Car won't start, until dingind stops? Huh?

This has been happening for a year. In the cold or wet mostly.
Turn the key, and all I get is a rapid dinging, coming from around the right side of the dash. Security light does come on. I found if I hold the key in the start position LONG ENOUGH, the dinging slowly stops and instantly the car turns over and starts fine. :confused:

Today, I thought I noticed that there was a clicking or something coming from that same area and the air bag light was blinking. This time however, the dinging stopped, and there was no startup, no nothing... until I banged on the right-side airbag. Then the dinging started again, and after it slowed and stopped, the car instantly started.

weird. Please help.

You mean like the dinging when your lights are left on, or like when you try to press the lock button with your key still in the ignition? Most likely you have a short in your body harness.

I'm not certain about the differences between the two beepings you mention. I believe it is faster than the "you left your lights on" beep. But the dinging associated with pressing the lock button (you mean on the steering column?) I haven't heard. BTW this is a 96 Camaro.

I estimate the beeping is about 5 dings per second. Maybe even faster. And the glove box light seems to kind of "flash" or dim in rhythm with the dinging. I could make a recording of it and post a link if it's important to figure it out.

A short in my body harness? That is possible. When I bought the car the radio had been stolen and it looked like some yanking had occurred. Also, my new radio has a pretty loud hiss/ring I can't get rid of:(, and for the first time this morning, the radio seemed to be turning off and on also. I've had the console out to check connections in there, where else should I look?

Thanks!
Pete

The only other thing I can think of would be the BCM (Body Control Module). It's under your glove box:

http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/alarm27.JPG

Make sure all the connectors are seated on it, and check for any cut or smashed wires. But you might have to take it to the dealer, they are the ones who can really assess your problem correctly. The BCM is the only thing on the car that controls everything wierd happening to you, including the air bag, audible alarms (the dinging), the security light, and starting. So I would start there. Good luck.

Thanks,

I'll check it out. Wish it would throw a code so I could test my OBDII reader I got for Christmas!:eek:

I hate to ask, but how much is a BCM to replace? :cry: Any aftermarket ones yet?

Pete