Warning lights panel doesn't come on. No warning lights.

What is it chiming ? Chimes for different reasons , headlamps on , seat belt not buckled , etc.... What warning light is lit on the instrument cluster ? if any . seat belt , air bag's etc...

Audible Warnings Description and Operation
The audible warnings alert the driver of a system concern or a critical vehicle condition. The following lists the audible warning priority and the pulse rate:
Fast rate chime (200 pulses per minute)
Medium rate chime (150 pulses per minute)
Slow rate chime (50 pulses per minute)
Single chime
Fasten Safety Belt Warning
The inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) activates the fasten safety belt audible warning for 5-8 seconds. The fasten safety belt warning sounds and the fasten seat belt indicator illuminates when the following occurs:
• The ignition switch is in RUN, BULB TEST, or START position.
• The SDM detects that the driver's seat belt is not buckled (signal is low).
If the seat belt is buckled before the ignition is in RUN, BULB TEST, or START position, the chime does not sound. If the seat belt is buckled while the chime is sounding, the chime stops.
Key-In-Ignition Warning
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) activates the key-in-ignition audible warning. The key-in-ignition warning sounds when the following occurs:
• The ignition switch is in OFF, LOCK, or ACCY position.
• The body control module (BCM) determines that the driver's door is open (signal is low).
• The BCM determines that the key-in-ignition switch is closed (signal is low).
Lights On Warning
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) activates the lights on audible warning. The lights on warning sounds when the following occurs:
• The key is not in the ignition.
• The body control module (BCM) determines that the drivers door is open (signal is low).
• The BCM determines that the headlamp switch is in the park or head position.
Rear Parking Assist
The rear object sensor control module activates the audible warning. The audible warning sounds whenever any of the indicators are illuminated on the rear parking assist display. For a description of the rear parking assist system refer to Object Detection Description and Operation.
Turn Signal Reminder
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) sounds the turn signal reminder once per each flash of the turn signal lamps when:
• The ignition switch is in the RUN position.
• The turn signal switch is in either turn position, sensing, within 1 second, an open to B+ transition in the turn signal control circuit (left or right turn).
• The vehicle has traveled a distance of 1.2 km (0.75 mi) by counting pulses on the vehicle speed input circuit.
The IPC turns off the turn signal reminder when either the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position or to the OFF position, or the turn signal switch returns to the OFF position, sensing, within 1 second, no transitions from open to B+ in either of the turn signal control circuits (left turn or right turn).
Additional Chimes
The following chimes will turn on when an associated indicator turns on in the instrument panel cluster (IPC):
• Low Fuel Indicator
• Low Oil Pressure Indicator
• OVER SPEED indicator
For a description of an indicator refer to Indicator/Warning Message Description and Operation.
For diagnosis of an indicator refer to Symptoms - Instrument Panel, Gages and Console.

Your have a problem with one of these systems , your best bet , take it to a qualified repair shop. They would do diagnostic's to find the problem .

Do any indicators illuminate when the chime sounds?
Go to Symptoms - Instrument Panel, Gages and Console
Go to Step 3
3
Turn the ignition OFF.
Remove the key from the ignition.
Turn the headlamp switch to OFF.
Close all of the vehicle doors.
Open one or more of the vehicle doors
Does the chime sound at all times regardless if the doors are open or closed?
Go to Step 15
Go to Step 4
4
Close all of the vehicle doors.
With a scan tool, observe the LF Door Ajar Switch parameter and the RF Door Ajar Switch parameter in the instrument panel cluster BCM/Inputs data list.
Do all of the Door Ajar Switch parameters display Door Closed?

With a scan tool, observe the Left Rear Door Ajar Sw. parameter and the Right Rear Door Sw. parameter in the instrument panel cluster BCM/Inputs data list.
Do all of the Rear Door Switch parameters display Closed?

This is a 21 step diagnostic trouble shooting flow chart .

