Horns, Reverse, Doors and Dodge ... HELP!

[sew2bhappy]

We have a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT diesel truck. Great truck and we like most things about it. BUT!!! If the driver's door is open at all and you put it in reverse the horn starts going off in a steady beep, beep, beep pattern (kind of like a car alarm)! Ron is in the habit of opening the door and looking back along the side of the truck when he is backing into tight or tricky spots. Wakes everyone one up for sure!!!

Does anyone know how to shut this off? I have been through the owners manual and cannot find even a mention of this "feature", let alone any instructions.

Thanks!!!

[teran8tor]

I have a 2003 dodge also. Some time back there was a recall to install the back up alarm (horn) when the door was open and the truck was in gear. Seems as tho too many people opened the door without putting the truck all the way into park, fell out and were run over or nearly run over. It was added to the computer electronics in the truck. I am not sure how to get it out of there. I just roll the window down. That horn beep thing is a pain in the rear. Good Luck.

[sew2bhappy]

Wellllllllll.........pookie-doo! Guess we'll live with it for now. I presume the newer models don't have this "safety feature" so guess that's one more reason to get a newer truck!

[snoking]

I have seen that posted on the TDR SITE, it was part of a reflash as noted. Did you Google it? Chris

[sew2bhappy]

With the rather slow wifi here, googling is an exercise in frustration! I have even resorted to calling one of my sons to do research for me!

[snoking]

I looked around and do NOT think you can stop it. Feature was flashed into computer. Smarty programmer will stop it when it loads one of its programs. Chriz

[bfast54]

I looked around and do NOT think you can stop it. Feature was flashed into computer. Smarty programmer will stop it when it loads one of its programs. Chriz

Chris.........Oh, there is a way to stop it.

Ron, Millie....Heres what I would do.


Get a relay, and a RED lighted switch, Hook the switch up ....Thru the relay, so that when the switch is on...IE Lighted , the horn is OFF. You will have to hook into the horn wires (most easy at the horns themselfs).....usually.

The red switch, will remind you when the HORNS are OFF .by being lighted, that way , you will remember to turn the switch OFF, horns on, before hitting the road.

The computer Should think...the horns are on. ...if not, you may have to place a 12 volt load, say a small buzzer under the hood?? ...to replace the Horns, which are "missing"

Let me know if you need a explanation of the wiring. ..(and other tech people, do you think this will work)?????? ...It should .

[BMullins46]

I'm not tech enough to critique the fix, but, will say that my '06 model Dodge also honks the horn if the door is opened with the vehicle in reverse.
Bill

[Don Wilson]

My 06 Dodge does the same thing and I found an easy fix to the problem Lower the window and look out the window rather than open the door!

Don

[sew2bhappy]

Fix sounds doable, but not sure if it's something we should do. Guess it's something we'll just have to deal with until we get a newer truck....and hope it don't do that! Thanks for all the feedback!

[dfredendall]

Wow. Another way to legislate safety for people who did silly things, like falling out of their vehicle. Cannot remember the last time I fell out of my vehicle. Hmmmm. Nope, can't remember when. A guy can't hurt himself if he wants to anymore. The only sure way I know to get hurt is to say "No" to my wife. LOL