Thanks for your patience.

Again we are trying to determine what portion of the key detection system is malfunctioning to keep the key reminder on and wireless system disabled.
Because this system is nearly entirely located in the column, the column covers need to be removed by taking the philips screws out then popping the top and bottom halves apart, exposing the column.

With the column exposed, the first thing we need to do is make sure the ignition cylinder lever is not sticking. This is the lever on the cylinder that pushes out when a key is installed and touches the key detection switch in the lock housing.
Insert the key into the cylinder and turn it to On, then use a pick to depress the release button about two inches back on the lock housing while pulling on the key. The ignition cylinder will slide out and you will see the detection lever (similar picture shown below):


If you pull the ignition cylinder out and the noise silences, it is about a 95% chance the cylinder is at fault. Lubricating the lever may take care of it and is much cheaper than replacing the cylinder (due to the key programming).
The 5% chance is if the detection button that the lever touches was sticking and removal happened to free it.... not too likely though.

If the removal of the cylinder does NOT silence the reminder, then we need to go deeper. Look into the lock housing and identify the button that the lever touches. Use a pick to work it in and out several times and see if the reminder stops. If it does, the reminder switch on the lock housing is faulty and you will need to replace the lock housing.

If you are unable to determine if the lock housing detection switch is sticking, we will want to isolate the switch from the system. Locate the electrical connector for the detection switch just back from the housing, it will look like this:

Unplug this connector (do NOT unplug any other connectors!). The reminder will continue to go off.
Take a paper clip or short jumper wire and short pin 4 (Black wire) to pin 6 (Red with Blue stripe wire) together. If the reminder chime stops, your detection switch in the lock housing is bad and again the lock housing will need to be replaced.
If the reminder chime continues to sound, you will have a broken circuit for the key detection switch, either via broken wire or internal issue to the ETACS computer.

For what it is worth, the ignition cylinders are common to have the lever stick, though normally running the key in and out hard several times usually takes care of it.



Now if you find the cylinder is an issue, again you can usually lubricate it and be fine. If you opt to replace it, you can either get a bare cylinder and have a lock smith re-key it to match your old keys, or you can get an already assembled cylinder with new keys.... the problem here is that you will need to have the keys programmed, and you will have to replace/re-key the doors to match... a real pain going that route and very expensive.

If you find that the lock housing is at fault, it will take quite a bit of disassembly. The battery will need to be disconnected and the airbag removed, steering wheel and clock spring removed, and all combination switch parts removed.
With the lock housing now exposed, it will be a bit confusing as to how to remove it. Looking at the aluminum arch that goes over the top of the column you will see two broken off bolts. These are what hold the housing on, they are snap bolts (for security reasons) that break off the head on installation. You will need to use a die grinder to cut flat slots in the heads so a screw driver can be used to unscrew the bolts. The new lock housing will come with new snap bolts.


If you have any questions at all just let me know. I would be happy to elaborate if needed.
IF you feel the need to use one of the lower two negative ratings, please contact me first via the Reply/Continue Conversation link so that I may address your concerns.