Here'* a strange one that I haven't seen mentioned here anywhere...

Since the cold weather has reared its ugly head, my '88 has taken to voicing an annoying continuous tone with the key in "run" . It usually happens when the car has not been recently driven (read: cold), and when it is below freezing. It is not the headlamp/seatbelt/key warning alarm - these are independant.

It *sometimes* goes away as the car is driven, but usually have to stop and restart the car after it warms up. Heat helps, so loose wire maybe???

My DIC and compass are not illuminated (another story...checking on that...), but I don't think that it is an alarm from there, since it does not alarm every time I start the car.

Thanks

-Nick
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Nick Lazic
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
1988 Bonneville SSE, ~298,100KM (09 Feb/03) and counting...

Sounds kind of like what the 92-99 do. Sometimes when my DIC display does strange things, it chimes for no reason. I know mine is the instrument panel, but I would have to review a good electrical diagram of the 88 before being able to know if the MFC module gets its info from the instrument panel.

i have an 88 SSE and when its cold sometimes the doors start locking and unlocking independantly lol. lock unlock lock lock lock, "clickclick" unlock...... etc.. its actually kinda funny but id rather have it not do that... oh well

Check to see that the key lock on your door is completely straight after taking your key out from unlocking the car. If you pull the key out before turning the lock back to centre, you may still be in the "unlock" position.

that constant beeping your hearing , believe it or not is the thermostat, it wont stop till u change it, i know, the noise was driving me up the wall, also the dic and compass dont work because the connectors are dirty just take your dash apart on a nice day and give it a good cleaning , youll have your car back to norm in no time, also for the door lock thingy, there is a wire under the drivers side floor, if the wire breaks or has a short, it does strange things like unlock or lock the doors, and inflate your lumbars without anyone in the car. just lift the carpet and check should be an orange wire...

ciao

Bonnieboy23:

When you say thermostat, you're referring to the one in the engine that governs coolant flow, not the electronic climate control - just want to be sure. If that is the case, do you know what exactly is going on that is causing it to beep? I'll (eventually...) get around to replacing the thermostat, but am curious to see what is going on. It appears to be functioning normally - engine operates at normal temps, heats up quick and does not overheat...

For the compass/info centre - when it gets warmer, I'll give that a shot. It may not be until early May when I get the chance, but when I do, I'll post here.

Thanks

okay, well my 89 sse started beeping again at me, i changed the thermostat on it....( wasnt that) I asked how to help get my dic and compass working, ( to get it running u have to knock on the left side of the dash by the vent in front ...almost right underneath the compass..keep knocking and it will come to life...u might have to do this a few times to get it to stay on...just dont break your plastic cover like i did and cut your hand to hell...lol..) after thats on . look at your driver center..i bet u any money one of your doors either one in the back has a bad wire, which is associated with cold weather in bonnevilles for some odd reason.. mine was the driver side door in the back...i had to cut the wire in it to get it to stop...its the one that leads to the latch where it connects when u shut the door, cut the white wire and not the other one..that is your alarm... ( if you cant get your dic working. test the wires with a light..u will see it flash on and off if there is a bad connection)...hope that works ..let me know if it does

I'd be looking at a frozen latch. Open your door panels after a thaw and spray down each latch with light silicone or teflon oil. This will help repel moisture and prevent ice buildup. SSEi95 recently had a similar problem with his driver'* door. Wouldn't latch. Drove home holding it closed until it thawed out.

Your car probably does think a door is open.