2006 Dodge Viper Coupe dead battery/security sytem reset

my427cobra

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2006 (Gen 3) Dodge Viper Coupe

Long term storage/dead battery/security system reset

Subject at hand: a 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe that has been in storage and unmaintained for 7 years.

The car battery is dead of course and the key fob batteries are dead.

A full slate of maintenance will be done before the car is started: coolant flush, oil change, fuel system flush, tank drain, new fuel filter, new injectors, new plugs etc etc etc.

But what to do when it’s time to get into the car and start it?

Yeah. I know. A lot has been written about this. I’ve searched all three Viper forum sites and probably read 75 plus posts on dead batteries, key fobs and security system resets. Lots of discussions about other Gens and multiple gremlins.

Lots of good info but no concise orderly steps to take.

And neither the Owner’s Manual or the Factory Manuals have a “dead car battery, security system reset” scenario described.

Yup, I know how to open the door with the key (luckily the owner left the windows down enough to open the doors).

But what is the exact sequence of steps to take????????

Is there a factory bulletin or factory manual update that documents this?

Or is it all tribal knowledge?

Please audit/comment/amend my attempt at documenting this procedure as follows (the two man job version):

1) New batteries into the key fob.

2) New fully charged car battery installed but no cables hooked up

3) Open the driver’s door with the key

4) Sit in the driver seat and close the doors

5) Have a helper connect the battery cables and close the rear hatch

6) The headlights may flash and horn may beep

7) Press the unlock button on the key fob

8) Insert the ignition key and start the car

9) The lights and horn should stop

10) The security system is reset and the car should start and run.


There may be an alternate procedure (the one man job version):

1) New batteries into the key fob

2) New fully charged car battery installed

3) Hook up the battery cables and close the hatch

4) The lights may flash and the horn may beep

5) Open the driver’s door with the key – this will disable the security system (right?) lights and horn stop?

6) Sit in the driver seat and close the doors

7) Press the unlock button on the key fob

8) Insert the ignition key and start the car

9) The security system is reset and the car should run.


So, is this the correct sequence???????????

I understand if it starts but only runs for a few seconds, then it’s still in security shut-down mode (fuel and ignition cut off). Then what do I do?

Please correct/amend/add to make it right.

I’d like to know the correct sequence before I start “pressing buttons”. LOL

If it doesn’t start and run, then I’ll start chasing gremlins.

And oh yeah, as an aside. The key fob batteries are called out as CR2016 in the 2006 Owner’s Manual and CR3032 in the 2006 Factory Manual. Just saying.

Cheers

Greg
 
Last edited:

Steve-Indy

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It's not that complex in the later Gen Vipers.

Once the fuel system serviced and the engine has been fogged, rotated by hand, etc...and, it is deemed safe to attempt a start ( by experienced, reliable mechanic), hook up the battery in the Viiper and try the unlock button the fobs and you should be good to go.

The keyhole lock has two functions...turn off/reset alarm and a mechanical unlock action on driver side door. The latter action may need some careful attention if lock is frozen. Please do not blast keyhole with WD-40 as so many try. Just call me. 317 402 9013

Good luck with your new coupe !!
 

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