Battery Died

[v10enomous]

Went to start my 14 SRT Viper this morning and it clicked and would barely get a full rotation. The car is always on a maintainer when I put it up on the lift between uses and I put about 400 miles on it over the weekend up to Carlisle and back and it was only sitting off of the maintainer since late Saturday night so about 36 hours.

Hooked up the portable jumper and it turned right over. Idled it for 4 or 5 minutes and it started right back up. Charging at 14.3 normally on the dash. I don't think I left anything on if that's even possible. Anyone else have a battery die ?

[swexlin]

It's unusual, but not unheard of. I know my friend's 2010 SRT8 had a batter go south very quickly, and it was because he kept the key fob near the car when it was off. Do you keep the fob near the car when off? If so , it may be communicating with the car.

I always keep mine in hibernation mode, but not a maintainer. My OEM in my SRT8 lasted 6.5 years, and struggled on restarts, but never cold. I replaced it an all was good. The 3 year old Advance Auto in my 03 Viper didn't even make it through the first winter I had that car, replaced it with a Sears Diehard, and all was good.

I would get a Diehard and call it a day.

PS - It was good to see you this weekend!

[Courtney @ViperExchange]

Are you using Hibernation Mode?

[v10enomous]

Oh Wow... Both keys are in my office on my desk which is on the wall with the garage bay that my car is in on the other side. So actually about 8 feet away through a frame drywall structure.


It's unusual, but not unheard of. I know my friend's 2010 SRT8 had a batter go south very quickly, and it was because he kept the key fob near the car when it was off. Do you keep the fob near the car when off? If so , it may be communicating with the car.

I always keep mine in hibernation mode, but not a maintainer. My OEM in my SRT8 lasted 6.5 years, and struggled on restarts, but never cold. I replaced it an all was good. The 3 year old Advance Auto in my 03 Viper didn't even make it through the first winter I had that car, replaced it with a Sears Diehard, and all was good.

I would get a Diehard and call it a day.

PS - It was good to see you this weekend!

[swexlin]

"Oh Wow... Both keys are in my office on my desk which is on the wall with the garage bay that my car is in on the other side. So actually about 8 feet away through a frame drywall structure."

Charlie, I think my buddy's key fob was within that range. It's communicating with the car, I bet dollars to donuts that's it. However, I still wonder why it discharged so fast.

I think the fobs have a decent range, because the other day, I had to jostle cars, and I left the Viper running, with the fob in my pocket (I forgot) and probably walked 20 feet to my Dart to move it, and the Viper didn't quit.

[Malu59RT]

The car can be driven without the key fob inside swexlin. It's just needed for startup.

[Malu59RT]

On another note, yesterday after driving my Viper, I noticed the instrument cluster was lit up like the door was open, all day long. When I went to start the car, the fuel gauge fluttered very quickly while it was cranking, and the car won't hold 14.1 while running. I disconnected the battery and have made a service appointment for tomorrow. Had the dealer put a new battery in before taking delivery of the car in September, so surprised if it's on it's way out.

[swexlin]

The car can be driven without the key fob inside swexlin. It's just needed for startup.

Did not know that, thank you. I thought it had to be with the car to keep it running. I learned something today!

[v10enomous]

Had the dealer put a new battery in before taking delivery of the car in September, so surprised if it's on it's way out.

Did you buy it new ? Why did you have him put a new battery in it ? Because it sat a while ? My car is a 14 and I bought it in September of 14 but I suppose it could have sat for a while with a serial number under 200.

[Crotalidae]

Interesting...my battery has died twice...this was after swapping to Arrow PCM...I took PCM off & have been good so far (until yesterday)...as you describe Malu I shut car off & noticed instrument panel still lit up??? I thought it was the Arrow PCM but noticed it again yesterday on stock PCM...I've recharged battery & taken to dealer who state everything is fine...please share if your dealer finds the culprit of this glitch...I went to the Dodge dealer in Plano...

[ViperPete]

Batteries are funny.

I've had new batteries last a year and old batteries last 8-9 years.

Never can tell. Only thing you can do is keep them maintained. You never know when a cel goes bad or they get too hot etc.

[Crotalidae]

Batteries are funny.

