Where is the piezo? No more chirping!

wwilme · 03-02-2006, 11:06 AM

My '97 4runner with factory alarm system and 230k miles has slowly stopped chirping when I lock or unlock the car with the remote. I found this to be a convenience to hear it audibly instead of actually having to watch the lights to make sure the vehicle is locked when I leave. Since it is now silent, there is no way to find it! My service manual is no help. When it started to die, it seemed worse when it was wet outside. Is this common? Could the piezo be clogged with dirt, or is it just dead. If so, can I buy an aftermarket one, or am I stuck with going to the stealership? Any help is appreciated!!!

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Jeffires · 03-02-2006, 11:09 AM

You can get an aftermarket one from Radio Shack for a few bucks, but I don't know how the factory buzzer wires up. I know you can wire the peizo to sound when the lights are left on, that's probably about all you need it for anyway.

wwilme · 03-02-2006, 11:19 AM

Thanks. I just want it to function as it was intended - to sound once when you lock and twice when you unlock the vehicle. The chirping came from somewhere under the hood when it worked.

The lights have a separate noise maker which sounds (from inside the vehicle) until you turn the lights off.

Starbuck3733T · 03-29-2007, 01:00 PM

the chirper is on the passenger side near the firewall. it says buzzer or chirper or something.

d0ubledown · 03-29-2007, 01:52 PM

mine was drivers side, midway down the fender rail, kinda under the fuse box. look for a round red thingy...wrapped in grey foam. i replaced mine with a radio shack $5 piezo chirper...much better now.

rbh261 · 06-19-2007, 08:38 PM

The '99 and up models do have the piezo on the passenger fender. Easy to find. The previous years are definitely hidden on the drivers fender.

03-02-2006, 11:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jeffires Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Posts: 682	You can get an aftermarket one from Radio Shack for a few bucks, but I don't know how the factory buzzer wires up. I know you can wire the peizo to sound when the lights are left on, that's probably about all you need it for anyway. __________________ -Jeff- '91 4WD P/U 3VZE A340H , 197K K&N air ] Optima ] Flex-a-Lite fan ] FloPro exhaust ] ISR Mod ] Warn M8000 ] Powertrax lockers ] Swaybar Discos ] KC Lighting ] Premier MP3 - Pioneer highs/mids - RF DVC 12/ RF 360a² ] Garmin GPSMap60C Photo Album MySpace La Nouvelle-Orléans 'da Ragin Cajun

03-29-2007, 01:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Starbuck3733T Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: State College, PA Posts: 165	the chirper is on the passenger side near the firewall. it says buzzer or chirper or something. __________________ Trust me, I'm an engineer. 2002 4Runner 5VZ-FE 61K Limited 4WD Now: Kenwood CD Head + Custom iPod interface, Pheonix Gold M50 amp + JL 12W0 sub, Mobile 1 synthetic, napa gold oversized filter (FIL1516), ISR mod, running boards = !buhleted! Sooner: Deckplate, bigger mudders: 32? 33? Later: 1.5" body lift, 2.5" suspension lift of some variety. (undecided) SigSauer P229 .40 S&W Equipped! RIP 1994 4Runner SR5 5spd MT, 31x10.50 Dunlop Mudders, 186K 3VZE blown engine.

03-29-2007, 01:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
d0ubledown Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: vansterdam BC. Posts: 1,432	mine was drivers side, midway down the fender rail, kinda under the fuse box. look for a round red thingy...wrapped in grey foam. i replaced mine with a radio shack $5 piezo chirper...much better now. __________________ sonny ------- 1998 4Runner LTD. Fabtech CO fronts, OME/Pro Comp rears, SS rear links, Revtek diff drop, oem elocker, ARB RD90, 4.88's, 315/75/16 MT/R's on FZJ-80's, Trail Gear sliders, ARB Prado Bar, 1.5" 4Crawler BL, Tundra Brakes, wabfab disco's, IPF's...satoshi'd deckplated & ISR'd. SOLD!!! new ride: 1997 FZJ80. ome/arb/bfg/etc. when clinton lied..nobody died

06-19-2007, 08:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
rbh261 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Martinsville, VA Posts: 149	The '99 and up models do have the piezo on the passenger fender. Easy to find. The previous years are definitely hidden on the drivers fender. __________________ '98 4-Runner SR5 V6 Automatic Intake elbow removed, Sony head unit, Sony Class-D amp, Sony 10" sub enclosure and F&R components Brad Hall Service Advisor Nelson Automotive Group 201 Commonwealth Blvd. Martinsville, VA 24112 276-638-2331 www.autosbynelson.com

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03-02-2006, 11:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
wwilme Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 29	Thanks. I just want it to function as it was intended - to sound once when you lock and twice when you unlock the vehicle. The chirping came from somewhere under the hood when it worked. The lights have a separate noise maker which sounds (from inside the vehicle) until you turn the lights off.

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