmchaos

Mine kind of used to do this.
The thing that tells the car the key is out isn't closing all the way.
When you pull the key out do it real fast. Sometimes that works.
OR after you pull it out and it still chimes, stick the key in about 2-3mm and twist the lock cylinder back and forth and it should free the sensors up and let them snap shut.

Let me know if that works.
~Brett

JimV8

Try spraying contact cleaner into the ignition key cylinder.

Zero10

If none of the above work, a quick fix is to pull the chime relay from the fuse panel
But you should still find the root cause of the issue.

Aviator

Alright, thanks guys, I'm going to try and see if the sensor can be freed, if not some contact cleaner, I'll know by tonight either way.

Ahh, the little joys of the 944. Best buy of my life so far!

PCA 944

Wait until you try to sell one.

Aviator

No luck with twisting the key or contact cleaner, but my ignition cylinder is now much much cleaner inside judging by all the black sludge that came out!

As for selling, never. I always keep what I buy. It took years to find the right 944 and it's mine for the long haul.

Keep the suggestions rolling in. Is it only supposed to chime when the key is left in, or also if the lights are on too?

Calmchaos

It'll do it if just the lights are on with no key in.

When you pull the key out does the ignition have two little "bars"(? I guess) on either side that close up?

Keithr726

My only does it with the key in. Its in the relay box, the only thing with a speaker on it. Mine makes noise for a few seconds and then changes pitch and begins to die.

VWaddict

If your turn signal is not in the center position, it will chime.

If your lights are on, it will chime.

If your key is in the ignition it will chime.

If it thinks that your shoes don't go with your pants, it will chime....

Okay, I made that last one up but here's one thing to try:

(With the key removed) turn the steering wheel until the steering lock engages. That sometimes makes things behave.

Otherwise, check the turn signal/lights/ignition wiring hasn't been molested in some sort of attempted-alarm-installation nightmare...

Keith

Aviator

Ok, thanks for all the replies - greatly appreciated mates!

However, none of them worked. Headlights on or off, turn signals on or off, steering locked or not, key in or out. Basically all the time the door is open. Constant pitch, unwavering for the hour I was cleaning the driver's seat. The little doors do shut in the ignition cylinder, and the alarm is standard and the wiring appears to be completely untouched; plus the car has zero mods other than 17" Boxter wheels...for now, UPS comes on friday.

I suppose the answer will turn up in time. Someday I'll break out the voltmeter and go through the harness, fun.

Keep em' coming if you have any more thoughts.

-Aviator

Calmchaos

Pull the speaker for the buzzer or... you could take the button out that says the door is open, either short the wires or separate them (whichever way makes the car think the door is closed) and put the button back on.

It'll look normal with the button still there but no more buzzer.
If I went through all the crap you just did for the buzzer, it would be reckless hammer fix of destruction time.

Aviator

I've the patience to find the root cause I suspect...I hope, I did just buy a new ball pean hammer.

An interesting twist: parking on a flat part of my gravel driveway I think that I have deduced that my steering column lock is non existent. Before I was on a slope and mistook the resistance for the lock in a rush. Now it seems that no lock whatsoever engages. Would anyone know if all 944 S2s have a column lock?