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/B00...ilpage_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.