Under dash chirp

b and j · 06-25-2009, 06:51 AM

Just got back from 10 days in Moab. Had a great time, but at night camping I heard a small chirp from the driver side dash. It didn't matter if I was on hooked to 110 power or not. It would "chirp" every 30 or 40 seconds. This would last for a while then stop. I heard it many nights. (It might have done it every night and just didn't wake me up) Any thoughts?
B & J

saline · 06-25-2009, 08:16 AM

Are you sure it wasn't a low battery alarm on your smoke alarm? I know it's not under the dash but thats the only thing I can think of.

b and j · 06-25-2009, 11:06 AM

Maybe, I didn't know it takes a battery. I got down real close to the dash and it sure sounded like it was coming from under the dash. The van battery was not low on charge.
Thanks for the tip I'll check the smoke alarm.
B & J

**daveb** · 06-25-2009, 11:51 AM

Those things are like a Ventriloquist and the chirp can really sound like its coming from other areas of the van or even outside.

geoffff · 06-25-2009, 03:11 PM

Check your CO (carbon monoxide) alarm too -- I'm pretty sure mine started chirping when it was time to replace it.

-- Geoff

jage · 06-25-2009, 06:51 PM

The CO alarm up on the wall chirps when the voltage is low. Something else might be doing that- if you hear it again slap a cheapo voltmeter in the dash cigarette lighter... your starter batts might be down and the house masking the problem when you start it.

b and j · 06-26-2009, 07:11 AM

It's not the CO, I pulled the fuse and could hear it. I'll check the volts next.
Is there a low volt alarm for the van battery?
thanks for the advice.
B & J

**daveb** · 06-26-2009, 09:59 PM

My smoke detector has no wiring, only a 9V battery. To access the unit you can twist off the cover to expose the battery. The CO detector is another story.

Greggd · 06-27-2009, 01:10 PM

I encountered the very same problem last month and began by checking my voltage and then crawling around inside the Van trying to pin point the location , I finally pulled my ScanGuage and it went away . The next morning I contacted customer service at ScanGuage and they said no problem , just send it in and they would fix or replace free of charge . I packaged the unit up and on the way to the Post Office I heard the chirp again so upon arriving at the post Office I sat with the packaged ScanGuage on my my left shoulder to see if it would chirp again
even though it was disconnected thinking that maybe their was some type of unmentioned battery in the unit . Low and behold I heard the chirp again behind me and checked the Smoke Alarm , pulled the battery and replaced with a spare new battery and decided to return home with the ScanGuage , the chirp was and continues to be gone ! That just goes to show you , that you can't believe everything that you hear .
Greggde

b and j · 06-29-2009, 09:23 AM

I'll check the smoke alarm. Can this fix really be that easy?
Thanks again,
B & J