I've had new batteries last a year and old batteries last 8-9 years.

Never can tell. Only thing you can do is keep them maintained. You never know when a cel goes bad or they get too hot etc.

I agree but I don't think my issue or Malu's are battery related...the car does not completely shut off sometimes...

[Malu59RT]

Did you buy it new ? Why did you have him put a new battery in it ? Because it sat a while ? My car is a 14 and I bought it in September of 14 but I suppose it could have sat for a while with a serial number under 200.

Yes, car was brand new and sat at the dealer 350+ days, so I didn't want an issue after delivery.


Interesting...my battery has died twice...this was after swapping to Arrow PCM...I took PCM off & have been good so far (until yesterday)...as you describe Malu I shut car off & noticed instrument panel still lit up??? I thought it was the Arrow PCM but noticed it again yesterday on stock PCM...I've recharged battery & taken to dealer who state everything is fine...please share if your dealer finds the culprit of this glitch...I went to the Dodge dealer in Plano...

I have the Arrow PCM also, I was hoping it wasn't something related to that. I've swapped stock PCM back in, and will see tonight if the issue still persists. They did a BCM update 2 weeks ago, so wonder if that may be doing it?

[mblgjr]

Im on Arrow PCM; & most current bcm firmware.

No discharge issues.

Also on Oem 2013 batt, however Im quite certain my dealer had kept it charged while in the showroom.

I often leave a fob about 8ft away as well, but I think I may have the proximity unlock feature turned off. I have to be about 3' or closer before the fob is recognized.

[Steve-Indy]

Sorry about your troubles.

I my experience, the "better dealers" will change out the old battery after the sale but before delivery when a Viper has been at the dealership that long. Maybe they did, maybe they did not. If it is the original battery, I would bet that it has been dead more than once in "350+ days".

[v10enomous]

I'm wondering if it's possible that I left it in ACC on mode. Anyone know if that shuts down automatically after a certain time ?

I forgot to mention that ever since I got the car in September the maintainer sometimes gets an error code that the charge can't be completed and I have to unplug it and plug it back in. However lately it's been working fine.

[Voice of Reason]

If you're driving the car somewhat regularly a trickle charger isn't needed unlike previous years. I've owned a Gen V for a little over 2 years now and even during the miserable cold winter of 13/14 where it sat unstarted in hibernation mode for 3-4 months it fired right up on first try the next spring. In the summer where you're driving it at least once every other week an external charger is just overkill even without hibernation mode. If this wasn't the case then the engineers on the electrical side have failed and should all be fired. This is 2015 not 1995 there's no need for this.

[swexlin]

Mine also sat for weeks at a time in my unheated garage all winter in hibernation mode, and she fired right up.

Charlie, I think there is something discharging. Did you have anything plugged into the "always on" port in the center console?

[lochnessmonster]

On another note, yesterday after driving my Viper, I noticed the instrument cluster was lit up like the door was open, all day long. When I went to start the car, the fuel gauge fluttered very quickly while it was cranking, and the car won't hold 14.1 while running. I disconnected the battery and have made a service appointment for tomorrow. Had the dealer put a new battery in before taking delivery of the car in September, so surprised if it's on it's way out.
One thought. The new R14 door recall is necessary not just because the door opens, but because if it is activated it will then start draining the battery. BUMP on parts being available for this (which I found out was totally incorrect). One of the replies as I recall detailed how this issue was causing his battery to die.

[v10enomous]

I'm hoping that I just left it in ACC on mode. It's back on the maintainer and still charging. I know that the rear hatch doesn't always latch unless I close it firmly. If it takes a full charge, Ill disconnect it for a few days and see what happens.

[swexlin]

One thought. The new R14 door recall is necessary not just because the door opens, but because if it is activated it will then start draining the battery. BUMP on parts being available for this (which I found out was totally incorrect). One of the replies as I recall detailed how this issue was causing his battery to die.

I got my updated recall letter for the door handle yesterday - parts ARE now available, letters says you can make the appointment.

[Malu59RT]

One thought. The new R14 door recall is necessary not just because the door opens, but because if it is activated it will then start draining the battery. BUMP on parts being available for this (which I found out was totally incorrect). One of the replies as I recall detailed how this issue was causing his battery to die.

