Annoying chirp in the dash

[sfcwayno]

For the past month and a half I have had this chirp sound from the driver's side in the dash. It sounds similar to a cell phone dying. It occurs with the engine off, idling, and driving (all the time). It goes off every 2 minutes and 15 seconds to 2 and a half minutes. I have had diagnostics run and there are no codes. I disconnected the batteries and it stopped, but as soon as battery power was hooked up, it started again. I tried to upload a video file with the chirp, but it wouldn't allow the mp4 extension. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[KeithP]

For the past month and a half I have had this chirp sound from the driver's side in the dash. It sounds similar to a cell phone dying. It occurs with the engine off, idling, and driving (all the time). It goes off every 2 minutes and 15 seconds to 2 and a half minutes. I have had diagnostics run and there are no codes. I disconnected the batteries and it stopped, but as soon as battery power was hooked up, it started again. I tried to upload a video file with the chirp, but it wouldn't allow the mp4 extension. Anyone have any ideas?

This is the 5th gen (2019-present) forum you may have better luck getting advice if you post in the 4th Gen (2009-2018) forum.

 

[sfcwayno]

For the past month and a half I have had this chirp sound from the driver's side in the dash. It sounds similar to a cell phone dying. It occurs with the engine off, idling, and driving (all the time). It goes off every 2 minutes and 15 seconds to 2 and a half minutes. I have had diagnostics run and there are no codes. I disconnected the batteries and it stopped, but as soon as battery power was hooked up, it started again. I tried to upload a video file with the chirp, but it wouldn't allow the mp4 extension. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[RamDiver]

For the past month and a half I have had this chirp sound from the driver's side in the dash. It sounds similar to a cell phone dying. It occurs with the engine off, idling, and driving (all the time). It goes off every 2 minutes and 15 seconds to 2 and a half minutes. I have had diagnostics run and there are no codes. I disconnected the batteries and it stopped, but as soon as battery power was hooked up, it started again. I tried to upload a video file with the chirp, but it wouldn't allow the mp4 extension. Anyone have anoy ideas?

That sounds fascinating, and kind of annoying.

Could you provide any more details on the location?
Upper/lower dash, more right or left of the steering column?

Do you have any aftermarket equipment installed in the vicinity?

If you can find a host site for your video, like YouTube, you can post the url link.


And, welcome to Ram Forum.

.

 

[Sherman Bird]

For the past month and a half I have had this chirp sound from the driver's side in the dash. It sounds similar to a cell phone dying. It occurs with the engine off, idling, and driving (all the time). It goes off every 2 minutes and 15 seconds to 2 and a half minutes. I have had diagnostics run and there are no codes. I disconnected the batteries and it stopped, but as soon as battery power was hooked up, it started again. I tried to upload a video file with the chirp, but it wouldn't allow the mp4 extension. Anyone have any ideas?

I wonder if someone installed a tracking device.

 

[Curmudgeon]

That sure is pretty regular and doesn't seem random at all.
Put a new battery in your smoke detector?
All I got. Good luck.

Edit/Afterthought: Most of our truck have a "knee panel" right under the steering column that can be removed, allowing better access, better than lying under the dash on your back!

I believe you will find 2 screws, either torx or maybe 7mm, something small. Remove them and you can them "pop" the panel off by pulling straight down.

 

[sfcwayno]

It is very difficult to pinpoint the sound, but seems to be in the vicinity of the audio system possibly. I bought the truck new and have not installed any aftermarket items. I thought about the possibility of a tracking device, but don't think it would be connected to power in the truck? I will try to work out how to get a link for folks to hear it. Thank you all for input.

 

[RamDiver]

It is very difficult to pinpoint the sound, but seems to be in the vicinity of the audio system possibly. I bought the truck new and have not installed any aftermarket items. I thought about the possibility of a tracking device, but don't think it would be connected to power in the truck? I will try to work out how to get a link for folks to hear it. Thank you all for input.

Some of the tracking devices will use the truck's battery, while others are self-powered.

Also, the dealership should be able to inform you if it's their SOP, like many dealers, to install a tracking device in all their vehicles.

