Clutch switch for starting engine not working help please

[Leigh]

I have just tried to start my Viper 1999 RT/10. When I depress the clutch as normal for starting and turn the key it seems completely dead, yet the battery is fully charged and all other electrical systems still work as normal. I had only just started the car half an hour before with no problem prior to this happening. Can anyone give me some advice of what I need to do to fix the problem please ?

Thank you,
Leigh.

[Mr. Acoustics]

If you think it is the clutch safety switch that has failed you can easily test it. Contort yourself under the dash and disconnect the switch, the plug is fairly obvious, then use a paper clip or something else to jump across the 2 pins of the connector of the wiring harness. You might need to put a small piece of tape on it to hold it in for the quick test. Try and start the car. If it starts you need a new switch, if not break out your multi-meter and start investigating further.

[Steve-Indy]

You can try to slightly rotate the switch on the shaft, also unplug then reconnect the switch and try to start. If that fails, then you can disconnect the plug and jump the terminals as outlined above...as a TEST but not a fix due to the inherent dangers in eliminating this safety device.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

You can try to slightly rotate the switch on the shaft, also unplug then reconnect the switch and try to start. If that fails, then you can disconnect the plug and jump the terminals as outlined above...as a TEST but not a fix due to the inherent dangers in eliminating this safety device.

What he said.

Often, merely 'manipulating' and realigning the switch is the fix.

Good Luck

[Leigh]

Thank you all for your input, I am 74 years old and have no hope of getting down under the peddles, so will get someone capable of doing it for me. If I needed a new switch where would I get one? I can't find any one who lists this part, maybe it has a different name.

[LifeIsGood]

I'm thinking you need a...

Clutch Starter Interlock Switch, part # 53007944AB

[Leigh]

Thanks, I just found them at VIPER Parts Depot for OEM $125 or Aftermarket $99 It's called a (Clutch starter safety switch). Thank you all.

[Old School]

Rockauto has them for $15

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/wve,1S4968,clutch+pedal+position+/+starter+safety+switch,16665

[Leigh]

Thanks for your knowledge on Vipers and where to get parts, you have all saved me a lot of money and time, I have ordered the part from rockauto.com. Well done.

[dave6666]

Rockauto has them for $15

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/wve,1S4968,clutch+pedal+position+/+starter+safety+switch,16665

$49.79

[Old School]

Thanks for your knowledge on Vipers and where to get parts, you have all saved me a lot of money and time, I have ordered the part from rockauto.com. Well done.

Were you able to get yours for $15?

[lane_viper]

Is this not the correct part? Shows up under 97 Viper on Rockauto.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/dodge,1997,viper,8.0l+v10,1314713,electrical-switch+&+relay,clutch+pedal+position+/+starter+safety+switch,16665

$6.84

[13COBRA]

I had that happen to mine last year. The switch was good. The foam piece that actually compresses the switch had gotten so flat it wasn't contacting the switch unless I pushing the pedal to the firewall.

I took an 1/8" wide piece of rubber hose and put it around the bar and ziptied it. Worked like a charm.

(I assume it would be the same throughout all generations)

[Rocket]

This may not apply on the Gen2 - as the exact same symptoms on a Gen 3/4, can be a blown ASD fuse.

[AZTVR]

Is this not the correct part? Shows up under 97 Viper on Rockauto.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/dodge,1997,viper,8.0l+v10,1314713,electrical-switch+&+relay,clutch+pedal+position+/+starter+safety+switch,16665

$6.84

That is the Stop Lamp Switch which is activated by the brake pedal. I think that it is also misidentified in the factory parts list with reference to being the clutch interlock.

[lane_viper]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Leigh]

I ended up ordering the switch from rockauto.com for me it added up to about $30 including posting to Australia and duty and tax, I thought that was very good.
The Gen2 1999 is a different switch to the 1997, although very similar they will not fit, unfortunately the 1999 model was the more expensive one.

[Leigh]

I ended up putting in the new clutch safety starter switch, which has now just become a spare in my spares box, after testing everything it turns out to be a faulty ignition switch, so I will order one of them.