NEWBIE - 1997 VX strange beeping won't stop

[morgan1002 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close morgan1002]

Figured I'd go ahead and introduce myself and start asking advice! Bought a 1997 Prado VX 3.4 with the 5 speed manual a few days ago. Different from other Prados that I have come across, the rearmost seats face sideways and have no seat belts. Imported to Canada (I live in British Columbia) from the UAE. Car is in really good condition, inside and out, but the only problem is a strange, constant chime coming from behind the dash. The seller offered me a deal if I bought the car as is, with the chime. Different than the door open/ignition chime. It sounds like the warning buzzer for leaving the headlights on is stuck. Only comes on when the ignition is in the on position or when the truck is running. When I remove the fuse for the instrument panel, the beeping stops. Took it to a mechanic who said he had no idea, and would have to charge me hourly to start pulling the dash apart.

The buzzing sometimes stops temporarily if you hit the top of the steering wheel/instrument panel. Just a matter of finding the buzzer and removing it I suppose. Anyone know where to start on this one? Is removing the instrument cluster a difficult job?

[pradokid_399 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close pradokid_399]

I really don't know about the chime. is it security system? When transfer case is switched to Neutral especially, a chime sounds. im just guessing, but it isn't hard to pull apart the dash around the fuse box area. However when u get to the instrument cluster, u have to be very careful. I wont go messing around in there if i were you! Just stay below if u know what i mean

Pradokid_399

[Guest Close Guest]

Didn't some OS cars have a buzzer when timing belt was due to be changed?
Then reset by dealer?

[morgan1002 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close morgan1002]

UPDATE - Took me all of 5 minutes to locate this buzzer behind the instrument panel. Turn out all vehicles in UAE are mandated to have an overspeed indicator, which activates once vehicle speed passes 120km/h. My buzzer, however, was malfunctioning. Instrument panel was very easy to remove, unplugged harnesses from the back. Found the buzzer assembly almost immediately. Unscrewed it from the rear of the gauge panel, disconnected it, and binned it.