Feature. It's the reminder for old people to turn off their signal. Surprises people on the forum every few years.

 

The more fun one is the speed chime kicking in during a high speed pass.

Speed Chime "removal" - Saudi-style...

This is to help out the next guy who comes along and needs to kill that really really annoying 120 kmph & above "speed chime" that happens when you go above this speed. This annoyance is mandated by law to all GCC vehicles (Gulf Countries Cooperation), including Dubai, The Emirates etc. I'm here...

www.impalassforum.com

 

My dad had a caprice overseas in the late 90s in Dubai. At the time I was small but my brothers recall crying when my dad was speeding with the chime going off.

 

And a lifelong neurosis was born.

 

My 1999 Silverado has that feature as well. Only heard it once ever

 

The exact car in question, sadly only one picture.. The one thing I do remember vividly as a 4 year old was the door flood lights, always liked it on these cars compared to others.

When I bought the impala 20 years later, dad was like why would you buy this old car.... 😂

 

Backstory: the wiring diagrams show the VSS (Vehicle Speed Signal) going to the chime module on all B/D-Body cars. Many normal cars (ie: non-9C1) got a chime module tied to the turn signal, where it counts the pulses from VSS, and if you drive too far with the signal on, it dings. SEO cars (ie: 9C1) have a different chime module without this feature but the wiring is there.

Since this all happens in the chime module itself, swapping chime modules will allow you to add or delete the feature on most B/D-Bodies, AFAIK.

Side note, if you are doing a mod (ie: adding cruise control, data logging, custom trans module, or some other thing that needs a VSS signal), the chime module plug is a convenient place to get it. That's exactly what I used when adding cruise control to one of my 9C1s.

 

I recall seeing that feature in the 91's owner manual. But recall it had like an unusually long time before it tripped. Something like 3 miles if memory serves. Other than on an Interstate... be hard to that far without using the blinkers.