Warning buzzer pre-Model 71?

[dlhoovler]

While working on my steering wheel and turn signal switch this evening, I discovered this inside the column surround.

 

 

Some searching of my wiring diagram shows that it's a warning buzzer, confirmed by a search of the markings on here. I've never known it to work on my car, so I didn't know it was there. 

 

But I thought those were seat belt buzzers, and there was no "FASTEN SEAT BELTS" pod on my car, nor contacts on the original Klippan belts - I didn't even know they put the buzzer on the early cars (mine is an early 1971, built 11/30/70). The diagram shows it connected to the driver's door switch, but also a "warning buzzer contact." Was the latter on the ignition switch, as a key reminder? 

 

-Dave

Edited July 17, 2020 by dlhoovler

[Preyupy]

It is a "Key in the Ignition" buzzer.  it is connected to the ignition switch and the door switch. 

[Son of Marty]

I always found that buzzer to be redundant because you can't lock the drivers door with out that key.

[dlhoovler]

11 minutes ago, Son of Marty said:

I always found that buzzer to be redundant because you can't lock the drivers door with out that key.

 

I would find it doubly redundant these days - with a manual transmission AND a manual choke, I could probably just leave the key in the ignition all the time! 

 

Thanks to both of you for the quick confirmation. Now I wonder where and when it was disconnected, or if the buzzer just broke at some point. 

 

-Dave

[Mike Self]

3 hours ago, dlhoovler said:

Now I wonder where and when it was disconnected, or if the buzzer just broke at some point. 

I believe the key-in-the-ignition buzzer was Federally mandated a year or two before the fasten seat belts sign, so you can thank Ralph (Nader) and company for that little irritation.  Not sure when it was added but my second series '69 (Feb 69 production) doesn't have it.  I think (but am not sure) it began with the 1971 models:  not the "modell 71" cars but the actual model year that began in Sept '70.

 

They were commonly disconnected within days of purchase as they have a squealy, whiney sound that makes you want to flatten it with a BFH.  Also they took their power from a wire that emerged from the side of the ignition lock, and was subject to (accidental as well as delberate) breakage.  

 

cheers

mike

3 hours ago, dlhoovler said:

with a manual transmission AND a manual choke,

Best anti-theft device around!

[dlhoovler]

9 hours ago, Mike Self said:

I believe the key-in-the-ignition buzzer was Federally mandated a year or two before the fasten seat belts sign... 

 

I had no idea that was a Federal mandate, especially since it seems like more of an anti-theft measure than safety. Although maybe it's to keep 5-year-olds him taking joyrides. 

 

Ought to be a way to incorporate it as an alarm measure - annoy a crook into leaving the car alone! 

 

Thanks for the detail. 

-Dave

[PaulTWinterton]

15 hours ago, dlhoovler said:

Was the latter on the ignition switch, as a key reminder? 

 

...also AFAIR the buzzer was affixed to the inside center of the steering column facia with a bolt.  The bolt was probably one of the first bits to get lost, leaving the gaping hole in the center of the facia.

 

I wonder about changing the buzzzzzzer to a mellow chime. It might be a fun upgrade and not really annoying.  It might even be useful when you open the door to exit the vehicle and realize that the key is still in the ignition.  

[dlhoovler]

20 minutes ago, PaulTWinterton said:

 

...also AFAIR the buzzer was affixed to the inside center of the steering column facia with a bolt.  The bolt was probably one of the first bits to get lost, leaving the gaping hole in the center of the facia.

 

I wonder about changing the buzzzzzzer to a mellow chime. It might be a fun upgrade and not really annoying.  It might even be useful when you open the door to exit the vehicle and realize that the key is still in the ignition.  

 

"The door is ajar. The door is ajar." 

 

https://youtu.be/VIpfUuRg1VE

 

My buzzer is held in place by one of the four long slotted-head screws securing the top and bottom halves of the steering column housing together. I have the aluminum housing, though, so it may have been different when they switched to plastic. 

 

-Dave

Edited July 17, 2020 by dlhoovler

[PaulTWinterton]

1 minute ago, dlhoovler said:

I have the aluminum housing, though, so it may have been different when they switched to plastic. 

 

Interesting.

 

1 minute ago, dlhoovler said:

"The door is ajar. The door is ajar."

 

Funny.

['76mintgrün'02]

The buzzer in my car was still functioning the day I bought it; but it wasn't functioning the next day.  

 

That was an awful sound.  I figured it must have been due to age.  I can't imagine they would have chosen a buzzer like that, no matter what the purpose... aside from "annoy a crook", as Dave says.

 

I also removed the little noise maker from my Subaru, even though it makes a beautiful sound, using two little suspended chimes that alternate.  I guess I just don't like the car telling me what to do.  

 

43 minutes ago, PaulTWinterton said:

I wonder about changing the buzzzzzzer to a mellow chime.

 

If you want a pretty little chime, Paul, find one from an EA81 Subaru.  There is a little tiny plunger that pops back and forth, ringing two tone chimes; making a delightful sound.

 

I think an "Oops, you left the lights on" chime could be useful.  In the Subaru, the lights turn off with the key.  Completely.  Unlike the 2002, where the headlights turn off, but the driving lights stay on.  I killed my dying battery that way, once.

 

[dlhoovler]

55 minutes ago, '76mintgrün'02 said:

I guess I just don't like the car telling me what to do.  

 

 

Well, I programed out the seat belt chime on both my E46 and my current GTI. I always wear the seat belt, so the sound just annoys me when I'm doing some work with the ignition on or moving the car in my driveway. 

 

55 minutes ago, '76mintgrün'02 said:

I think an "Oops, you left the lights on" chime could be useful.  In the Subaru, the lights turn off with the key.  Completely.  Unlike the 2002, where the headlights turn off, but the driving lights stay on.  

 

 

I agree with that. On my '02 (early' 71) the headlights DON'T go off with the ignition. Easy to forget and leave them on. It'd probably be pretty easy to wire the buzzer up that way: hot from the headlight switch, ground running thru the driver's door switch. Hmm... 

 

-Dave

Edited July 17, 2020 by dlhoovler

['76mintgrün'02]

1 minute ago, dlhoovler said:

the buzzer

 

no, not that one.  No buzzers for me.

 

This thread is making me want to take a battery with me to the YankApart and go hunting for door chimes.

 

Yay, a fun new thing to collect.  Small and affordable too.  A new hobby!

 

[dlhoovler]

So when I was home for lunch I pulled the driver's door switch and dug around inside the door jamb to find the other end of the buzzer ground wire, wrapped in old cloth electrical tape. 

 

 

And like an idiot I reconnected it. You guys aren't kidding - it's like an asthmatic miniature nanny goat in heat! 

 

 

Then I went to leave to go back to work. And I got to listen to that sound the whole time I pushed the car back into the garage after the carb float bowl ran dry and the car wouldn't restart. Now I have another project! ?

 

-Dave

[mvliotta]

I don’t know.. I like the buzzer.
 

After about 5 years of ownership still not tired of it. For me it’s just another reminder of the quirkiness of these cars. 
 

Vince