I have a 2008 customized Avalanche. Lately, the door chime is sounding even when the key is out of the ignition then the doors lock and the alarm system sets itself. I am also getting a reading "Suspension System needs Maintenance" At which there is nothing wrong with the suspension. I just had new shocks put on in July 2012, less than a year ago. What is going on??? Is my computer system crashing?

I would contact the locksmith that did the work and explain the issue you are having. Chances are the contactor is bent and needs straightened.

Theft Deterrent Arm/Disarm Modes
Important: Although mode 2 provides increased security, the content theft deterrent system disarms only by pressing unlock on the keyless entry transmitter. This can pose a problem if the keyless entry transmitter is damaged, lost, or inoperative for any reason while you attempt to disarm the content theft deterrent system.
Mode 1: The system arms when you lock the doors with the keyless entry transmitter. The system disarms when you unlock the left front, right front, or liftgate door with the key or the keyless entry transmitter. The system does not arm when you lock the doors with a power door lock switch.

Mode 2: The system arms when you lock the doors with the keyless entry transmitter. The system disarms when you unlock the doors with the keyless entry transmitter. The system does not disarm when you unlock the doors with the key.

Mode 3: The system arms when you lock the doors using a power door lock switch or the keyless entry transmitter. The system disarms when you unlock the left front, right front, or liftgate door with the key or the keyless entry transmitter.
Changing the Feature Customization Modes

1. Turn off the IP dimmer switch.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
3. Remove the BCM PRGRM fuse.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC position. The BCM flashes the fasten belts indicator and sounds the chime 4 times, which indicates that BCM type 4 is installed on the vehicle. At this point, the BCM has entered the feature customization mode.
5. In order to change the theft deterrent/shock sensor mode, turn the headlamp switch from OFF to PARK and back to OFF.
The BCM flashes the fasten belts indicator and sounds the chime a number of times equivalent to the theft deterrent/shock sensor mode. A transition past mode 4 repeats the sequence starting with mode 1.

6. Complete the following steps in order to change the theft deterrent arm/disarm mode:

6.1.
Insert the key in the left front, right front, or liftgate door lock cylinder.

6.2.
Rotate the key from the center to the unlock position.

6.3.
Press the horn button on the remote keyless entry transmitter.

6.4.
Count the number of chimes that you hear. The number of chimes tells you which mode you have set.

6.5.
Press the horn button again in order to change the mode. Continue to press the button until you hear the number of chimes that indicates the mode that you want.

6.6.
Turn the key back to the center position and remove the key from the door key cylinder.

In order to exit and save the current feature customization modes use the following procedure:

1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
2. Reinstall the BCM PRGRM fuse.

If you are unable to change locking modes Theft Deterrent System Feature Customization Inoperative

Sounds like the security system is armed. It is designed to disable the starter. If you don't have a key fob for the alarm, try locking and un-locking the driver's door with the key to disarm. If that doesn't work, look for a very small black button or toggle switch that will either be taped to wiring under the driver's side or the dash, or mounted to the very bottom of the dash above the driver's legs.

Go sit in your truck and close all the doors. Light stays on right? Put your key in the ignition. Does the chime start going off when you put the key in? If so, door switch or the GEM thinks a door is open.

To find out which door... Leave the key in the ingntion. Turn to the on position. Even with doors closed, chime sounds once after a few seconds and door ajar light comes on and stays on right? Open each door one by one. The chime should sound each time you open a door. When you find the door that doesn't make the chime sound when you open it, that is the problem. (Don't forget to try the rear hatch and the hatch glass also!) To determine if the switch is bad or if the GEM is having a problem thinking the door is open, just unplug the suspected switch, close all the doors, and see if the problem stops. (don't forget to wait a second to give the lights time to go off) If unplugging the switch solves it, the replace it. If it doesn't, Ford can check your GEM to see if it is the problem.

I hope this helps

It could be the power lock motor. You could have a short or bad wiring harness. Might just be a fuse that connects to both. But since you said it's only the driver side. When the power lock motor is bad it can trigger your alarm because they're wired together.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

This alarm was placed in the vehicle for the purpose of not leaving your keys in the ignition while getting out and locking the door.
If in fact you wish to disable this safety function (and possibly one day lock your keys in the vehicle) Look under the dash, drivers side, while the chime is activated. You should be able to locate where the beeping sound is coming from and unplug the chime.