That may be what's going on. Mine is at the dealer now, hoping they diagnose it soon. My car is far from a garage queen, it's practically been my daily driver since the rain stopped, sucks that this happened.

[v10enomous]

One thought. The new R14 door recall is necessary not just because the door opens, but because if it is activated it will then start draining the battery.


I just got a new recall letter today and it doesn't say anything about possible battery drain so it sounds like you are speculating ? Wouldn't the door have to actually open to drain the battery ?

[Viper Girl]

I've found the hatch won't close fully, unless I have one of the doors open/window cracked at the same time.
Those little LED lights in the trunk well stay on, then the car is either dead, or slow to crank after a few days. Seems like those little guys shouldn't be draining, but if I don't watch to make sure they go out when closing up... the battery will drain.

[v10enomous]

A few weeks ago someone told me that my license plate light was fluttering and it turned out that the hatch wasn't fully closed. I really hate slamming it so I'll try opening a door or lowering a window.

I just ordered a couple of these...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QE5AQLI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00




I've found the hatch won't close fully, unless I have one of the doors open/window cracked at the same time.
Those little LED lights in the trunk well stay on, then the car is either dead, or slow to crank after a few days. Seems like those little guys shouldn't be draining, but if I don't watch to make sure they go out when closing up... the battery will drain.

[Viper Girl]

I just ordered a couple of these...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QE5AQLI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

We keep a tender in there now, its wired up, just plug it in and we don't have an issue.
I also hate slamming the hatch, and with the car cover stowed int he back you can't see the those lights on...

[v10enomous]

My cars are both on maintainers when not in use. The 14 just reached a full charge after about 28 hours so it was pretty low. In the past the maintainer would get an error occasionally and the yellow light would start flashing which indicates that the maintainer was unable to complete charging the battery. I thought that maybe it wasn't grounded properly or the battery was already fully charged and that caused the error somehow. Now I have to believe that something is draining it down and most likely the hatch not being closed all the way.


We keep a tender in there now, its wired up, just plug it in and we don't have an issue.
I also hate slamming the hatch, and with the car cover stowed int he back you can't see the those lights on...

[Jack B]

It does not take long to get in trouble, a battery is considered dead at 85% of nominal.

Use a 1 amp leakage X 24 hours, that is 24 amp-hrs. That battery will die quickly.

I have measured other cars and 50-75 MA seems normal for a car at rest, although,i have not measured a G5 yet.

[Steve-Indy]

Easy enough to test at home...Ignition Off Draw (IOD) test. After shutting all systems off, lowering windows, and waiting a couple of minutes for the time out's to occur, read the milliamps of current with digital multimeter between negative battery terminal and negative cable. I have not checked Gen V Service Manual for normal max, but in other years it has been called abnormal current flow if greater than 35 milliamps. Full instructions are in all Viper Service Manuals.

[lochnessmonster]

I just got a new recall letter today and it doesn't say anything about possible battery drain so it sounds like you are speculating ? Wouldn't the door have to actually open to drain the battery ?

I'm not speculating. Read my post again. This was an issue another another member stated. I think he said the dealership replaced his battery twice. He, apparently, was one of the original people to identify the problem. I'm just relaying the information. That is not speculating.

[lochnessmonster]

I got my updated recall letter for the door handle yesterday - parts ARE now available, letters says you can make the appointment.
Good to hear.

[v10enomous]

Here's what I see as possible causes so far:

Hatch not fully closed
Door handle issue
Battery compromised from sitting uncharged too long on dealer lot
Left car in ACC on mode
Key too close and communicating with perimeter scan

[cayenne]

Here's what I see as possible causes so far:

Hatch not fully closed
Door handle issue
Battery compromised from sitting uncharged too long on dealer lot
Left car in ACC on mode
Key too close and communicating with perimeter scan

As I side bar, for those having to slam their hatches or having trouble, take a look at the info I posted about adjusting the latch. I tuned mine in, and it shuts beautifully with little force. Prior to that, I had to slam it. Let me know if I can help, I spent several hours finding the best way to fine tune it so I didn't have to shut it hard.