This warning indicator is controlled by the BCM - body control module . You cant turn it off , you need to fix the faulty input switch that signals the BCM that the door is open .
Body Control Module
The various body control module (BCM) input and output circuits are described in the corresponding functional areas indicated on the BCM electrical schematics. The BCM functions include the following:
• Battery rundown protection--Inadvertent power--Refer to Interior Lighting Systems Description and Operation in Lighting Systems.
• BTSI/automatic transmission shift lock control--Refer to Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Description and Operation in Automatic Transaxle - 4T65-E.
• Bulb check--Refer to Instrument Cluster Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
• Chimes--Refer to Audible Warnings Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
- Check gages
- Content theft deterrent
- Door ajar warning
- Headlamps ON
- Key-in-ignition
- Oil reset
- Park brake warning
- Seat belt not fastened
- Turn signal ON
- Vehicle theft deterrent
• Door lock interface--Refer to Power Door Locks Description and Operation in Doors.
• Exterior and interior lighting control--Refer to Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation in Lighting Systems.
- Automatic lighting control
- Backup lamps
- Daytime running lights (DRL)
- Fog lamps
- High/low beam head lamps
- Park brake lights
- Turn hazard lamps
• Gage control--Refer to Instrument Cluster Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
• Heated seats--Refer to Heated Seats Description and Operation in Seats.
• Horn interface--Refer to Horns System Description and Operation in Horns.
• Instrument cluster indicator control--Refer to Instrument Cluster Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
• Interior lighting--Refer to Interior Lighting Systems Description and Operation in Lighting Systems.
• Key-in-ignition sensing--Refer to Audible Warnings Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.
• Parking brake state sensing--Refer to Brake Warning System Description and Operation in Hydraulic Brakes.
• Retained accessory power (RAP)--Refer to Retained Accessory Power (RAP) Description and Operation in Retained Accessory Power.
• Rear compartment interface--Refer to Power Door Locks Description and Operation in Doors.
• Rear defogger--Refer to Rear Window Defogger Description and Operation in Stationary Windows.
• Remote function control--Refer to Keyless Entry System Description and Operation in Keyless Entry.
• RFA communication link--Refer to Keyless Entry System Description and Operation in Keyless Entry.
• Seat belt use sensing--Refer to Seat Belt System Description and Operation in Seat Belts.
• Theft deterrent vehicle/content--Refer to Theft Systems Description and Operation in Theft Deterrent.
• Washer solvent level sensing--Refer to Wiper/Washer System Description and Operation in Wipers/Washer Systems.
• Wiper/washer--Refer to Wiper/Washer System Description and Operation in Wipers/Washer Systems.

As far as the sliding doors , pull the fuse's

Door ajar switch problem more then likely or wiring issue . The BCM - body control module won't turn off interior light , let door lock because it think's the door is open . The door ajar switch is a input to the BCM .

The first thing would be to have it checked for DTC'S - diagnostic trouble codes . Also check with an enhanced scan tool to see if the BCM shows ajar switch data (open or closed ? Do you know about body electronics ?
Body Control Module
The various BCM input and output circuits are described in the corresponding functional areas indicated on the BCM electrical schematics. The Body Control Module functions include the following:
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A/C compressor request. Refer to Air Temperature Description and Operation

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Remote Function Control. Refer to Keyless Entry System Description and Operation

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A/C cooling Fan. Refer to Air Delivery Description and Operation

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Audio Delay Power. Refer to Radio/Audio System Description and Operation

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Exterior and interior lighting control. Refer to Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation

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Daytime running lights (DRL)

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Automatic lighting control

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Fog lamps

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Interior lighting. Refer to Interior Lighting Systems Description and Operation

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Battery rundown protection (Inadvertent Power). Refer to Interior Lighting Systems Description and Operation

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Chimes. Refer to Audible Warnings Description and Operation

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Key-In-Ignition

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Head Lamps On

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Seat Belt Not Fastened

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Turn Signal On

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Park Brake Warning

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Door Ajar Warning

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Check gages

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Gage control. Refer to Instrument Cluster Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.

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Instrument cluster indicator control. Refer to Instrument Cluster Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.

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Theft deterrent. Refer to Theft Systems Description and Operation .

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Engine coolant level sensing. Refer to Cooling System Description and Operation .

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Washer solvent level sensing. Refer to Wiper/Washer System Description and Operation in Wipers/Washer Systems.

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Key-in-ignition sensing. Refer to Audible Warnings Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.

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Seat belt use sensing. Refer to Seat Belt System Description and Operation .

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Brake fluid level sensing.

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Parking brake state sensing.

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Rear compartment interface. Refer to Power Door Locks Description and Operation

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Horn interface.

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Door lock interface. Refer to Power Door Locks Description and Operation

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Bulb Check. Refer to Instrument Cluster Description and Operation in Instrument Panel, Gages, and Console.

Have a look at this thread - there's a few suggestions in it.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?317215-E36-auto-transmission-warning-light-%28!%29

NEED CODE FAULTS AND THE ECUS THAT THEY COME ON!!

Interesting. They haven't used generators in over 50 yrs.
But yes that was the warning light for the generator.
If you have a volt meter that would tell you what the system is doing.
If the engine will not crank, and the battery is fully charged, you would need to check the connections at the starter for voltage and ground.
And the red warning lights would normally come on until the engine starts.

I would think a sensor is going bad , but ,without testing that is just a guess , just like the dealer tech , assuming it's a module or a fuse ! With the light's on checking for DTC'S - diagnostic trouble codes would be a real good first step . The dealer tech should have hooked up the Tech 2 scan tool an checked codes an look at sensor data parameters ....

Bad ABS control module. This guy rebuilds them: http://home.earthlink.net/~vicrocha/Volvo_Parts/Volvo_ABS_removal.htm

Get someone to check oil pressure with a mechanical gauge, to verify whether you have oil pressure or not. These engine/vehicles, have 2 warning sensors & a control module in the instrument panel. Once you know you have pressure for sure, then you can proceed from there.

I had the same problem. Abs light would come on and I would lose all dash instruments. Hit a bump on the road and abs light would go off and dash would come back on. What I did to fix problem, lol I slaped the dash just to the right of instrument panel and it all came back to life. There seems to be a short there, and I slaped it back 3 times in a week and now for the last month it has stayed on.