# Vehicle warning bell/turn signal sound **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 8, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670 "2014-12-08T16:43:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670/1 "2014-12-08T16:43:53Z")
We have a 2009 Chevy Silverado pickup (white - I know the CarTalk guys always asked for the color.) We noticed a while ago that when the turn signals are activated, we don’t hear the click-click to accompany to flashes, but all the signal lights work. Just yesterday, I noticed that ding-ding to say “You left your key in the ignition, dummy!!” is not sounding. Which brings me to my question - are these things related? Is there a single component that makes both sounds? Or a common fuse perhaps? How difficult would it be for me to check and/or replace? I’m pretty handy, but I’m not a contortionist, so if it’s something tucked way up under the dash, chances are I won’t be able to get to it. And after 5 spinal surgeries, no way I’m going to ask my spousal unit to attempt such a feat. If I ask my regular car guys to check it out when I get the oil changed the next time, is it likely to cost me a small fortune? Obviously it’s not a huge deal and not a safety issue - at least not until we accidentally lock the keys inside. Anyway, help? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670/2 "2014-12-08T16:51:15Z")
All those chimes, buzzers, clicks, etc. are built into the vehicle’s audio system. Where, exactly, in the system I don’t know, but GM warns if you replace your genuine GM radio with an aftermarket model, you risk disabling every warning sound. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670/3 "2014-12-08T17:15:30Z")
We haven’t done anything to this truck, other than get a spray-on bedliner. It’s the most basic of vehicles - doesn’t even have power windows or power locks or cruise control!! So the original radio is still in place, and it works just fine. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670/4 "2014-12-08T17:20:49Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > We haven’t done anything to this truck, other than get a spray-on bedliner. It’s the most basic of vehicles - doesn’t even have power windows or power locks or cruise control!! So the original radio is still in place, and it works just fine. what **kunilou** said. The chimes and turn signal “tic-toc” are generated by the DSP in the radio, and there’s a limited number of sounds it can generate at once. A warning chime has higher priority than the turn signal click, so the tic-toc gets overridden. I believe GM radios use the NXP Dirana family of radio/DSP processors, which have built in functions for chime generation. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670/5 "2014-12-08T18:14:34Z")
So if I’m understanding correctly - my radio is broken? I thought the chimes came from a unit plugged in somewhere under the dash. But if it’s integral to the radio, I guess we’ll do without. That seems stupid to me, but what do I know - I’m an Aero engineer, not an electronics engineer… ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670/6 "2014-12-08T18:18:22Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > So if I’m understanding correctly - my radio is broken? I thought the chimes came from a unit plugged in somewhere under the dash. that hasn’t been done for a long time; at least on most cars. Typically the chimes and other sounds are generated by the gauge cluster and played by a small speaker inside it. > [@](#): > > But if it’s integral to the radio, I guess we’ll do without. That seems stupid to me, but what do I know - I’m an Aero engineer, not an electronics engineer… is everything else working correctly (i.e. does the radio still work?) I can’t think of a scenario where the radio would be working fine but the chimes wouldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670/7 "2014-12-08T18:23:07Z")
Radio works fine - well, as fine as it can from here in the boonies where reception mostly sucks. And, as I said, the turn signals are flashing correctly - just silently. For the most part, the truck is for picking up large purchases or hauling our trash and recycling to the local convenience center. Due to the lack of creature comforts and its sucky fuel economy, we rarely drive it outside of the local area. ---
**Author:** ![Clayton1995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/77aa72/32.png) [@Clayton1995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clayton1995)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670/8 "2016-05-17T13:58:36Z")
It is Quite Likely your front left Door speaker, Use the balance/fade feature to verify that particular speaker is working ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670/9 "2016-05-17T14:32:13Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > that hasn’t been done for a long time; at least on most cars. Typically the chimes and other sounds are generated by the gauge cluster and played by a small speaker inside it. > > is everything else working correctly (i.e. does the radio still work?) I can’t think of a scenario where the radio would be working fine but the chimes wouldn’t. Nope, the sound plays through the existing audio speakers. Does your vehicle have Bose audio? Something could be messed up in the signal between the head unit and the Bose amp. Also, have you checked your fuses? Oh, and the technical term that GM uses is click-clack. ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670/10 "2016-05-17T15:46:33Z")
Read your owner’s manual. There may be a setting for these things (on/off) or may be a volume setting and the volume is set to very low. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670/11 "2016-05-17T16:49:36Z")
[Looks like it may be a known wiring issue.](http://chevroletforum.com/forum/silverado-fullsize-pick-ups-21/chimes-speakers-not-working-properly-46724/) ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-warning-bell-turn-signal-sound/706670/12 "2016-05-17T18:17:55Z")
I’m sure that after a year and a half, she’s either decided to get it fixed or decided to ignore it.