NEED - reputable Viper tech in Central Ohio

Hi everyone,

As the warm weather approaches, my Viper decides to die on me.

Since I purchased it in November of '08, I have had an intermittent check-engine light for an 02 heater circuit. My dealership in PA couldn't find anything wrong, and the light stayed off for a while. After recently replacing plug wires (old ones were getting burnt on the headers) the MIL came on again. Last weekend as I was driving back from visiting a friend here in town, she suddenly started sputtering, and I could instantly tell that I had lost one-or-more cylinders. I took it back to my garage and let it sit for a few days, but it is still misfiring immediately upon startup.

My question is this: The Viper is located in Zanesville, OH - about an hour from the Eastern border of Ohio, West-South-West of Pittsburgh, and East of Columbus, OH. I need to get this Viper to a shop as I do not have the time or the means to diagnose this issue on my own. All of my equipment is at my residence in PA. I need to know if there are any reputable Viper shops in Pittsburgh or Columbus (or anywhere closer to Zanesville, though I doubt it) that other members have worked with who I can contact to have my Viper towed to and serviced.

I am going to attempt to remove the plugs and check for fouling. The Viper has SVS Headers installed, which makes a few plugs on the passenger side VERY hard to reach. If I can get the plugs out, I'll replace them to see if I can at least get all cylinders running enough to get it to a shop without having to tow it.

Any references would be greatly appreciated. This Viper has been a headache since day 2, and I would very much like to get it's issues solved, once and for all.

Thanks.

Jeff

Hey Jeff.

evans automotive exotic sports cars sales service parts
They're MAJOR Lambo guys, but they know their way around exotics.
VCA member "Stretch" had his Gen. I inspected there, and the guys were thorough, very respectful, and very careful.

If you can score a trailer, I'll put the hitch back on the truck and bring the car to Columbus.
Nothing like a Viper hauling a Viper.

I'm certainly not a Viper tech, but I'd be happy to take a look at the codes and see if anything can be done before you shell out a bunch of cash.

Feel free to PM me for my cell number.
I'm sure we can get you up and running quickly.

Kevan - I greatly appreciate the link. I'm going to check the code myself here locally first - but I'm suspecting the same O2 Sensor Heater Circuit code. The previous owner replaced ALL the O2's, the harness, and the PCM - still kept throwing the code.

For now I'm just going to try to get it running on all 10 again, and then drive it to a shop. I'm going to look up Evans right now. Thanks again.

No problem. Happy to help out.
I'll PM you my cell, just in case you have problems.

The Evans site kinda *****, but that's probably because they're too busy tweaking Lambos and Ferraris to work on their website. LOL

Yeah, my only concern is that I want to take it to a VIPER GUY. Someone who knows these cars and little glitchy issues like this one and can solve it. I'd love to take it to Chuck, but the car won't make it there, not to mention I'd have to leave it, and that's kinda far from home!

JeffTheViperMan said:

Yeah, my only concern is that I want to take it to a VIPER GUY. Someone who knows these cars and little glitchy issues like this one and can solve it. I'd love to take it to Chuck, but the car won't make it there, not to mention I'd have to leave it, and that's kinda far from home!

Click to expand...

Jeff, I am currently asking the folks from the Pittsburgh area for some info for you, in the mean time, I would still call Chuck, the man can work wonders over the phone and may have some insight as to what may be going on

I will do that. I just hate asking people to "fix stuff" over the phone. As a former tech myself, that can be a pain in the butt! But he sounds like the kinda guy who wants to help regardless, so I'll give him a call.

Thanks! I'm going down this afternoon to start working on the problem.

Jeff

Jeff, so far the only response I got was for a dealer in Wexford

Wright Dodge of Wexford 724- 799-2415

Check out Nelson Auto group in Marysville, OH. They had a good Viper tech for many years. It's been almost 5 since I've been in Columbus, may still be there. One of the largest Lambo dealers in the country as well.

Jeff, The viper tech I go to is pretty good. He is in the cleveland area though. Actully befor I ever got my first viper people I know were telling me about him. "If you ever do get a viper thats the dealership you should take it to." Ganley Dodge 1-440-585-1000 The viper techs name is Mike. I have never had a bad experience with him. Kinda quiet but very nice.

Thank you for all the references. I'm still working on this locally trying to get the car running again, and then I can decide where I'm going to take it.

Jeff

hey jeff my dad is a viper tech for a dodge dealer. i live about an hour away from erie PA let me know thanks mike oh and he has worked for the same dealer for 30 years

QUICKSRT10/SRT8 - is the dealership in the same town you live in - i.e. do you live near your dad?

I see you're in Mentor - that's where my family just moved from. In fact they still have a condo there that they're trying to sell. It's possible that you're talking about the same dealership that my dad got his Jeep and my brother his Durango.

the dealership is ganley dodge which useto be glavic dodge. i talked to my dad he can do it on the side to save you money or run it through the dealer its up to you. i live 5 min away from my dad and the dealership is in wickliffe let me know thanks mike

Klaben Dodge in Kent, Ohio

Appears to be well respected. I have had typical service work done there. They were recommended by one of the long time members and officer of the Ohio VCA and spoke very highly of the the Tech. at Klaben

Kent is located East of Akron, Ohio. Easily reached off of Rt. 76

Good Luck

I had a great experience with Mike at Adventure CJD in Willioughby.
He was flexible in scheduling, gave me a thorough and accurate inspection on an Ebay Viper, and was VERY reasonably priced.
Thanks again Mike!