.

 

[sfcwayno]

Contacted the dealership and asked if they installed a tracking device. Guy I talked to in the service department said he didn't think there was one installed, and had never heard about this mysterious chirp. Of course he didn't ask me for any information about my truck (my name, VIN, etc.). I have not had very good luck with the dealership after I bought my truck.

 

[Yardbird]

The device can be plugged into the OBD port with a connector that when plugged in, it has its own OBD port on it so you can't tell at first look its there.

Check your port and see of there is a cord running 90 deg off one side.

 

[Sherman Bird]

Years ago, I bought a car from someone.... got a good deal, drove it around the first day, and noticed one time a rhythmic computer chirp/chime.... very low volume. It repeated just enough to get my attention, and stopped before I could get a bearing on it's whereabouts.

Over the next couple of weeks, I did not hear it again..... until I was driving it at a different time from my normal pattern. And there it was! I was able to conclude that it was coming from the rear passenger area, but, before I could stop, get out, go into the rear seat area... it stopped.

This went on for about a month. Then, one pretty Saturday, I decided to clean up that car. Something about finding treasure under the back seat bottom cushion got a hold of me and I pulled the seat out.... and there looking right at me was one of those Casio watches... with the alarm set to go off the same time every evening!

Wouldn't it be a kick in the head if some electronical device found it's way inside the dash!?

PS: I found about a dollar in coins!

 

[sfcwayno]

I do not see anything that looks like that. See attached photo.

 

[sfcwayno]

Although, now looking at it, those wires coming off look suspicious. I will disconnect and see if that does anything.

 

[sfcwayno]

Disconnected, and it stopped. Listened for 5 minutes and did not hear it. I traced those wires back and they appear to go back into the harness cluster, so not sure exactly where they go. I will do some more investigating, and let you know what I find. Thank you all so much for your help.

 

[sfcwayno]

OK, that was it. Found a GPS tracker zip tied to the wiring harness. Company Passtime, says it was purchased in 2017 for consumer use and de-activated in 2021. They also said if it is beeping most likely going to be power interruption, although I don't believe that part.

 

[turkeybird56]

I wonder if someone installed a tracking device.

delete: did not read down far enuf

 

[SitKneelBend]

Although, now looking at it, those wires coming off look suspicious. I will disconnect and see if that does anything.

Yep, it's wired to the OBDII port.

 

[Stonecaster]

I have a 2022 Limited, at about 20K miles I noticed the chirp, chirp probably the same as you. I contorted myself under the dash with flashlights, wiggled and jiggled looking for a loose item to squeak. I then went under the hood, I took the clips off of the drivers side defrost intake grill and noticed there was play in the drivers side windshild wiper shaft, I sprayed some WD-40 on the shaft and with the spray tube tip, pushed it through the rubber sealing grommet, that did the trick for me. It still has play but there must be a collar or busing inthere tht dries out and without the lube, chirps with very little motion. It drove me nuts. It has returned a few more times but I just WD-40 it.

I am looking to trade in my Ram as I have 73000 on it, Rams are looking long in the tooth and their dealer networks all suck. After 2 years struggling with a niggling detail they couldn't fix or didn't care, they demonstated Stellantis does not want nor need my business.

 

[Bad Tiki]

I wonder if that was for someone’s insurance, you get a discount if they can monitor your driving?

Newer plans use your phone, wife has it, gets penalized when she’s a passenger in my truck .

 

[AKBear]

For the past month and a half I have had this chirp sound from the driver's side in the dash. It sounds similar to a cell phone dying. It occurs with the engine off, idling, and driving (all the time). It goes off every 2 minutes and 15 seconds to 2 and a half minutes. I have had diagnostics run and there are no codes. I disconnected the batteries and it stopped, but as soon as battery power was hooked up, it started again. I tried to upload a video file with the chirp, but it wouldn't allow the mp4 extension. Anyone have any ideas?

I have a 2018 RAM 2500 CD & I have found that when I here that "chirp" it is my SXM Radio doing an update.