What on earth is this sound? (YouTube Clip, Help!)

[jaydog2121]

Fellow Toyoters:

I am confused as to what this dinging noise is. It has happened since I got my Corolla 2009 S brand new. Here are a couple of facts.

• Seat belts are on (also, the seat belt warning is a little different)
• Emergency brake is not engaged
• Everything has been checked out (e.g. Tire pressure, Oil etc)
• No dash lights when sound comes on
• Sound is intermittent but usually happens around 60-65 MPH. I don't remember it kicking on at lower speeds
• The sound comes on weather the gas gage shows full OR almost empty

My car is currently at the dealers. They said it's not doing it for them. Of course! I am going on a long trip and don't want to hear that dinging all the way there. They said they even called some people at Toyota and they are confused too. I have a YouTube clip of it (I also passed this on to the dealer).

Any ideas? Thanks.
Clip:

You Tube

You Tube

On a side note, would a 1989 Toyota Pickup be eligible for the "cash for clunkers" program? I went to the website but don't fully understand it. Thanks again.

[trucknut1]

after over a year of ownership and 25,000+km i have never heard that sound.... any beeps are usually a higher pitch and shorter in duration...

PS: Don't let them kill the '89 Toy P/U! Sometimes a vehicle is worth paying a little extra at the pump for!

[sinnaever]

Gas Tank Empty?
I know you said it happens full or near empty... but in the video your needle is near Empty

[pinoyesv6]

i was waiting for the captain to tell everyone that they are in a patch of turbulence and that everyone should return to their seat...

but yea, it might be because u were low on gas? did you show the dealership the video?

[jaydog2121]

No, it's not the gas. I wish I would have recorded that clip when the gas tank was full. The first guess the dealership made was low gas. I promise that it makes the sound when the tank is full!

I searched the net high and low and couldn't find any information on it.

All in all I love the Corolla except the ding-ding-ding and the seats don't breathe. It remembers me of a polyester shirt. I don't know if it's the coatings the dealership added (I was suckered into that).


The '89 pickup has been a good truck. I think it's at that age when things are starting to break down though. So I thought about the "cash for clunkers" thing. I thought about the Yaris (it's pretty cheap) but it doesn't seem to get a good insurance rating.

Toyota is the only thing I will buy.....

[pwain]

anything aftermarket that might be a piece of the puzzle?

Like a Boeing intercom system or the like?

[trucknut1]

Originally Posted by jaydog2121

No, it's not the gas. I wish I would have recorded that clip when the gas tank was full. The first guess the dealership made was low gas. I promise that it makes the sound when the tank is full!

I searched the net high and low and couldn't find any information on it.

The '89 pickup has been a good truck. I think it's at that age when things are starting to break down though.

i have run my XRS for over a 1/2 hour with the trip computer showing a range of zero (gas light had been on for awhile) and never heard a beep only the light.

if we lived closer and the 89's frame was solid i would buy your truck in a heartbeat! the old Toy's are bulletproof! i would drop the xrs cold for an old but solid Toyota FJ40 or P/U! But I don't mind working on vehicles, I can fix anything...

[jaydog2121]

Nothing aftermarket.

Yeah, it reminds me of the sound you hear on an airplane.
Bing-Bong..."The captain has turned of the seat belt sign, you are free to move about the cabin...Although, we encourage you to wear seat belt in case there is some unexpected turbulence."

Yeah, the '89 pickup would be good to someone that knows how to perform repairs. I really have no knowledge of how to fix vehicles. If something is wrong with the vehicle, sure I will walk around the car and prop up the hood. I will look around (not sure what I am looking for) and then scratch my head and then drive to my local mechanic.

[aznpizzaboy]

i had a banging sound because the seat belt chip on my passenger side was hitting against the edge but i dont think its the same as your problem. should show the dealer this video

[jaydog2121]

Yeah, I sent the dealer the youtube clip and they are still confused. We will see. If I find out what it is I will update.

[jaydog2121]

I got my car back from the dealer. They still don't know what the noise was. They contacted the engineers in California and they didn't know what the noise was after reviewing the YouTube clip. They said they couldn't replicate it after driving it for 100 miles. They said they reset something and did something with the seat belts. I noticed when I use the car, the seat belt warning sound doesn't work anymore.

So far, I haven't noticed the sound. I am going on a long trip so I should be able to find out if it's gone for good.

[sinnaever]

make sure you check the cabin pressure, and assure your trays and seats are in the upright position and you remain seating until your reach cruising speed...

I just flew on a plane this weekend and it is THE EXACT sound from one of the Air Canada airbuses... haha... i laughed when the seatbelt light went on & off.

[Bitter]

take the tech on a test drive with his scanned hooked up and reading body module data, he should be able to see whats activating the chime.

[cabur]

Buckle the front passenger seatbelt to see if the noise is eliminated. I suspect the seat sensor is too sensitive and is trying to remind you to bucke-up. I know the indicator light should show too but if dealer cannot find the cause, no harm in trying.

[jkg065]

It may be a short in whatever is connected to the chime. If it is part of the reminder system the dealer should R & R it for a new replacement instead of disconnecting it. GOOD LUCK!