[v10enomous]

These just arrived. Looks way better than I expected even with the great reviews. It's smaller than my LG G2 phone in the Otter Box case. It's supposed to be able to do 20 jump starts and can even be used as a portable charger for my phone and laptop etc... multi adapter included... What a deal if it lives up to the reviews !



I just ordered a couple of these...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QE5AQLI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/njvipermail/81Ta7bK8tAL._SL1500__zpsadc206ms.jpg

[Malu59RT]

Got the car from the dealer yesterday, and they said the BCM update was most likely the cause for the car acting up. Haven't noticed any lights on last night, I'll update if something changes, but hope that the issue is resolved now.

[v10enomous]

Got the car from the dealer yesterday, and they said the BCM update was most likely the cause for the car acting up. Haven't noticed any lights on last night, I'll update if something changes, but hope that the issue is resolved now.

Is that one of these you think ?

http://driveviper.com/forums/threads/9683-Software-update-screwed-up-my-14

[Malu59RT]

Is that one of these you think ?

http://driveviper.com/forums/threads/9683-Software-update-screwed-up-my-14
There was an update on the cluster, as well as the BCM. I didn't get the first page of my service receipt, but remember seeing BCM on the page when signing for it.

[v10enomous]

I just want to provide a quick update on this problem.

It's been a month since my battery died and I believe that my particular problem is solved now. I firmly believe that having the key fobs in my office just 6' away from the car on the other side of the wall was the problem. Since buying the car a year ago, I was never able to get the maintainer to consistently green light a completed charge while up on the lift. I would need to unplug and the re-plug the maintainer in several times. Since I moved the key fobs to a new location further from the car, the maintainer consistently completes the charge in less than a day each time I put the car away without fail.

I'm not sure if the key fob proximity to the car draining the battery is an actual problem or just the way the car is but at any rate, the workaround is to just move the key at least 20' from the car when it's in storage or I suppose use hibernation mode.

[SADVIPER]

My car drains the battery so fast within a week if undriven. I'm sure I have some faulty circuit or some kind of slow relay. I tried a lot of troubleshooting but it goes and come. Battery replaced 2 times already in less than a quarter.
Will try more troubleshooting soon when I'm back home!

[AZTVR]

I'm not sure if the key fob proximity to the car draining the battery is an actual problem or just the way the car is but at any rate, the workaround is to just move the key at least 20' from the car when it's in storage or I suppose use hibernation mode.

Or put the key fob in a metal box as an RF shield.

[F2V]

Or put the key fob in a metal box as an RF shield.

I leave my key fob on drivers seat in garage all the time, and never had a problem with battery discharging.

[V10powerr]

i had this problem this morning. dead battery. i just drove it a week ago. my car in under the first 12 months since being purchased new. does anyone know if the battery is covered.
also i have not had the door recall done so not sure if this is related.
any precautions i should take in jumping it?
thanks

[swexlin]

i had this problem this morning. dead battery. i just drove it a week ago. my car in under the first 12 months since being purchased new. does anyone know if the battery is covered.
also i have not had the door recall done so not sure if this is related.
any precautions i should take in jumping it?
thanks


I have a Track Pack car like you, so we probably have similar build dates. I have not had the door recall done either, but I do leave it in hibernation mode when not driving (car can sit for 2+ weeks at a stretch). Since you just drove it a week ago, not sure why this happened.

Knock wood, hoping she starts on Saturday as I have plans to take her out!

[Malu59RT]

i had this problem this morning. dead battery. i just drove it a week ago. my car in under the first 12 months since being purchased new. does anyone know if the battery is covered.
also i have not had the door recall done so not sure if this is related.
any precautions i should take in jumping it?
thanks

Battery is covered for the full warranty (3yr/36k). The 1yr/12k warranty would apply to something like a clutch with a manufacturing defect (not wear related from user error).

[theviper]

One thought. The new R14 door recall is necessary not just because the door opens, but because if it is activated it will then start draining the battery. BUMP on parts being available for this (which I found out was totally incorrect). One of the replies as I recall detailed how this issue was causing his battery to die.

This is an interesting finding. I had the R14 done and the battery dies within days, but less than a week. I'm on the 3rd battery.