Fitting a headlight warning buzzer to a Disco 1

[martinozcmax]

Hi,

Fitted the warning buzzer. I mentioned on a previous post how I had flattened a battery inadvertently leaving the headlights on. Someone asked me to post how fitting a warning buzzer went.

Ordered piezo electric 12v buzzers from eBay. Got 6 for around $6. Just as well as the first one I fitted was duff, sods law ! :(

Removed the panel covering up the fuses on my 94 Disco series 1. Sits below the steering wheel on the forward bulkhead.

Removed the plastic housing covering the indicator and light stalks.

Put a multimeter on the light switch and isolated the 12v positive voltage when the lights are turned on. Soldered a wire from one half of the buzzer to that. Traced the wire that is earthed when the doors open (it's a black and purple colour). Soldered the other lead to the buzzer to that.

Then I araldited the little buzzer to the steering wheel plastic cover housing, found a nice little hole that took the wires through and just fitted the buzzer on the left side of the cover. Not sure if it's standard or was a remnant of work done by someone else.

Now lights on and door opens gives a good strong warning buzzer.

Issues - any door opening gives the buzzer warning. Not really a problem for me as the kids have grown up and I'm normally the only one (apart from swmbo) in the Disco. I'm sure you could fit a diode to work on just the drivers door.

Not fused so I suppose that could be an issue if the buzzer shorted out, I figured it wouldn't be a huge risk.

Otherwise very happy with it. Minor thing but quite annoying when you do leave the headlights on. :D

Anyone who is thinking of doing it and needs a buzzer PM me as I have 3-4 spares going free to a good home.


Regards


Martin

[Pedro_The_Swift]

sounds like a well thought out Project Martin,,,:cool:

a few PICS and it would go well in the Projects and Tutorials Forum----:angel::whistling::BigThumb:

[Utemad]

The Disco1 update has a beeper when you leave the lights on and open the door. No idea if you could swap it over but the sound comes from behind the instrument panel somewhere.

[martinozcmax]

No worries, I'll take some shots and upload them.

[SPROVER]

Great post.I am wanting to do the same thing to mine on my 93 Disco.It sure beats getting a flat battery!

[martinozcmax]

Send me your address details privately and I'll post you out a buzzer.

[SPROVER]

PM sent:)

[waynep]

The Disco1 update has a beeper when you leave the lights on and open the door. No idea if you could swap it over but the sound comes from behind the instrument panel somewhere.

I believe that warning would be provided by the Multi Function Unit, which controls several things including interior light timing, key in alert etc.
Probably a fairly big project to fit one to a non update model.

[martinozcmax]

Good point. One of the reasons I ditched the Ford Escape and went back to a Disco was the key in warning buzzer. Gave me the irrits every time. Did someone mention something about grumpy old men !! :D:D

[seqfisho]

The Disco1 update has a beeper when you leave the lights on and open the door. No idea if you could swap it over but the sound comes from behind the instrument panel somewhere.

And very BLO*%# annoying it is as well, dont mind the headlight alarm but the door one with the key in the ignition:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::m ad::mad::mad:

[Utemad]

And very BLO*%# annoying it is as well, dont mind the headlight alarm but the door one with the key in the ignition:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::m ad::mad::mad:

My 94 update V8 doesn't have a key reminder. Just a headlight one. That must have come in later. I notice yours is a 99 D1.

[Bushwanderer]

And very BLO*%# annoying it is as well, dont mind the headlight alarm but the door one with the key in the ignition:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::m ad::mad::mad:
Isn't that the point of the alarm? :)

[Utemad]

Not if you want to listen to the radio with the door open.

[bee utey]

Not if you want to listen to the radio with the door open.
I think I've nailed it! Every time I work on a D1 with the key-in beeper, I undo the earth screw on the door light switch for the driver's door. The key warning only operates with this door.

So, how to make a complete modification? I traced the wire (green/purple trace) from the door switch, it has its own little black sleeve and loops right under the RH corner of the dash. So theoretically it should be easy to fit a long handled toggle switch into the dash side, so that when the door shuts it turns the interior light switch back on, re-arms the beeper etc. When you open the door you just need to flick the toggle forwards, and NO BEEPER!!!:D:D:D

BTW the wire on this switch was just about to fracture off so it got a new crimp fitted.:)

[Jojo]

You take all pains to fit a beeper, I cannot wait until the day I finally discover where that ****** piezo is hidden to remove it. The first one who picks it up at my door may keep it.

Cheers

[robzilla]

The Disco1 update has a beeper when you leave the lights on and open the door. No idea if you could swap it over but the sound comes from behind the instrument panel somewhere.
it's saved my battery a few times already :D

what's the key-in beeper? :confused:
EDIT: don't worry, UTEMAD gave the answer. 94 update so i don't have the key-in beeper. thank god, i have the key in, door open everytime i drive it!