The Body Control Module (BCM) controls the audible warnings. Refer to Body Control System Description in Body Control System for more information regarding the BCM.
The body control module (BCM) controls these reminders:
• Key in ignition reminder: An audible warning intended to remind the driver that the key has been left in the ignition cylinder. The BCM sounds the chime for this reminder at a rate of 150 chimes per minute.
• Fasten seat belt reminder: An audible warning intended to remind the driver at the beginning of the driving cycle that the driver's seat belt is unfastened. The BCM sounds the chime for this reminder at a rate of 50 chimes per minute.
• Fasten belts indicator control: A visual warning intended to remind the driver that the driver's seat belt is unfastened.
• Parking brake reminder: An audible warning intended to remind the driver that the parking brake has been left applied with the transaxle shifted out of PARK. The BCM sounds the chime for his reminder at a rate of 200 chimes per minute.
• Turn signal reminder:
An audible warning intended to remind the driver that the turn signal has been left on while the vehicle has traveled over 1.2 km (¾ mile). The BCM sounds the chime for this reminder at a variable rate (in unison with the turn lamps on) of 90 chimes per minute.
• Headlamps ON reminder: An audible waring intended to remind the driver that the headlamps have been left on. The BCM sounds the chime for this reminder at a rate of 200 chimes per minute.
• Last door closed locking confirmation: An audible warning intended to provide the driver feedback that the last door closed locking feature is active. The BCM sounds the chime for this remainder at a rate of 200 chimes per minute.
• Feature customization and diagnostics feedback: An audible feedback used when changing feature customization modes. Also used by service technicians during the BCM diagnostics. The BCM sounds the chime during the feature customization, and also during diagnostics. Refer to Body Control Module (BCM) for additional information.

Step
Action
Value(s)
Yes
No
1
Was the BCM diagnostic system check performed?
--
YES - Go to Step 2
NO - Go to Diagnostic System Check - Body Control System in Body Control System
2
Check for Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). Refer to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check (LX5) or Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check (L36) in Engine Controls for more information.
Are there any PCM DTCs present?
--
Go to Appropriate DTC Table in Engine Controls
Go to Step 3
3
Connect a scan tool to the Data Link Connector (DLC).
Using scan tool, select BCM data display inputs and monitor the park brake switch input.
While observing the scan tool, apply and then release the park brake.
Does the scan tool indicate that the park brake input is off while the park brake is released?
--
Go to Step 7
Go to Step 4
4
Turn the ignition switch off.
Disconnect the scan tool from the DLC.
Disconnect the BCM connector C1.
Release the park brake.
Using a test light, connect between B+ and the BCM connector C1 terminal D5.
Is the test light off?
--
Go to Step 7
Go to Step 5

Your best bet ,take it to a qualified repair shop

Perhaps your battery is in need of replacing, in the Handheld Ponder?

The key switch usually breaks or wears out and makes contact. It is on the lock cylinder. This would cause the chime to not come on, or stay on. Sounds like the switch is bad.

1997 F-150/250 Warning Chime, Key-In-Ignition The key-in-ignition chime warns that the key is still in the ignition when the driver's door is ajar. The key-in-ignition warning chime will sound when:

• GEM: Driver door is ajar, the ignition switch is in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the keys are in the ignition.
• CTM: Driver door is ajar, the ignition switch is in the OFF/LOCK, ACC or RUN position and the keys are in the ignition.

The key-in-ignition warning chime will stop sounding when:

• Driver door is closed.
• Key is removed from the ignition.
• GEM: Ignition switch is switched to the RUN position.

The key-in-ignition warning chime inputs are:

• Ignition switch RUN position (battery potential on both RUN and RUN/ACC inputs).
• Ignition switch ACC position (battery potential on RUN/ACC input only).
• Key-in-ignition switch (grounded with key-in-ignition, open circuit with key-out).
• LH door ajar switch (open circuit with door closed, grounded with door ajar).

This is a pic for a 98, could not find one for 97 which may be the older style which is more prone to break.

SYSTEM OPERATION

System warning lamp located on top of the instrument panel
Press UNLOCK button once , turns on interior lamps and deactivates alarm (if fitted)
Press UNLOCK button twice w/in 5 seconds unlocks all doors, turns on interior lamp and deactivates alarm (if fitted)
To activate alarm system (if fitted):
Switch ignition OFF
Open driver's door
Press Lock button on remote
Close Driver door
warning lamp will flash when system is activated
Press remote power sliding door button will open sliding door (if fitted) only if unlocked first
Pressing remote panic button:
*Sounds horn intermittently
*Flashes exterior lamps
*Turns on interior lamps
**Pressing panic for the second time OR switching ignition ON deactivates alarm.


PROGRAMMING
Remobe key from ignition switch
Remove the "BCM PRGRM" fuse, from the fuse box
Close all doors
Turn ignition switch to the ACC position
With in 1 SECOND , turn the ignition switch to OFF then back to 'ACC'
(really, with in one second)
Open and close the driver's door. A chime will sound, indicating programming mode activated
Press and HOLD LOCK and UNLOCK SIMULTANEOUSLY untill a chime sounds 2 times ( about 15 seconds)
Repeat this exact procedure for all remotes to be programmed
Remove key from ignition
Refit 'BCM PRGRM' fuse.

4 REMOTES MAXIMUM CAN BE PROGRAMMED