The Silverado is Chevy’s best-selling vehicle.
Like any other vehicle, it uses beeps, chimes and noises to alert the driver’s attention.
If you’re unsure why your Silverado keeps beeping, this guide is here to help.
Table of Contents
Chevy Silverado 3 Beeps
The most common cause of unknown beeps coming from a Chevy Silverado is the Remote Left in Vehicle Alert and the Remote No Longer Left in Vehicle Alert. These alerts will cause the horn to beep 3 times.
Remote Left in Vehicle Alert
This feature sounds an alert when the Remote Keyless Entry transmitter is left in the vehicle.
When the vehicle is turned off and an RKE transmitter is left in the vehicle, the horn will beep three times after all doors are closed.
Remote No Longer Left in Vehicle Alert.
If the vehicle is on with a door open and then all doors are closed, the vehicle will check for RKE transmitters inside.
If an RKE transmitter is not detected, the Driver Information Center (DIC) will display NO REMOTE DETECTED and the horn will chirp three times.
This occurs only once each time the vehicle is driven.
How To Turn On or Off These Alerts
This can vary depending slightly on what model year Silverado you have.
You must access the Vehicle Personalization menu:
- Touch the Settings icon on the Home Page of the infotainment display.
- Touch Vehicle to display a list of available options.
- Touch to select the desired feature setting.
- Touch O or | to turn a feature off or on.
- Touch X to go to the top level of the Settings menu.
- Remote Left in Vehicle Alert -> Touch Off or On
This menu also enables Remote No Longer In Vehicle Alert.
Chevy Silverado Beeps
If your Chevy Silverado is beeping at you then there are some things you may want to check yourself first before taking it into the dealership.
Parking Brake
If the parking brake is not released when you begin to drive, a Driver Information Center (DIC) message will appear and a chime will sound warning you that the parking brake is still on.
A chime sounds and the warning light flashes when the parking brake is applied and the vehicle is moving at least 8 km/h (5 mph).
The parking brake is a common culprit of unknown Silverado beeps, here’s what some owners had to say:
“It ended up being the parking brake. I pulled on the release lever and the pedal didn’t move. I lifted up on the pedal and it shut the bell off. Thanks to all that offered help.”
“I have a 2003 Silverado and that dang dinging was making me crazy! I never would’ve thought it was the parking brake!”
Related: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Alarm Going Off? (9 Simple Causes)
12V Battery
If the battery is starting to die you may hear a warning beep.
You can always check the battery life with a voltmeter, by measuring the voltage across the battery’s terminals.
If it’s under 11V then this is causing the beeps and you’ll need to replace it.
Weight on the Passenger Seat
If you’ve got some heavy tools or even your pet pooch on the passenger seat this can trigger a beeping noise as your truck will think your ‘passenger’ needs to buckle up.
You can simply buckle the seatbelt to see if this stops the beeping.
Faulty latches or Sticking Door Mechanisms
If you’ve got a door latch that’s sticking this will make the truck think you’ve got a door open when you haven’t.
Try giving a good clean to all door mechanisms and lubricating with WD-40, otherwise the latch will need replacing.
Fob battery
Make sure your key fob battery has plenty of life left.
Faulty ignition switch
If you have a faulty ignition switch, the truck will think the key is still left in the ignition which can trigger a beeping sound.
Bulb Blown in the Gauge Cluster
Although this isn’t specific to Chevy’s, on some vehicles when a bulb has blown in the gauge cluster the vehicle makes a warning beep.
There is a simple way to check this:
- Turn the key to the ‘ON’ poistion.
- Observe the gauge cluster.
- All lamps should illuminate.
Chevy Silverado Beeping Whilst Driving
If your Chevy Silverado is beeping whilst driving this is most likely caused by the parking brake.
If you’ve left your parking brake on or there is a fault with the parking brake this triggers a beeping sound.
Chevy Silverado Beeps 5 Times
5 Beeps on a Chevy Silverado could be indicating there is an electrical short that is draining the battery or the battery is dying.
5 beeps on a Chevy Silverado is quite rare and it’s not outlined in the owner’s manual what could be causing this.
However, some owners have traced these beeps back to wiring shorts which subsequently drained the battery.
You may also be interested in our article: Chevrolet Silverado: 11 Common Problems
What Else Could Be Causing the Beeping Noise?
Antilock Brake System
If the ABS light stays on, or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs service. A chime may also sound when the light comes on steady.
Rear Seat Reminder
This allows for a chime and a message when the rear door has been opened before or during operation of the vehicle.
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder
A reminder chime sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are manually turned on, the ignition is off, and a door is open.
To disable the chime, turn the lamps off.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more than 1.2 km (0.75 mi), a chime sounds at each flash of the turn signal.
To turn the chime off, move the turn signal lever to the off position.
Driver Assistance Features
Some driver assistance features alert the driver of obstacles by beeping, such as:
- Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System
- Parking Assists
- Tailgating Alert
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Keep Assist
You can change the volume of the warning chime. If equipped with the Safety Alert Seat, the driver seat cushion may provide a vibrating pulse alert instead of beeping.
Seat Belts
When the vehicle is started, the seat belt light flashes and a chime may come on to remind the driver to fasten their seat belt. Then the light stays on solid until the belt is buckled.
If the driver or front outboard passenger unbuckles their seat belt while driving, the seat belt reminder chime and light(s) will come on.
Speed Warning
The Speed Warning display allows the driver to set a speed that they do not want to exceed.
If the selected speed limit is exceeded, a pop-up warning is displayed with a chime.
Alternative Suggestions
Check the Gauge Cluster
When the beeping occurs can you see any lights come on at the same time on the gauge cluster?
This can give a clue as to whats causing the beeping.
Take it to a Chevy Dealership
If needed, take your truck to the dealership.
Tell them you are NOT paying for a check on what the problem might be.
Ask them if they will check it for free.
Most dealerships and other places do quick/initial diagnosis for no money as they plan to make money for the repair of your vehicle.
Check for Recalls or TSBs:
By entering your car’s VIN number on Chevy’s recall page you can determine whether or not there is a recall for your vehicle and if there is you’ll want to get it fixed.
Similarly, a quick google search will help you determine whether there is a Technical Service Bulletin for your car, these are less serious but may give a reason why your car is beeping.
Diagnosing Beeps With a Scanner
Another possible option if you’re hearing a beeping sound is to use an OBD2 diagnostic scanner tool.
These are fairly easy to use, you simply plug them into your car – there’s usually an OBD2 port under the steering wheel.
Once you have the scan codes you can research these online specifically for the Silverado.
There are also OBD apps available so you can connect your car straight to your smartphone (either with a cable or Bluetooth) without even needing a scanner.
Related: 21 Best & Worst Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Years (Explained)
Sources
https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/servicemanuals/chevrolet/2018-silverado1500.pdf
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Maintenance & Repair Costs
Why Does My Chevy Keep Beeping? (11 Common Causes)
