Battery dead and can't jump ??

[Andrew2KRT10]

Hey guys, dont ask me what went wrong with my trickle charger, but why the Hell couldn't I pop the clutch and jump this thing. Granted I have not done this in about 30 years, but still. I had some good speed, tried in 1,2,and 3rd.

[Steve-Indy]

There may be more to it than that...feel free to call me.

[Andrew2KRT10]

And it's not like I didn't start it all winter - thought that optimum battery would have held a charge better than that

[Steve-Indy]

Good to speak with you...please give The Viper Wizard my best regards !!

[Sam Goldfarb]

No battery power = No fuel pressure + No computer power = no start.

If you towed it fast enough or long enough the alternator might generate enough power to allow it to start. It should start with a jump, unless the dead battery is sucking all the charge. You may need to charge/jump it for awhile.

I solved this issue on most of my vehicles by putting battery disconnect switches in. They can sit for months and start right up with a slight computer learning issue sometimes. I tried all manners of chargers, batteries and devices and the simplest works the best! Absolute worst batteries I ever had were Optimas! After 3 replacements under warranty they told me not to come back and I have obliged them. I counted all the automotive batteries I now own and it is over 50! It's amazing how they have developed batteries that last 1-2 months past their warranty dates and then completely fail!

[Andrew2KRT10]

It's been charging for about and hour - needled hasn't moved much at all. Gonna leave it till tomorrow - if still no good I'll yank out the battery and go from there.

[ViperGTS]

jump start? put another car next to it and connect. minus to minus. plus to plus. lights on (all!) for the starter car. start. done. uff.

[Andrew2KRT10]

Well, yeah, I didn't try to jump with another car, figured my battery starter should have worked and surely jumping on a roll it should have been a no brainier. Oh well, its on the charger now, would like to at least get it to kick over and then I'll go ahead and just drop in a new battery.

[Andrew2KRT10]

Leave it up to my Dad's 40 year old charger - back up to about 70%. Gonna switch now to the trickle charger

[Bugman Jeff]

Just do NOT jump start it with a battery charger's "boost" function. The Boost/jump feature on battery chargers has been known to fry a Viper's ECM on more than one occasion.

optimum battery

Also, if you mean you're running an Optima battery, they are also well known for not surviving storage. I've used several of them in customer's cars at their request, and I've never had one that really lasted. Particularly once they've been drained dead, they never seem to fully recover.

[Andrew2KRT10]

Yes all, Optima, not optimum (which is my cable company lol). In any case, I did try the Start boost function and evidently I got real lucky !! Came home today, she started right up, no problem, took a quick ride and back inside on the trickle charger. As for the quality of the Optima battery, I can't really complain. I have to be going on at least 8 years with this battery, and it gets real cold below freezing in my garage, however, I always have it in the trickle (installed by The Wizard many years ago). So all is good !

[Steve-Indy]

Glad to hear it's OK !! I was worried enough about your PCM that I gave Chuck Tator a "heads up" call this AM.

Have a great Spring in your Viper !!