[allenga]

Ahh. Installed new door switch. No change. Key buzzer on all the time. Makes sense. The black wire was laying in the kick panel not touching metal and the key buzzer was on.

Will trace black wire..

[allenga]

Defeat. I cannot figure out where the key buzzer is grounding and this is an unmolested car. So, my key buzzer reminds me my key is in ignition as soon as I shut off the car, with doors closed.

[Aus78Formula]

does it buzz constantly if you jiggle the keys around and make the barrel move? If all the basics work then it could be a worn key barrel somewhere inside, it only has to touch somewhere it isn't meant to.

[allenga]

The ignition function works perfectly. No giggling required. Problem. Key in ignition, doors closed, buzzer on. When I pull key out, buzzer off. Buzzer should not be on when door is closed.

[allenga]

Thanks for helping. Here is a video. Does this with different lock cylinders.

https://youtu.be/4XZTML2iaNg

[OG68]

A few different areas to look for your grounded black wire. Primarily I'd look inside the column especially if its a tilt. Secondly around the column plug. And it wouldn't surprise me if a previous owner had mistakenly cut the black wire and grounded it to the dash frame.
You may want to physically trace the wire back from the kick panel to the column plug. If its all good then I'm betting its grounded inside the column.
I know, a lot of work for something most people disconnect anyway. I resisted replacing the key switch for the buzzer on my El Camino until I locked the car with the keys in the ignition. Not once, but three times. Kinda get spoiled by the newer cars that won't let you lock the doors with the key in the ignition.

[allenga]

Originally Posted by OG68

A few different areas to look for your grounded black wire. Primarily I'd look inside the column especially if its a tilt. Secondly around the column plug. And it wouldn't surprise me if a previous owner had mistakenly cut the black wire and grounded it to the dash frame.
You may want to physically trace the wire back from the kick panel to the column plug. If its all good then I'm betting its grounded inside the column.
I know, a lot of work for something most people disconnect anyway. I resisted replacing the key switch for the buzzer on my El Camino until I locked the car with the keys in the ignition. Not once, but three times. Kinda get spoiled by the newer cars that won't let you lock the doors with the key in the ignition.

Thank you. I hope I can find the black wire without taking the drivers kick panel off. I think there is a plug in the harness for the drivers door jam switch but I have not been able to find it yet.

[allenga]

Visually, I traced black wire from door jam switch, to the under dash connector that attaches to the wiring harness, which then is all sealed up with electrical tape from factory. It has not be touched.

[allenga]

I am horrible at wiring diagrams, but I believe this is the black wire that provides ground to the key buzzer. The left side goes up to the key buzzer micro switch, the right side goes to the door jam switch.

I think I should remove the male or female side of the wire from this connector so I can test. Is this easily doable.

Thanks

[OG68]

Yes it is. Inside the plug each wire terminal has a tab or a catch of some sort. You need to depress the tab with a small screwdriver (tweaker) and pull back on the wire . Remove the wire from the plug assembly and if it still buzzes your ground is inside the column.
What you may want to do is give a little tug on the wire feeding up into the column. If its grounded that may move it around enough to clear the ground. Not a fix however.

[OG68]

You want to push in the wire, depress the side of the terminal and then pull back the wire. It takes a few tries to get it right

[allenga]

Thanks Guys. Would it be easier to take the male side wire out of connector vs the female side.

[Aus78Formula]

Take the side out that you think is the problem side. Wiggle it around and retest.

[allenga]

Originally Posted by OG68

You want to push in the wire, depress the side of the terminal and then pull back the wire. It takes a few tries to get it right

Ed, so far lots of cursing. No luck getting the wire out of the harness yet.

[Aus78Formula]

Have you looked at a pic to know they are that type or what you need to do? It's simple once you know for sure. Sometimes a tiny flat screwdriver helps, other times a paper clip with the end bend out straight to a wire point.

Those large combination harmonicas can't be as much fun as the smaller plugs. I have a used dash harness, I'll dig it out and have a look.

[allenga]

I am ready to buy a tool for this job.

[Aus78Formula]

I dragged my dash harness out, but then realised you needed the steering column harness instead. Don't forget to trace from the buzzer itself back to the plug. The holes in the plug housing are just large enough to get a test light in.

[allenga]

Originally Posted by Aus78Formula

I dragged my dash harness out, but then realised you needed the steering column harness instead. Don't forget to trace from the buzzer itself back to the plug. The holes in the plug housing are just large enough to get a test light in.

Thank you. I did this test and the buzzer buzzed.

[allenga]

So, I could not get the black wire out of the harness that grounds the buzzer via the door jam switch, so I clipped it, just to test. I hated to do it.

Buzzer is still grounding out, so its in side the column. I probably should just replace the whole switch mechanism.

[allenga]

Ok, fixed. Hope someone can learn from my pain. The key buzzer switch tangs were adjusted in such a way that one of them was touching the inside of the steering column. So, it was aways grounding the circuit.