Need help...Won't start after storing for 10 months.

[97 B/W GTS]

My 3 month house rebuild turned into 10 months. Put the Viper in storage last April. Haven't driven it since. So imagine my disappointment when I went to pick it up to take out for V-tines dinner last night and it wouldn't start.

Yes, it had been on a trickle charger the whole time. But, the battery was dead. I think the connection came loose many months ago. So we tried to jump start it. It turns over, but won't fire up. It just cranks over and over and over and over...

Any ideas?

 

[Martin2000GTS]

its probably the alarm system that needs to be reset i had the exact same problem a few years ago where i actually left my head lights on. The car wouldnt jump start with any car, then i thougt it was the battery so i charged up my battery to full capacity and all it would do was turn over and not start. You need to either reset the alarm system which dodge can do by sticking in their computer thingy. or what the wizzard told me at tators remove your rear left wheel to get to your battery compartment take the black terminal off your battery and scratch it on your battery pan!!!!! It sounds soooo stupid but it worked for me. This resets the cars alarm by like sending negitively charged electrons or something like that throughtout the car. I know its weird but after trying so many differnt things over 2 weeks this made my car start right up. Give Tators Dodge a call this is what chuck told me and it worked!!!

 

[dave6666]

its probably the alarm system that needs to be reset i had the exact same problem a few years ago where i actually left my head lights on. The car wouldnt jump start with any car, then i thougt it was the battery so i charged up my battery to full capacity and all it would do was turn over and not start. You need to either reset the alarm system which dodge can do by sticking in their computer thingy. or what the wizzard told me at tators remove your rear left wheel to get to your battery compartment take the black terminal off your battery and scratch it on your battery pan!!!!! It sounds soooo stupid but it worked for me. This resets the cars alarm by like sending negitively charged electrons or something like that throughtout the car. I know its weird but after trying so many differnt things over 2 weeks this made my car start right up. Give Tators Dodge a call this is what chuck told me and it worked!!!

 

[Martin2000GTS]

Hey Dave im not the smartest guy on the planet haha but Im tellin you call Tators and ask him it did work! i would never have come up with that randomly....I duno if my science is correct but I think thats how chuck explained it to me...

 

[97 B/W GTS]

Martin, that sounds whacky. But I'l try it. Can't get it to a shop to plug it in since it won't start. Hopefully the storage place will play nice and let me do this.

Any special tools to get to the batttery?...to get the wheel and wheel well off?

 

[Steve-Indy]

You'll need a low profile jack...position it carefully !!!

Here are a couple of minor suggestions to help speed the battery change along...from one of my old posts:

"
It's not a bad job...goes well if you plan ahead and have tools ready.

Use a 3/4" (or 19mm) socket to remove left rear wheel. Then use 8mm, 11mm, and 10mm sockets to remove fasteners on splash shield in rear of fender well, and a pair of needle nose pliers to pull the plastic push pin that holds the battery cover to the splash guard...now disconnect the battery using 5/16" socket, and use a 1/2" socket to remove battery clamp.

Inspect the tray carefully...you will likely see corrosion...if so, neutralize it CAREFULLY by scrubbing with water and baking soda. DO NOT USE COMPRESSED AIR to clean this out !!!
After the area dries, I usually use a wire brush on an electric drill (wearing goggles and a respirator/face mask) to remove all remaining oxidation caused by the acid and/or rust. I wipe the tray WELL with rags, then allow it to dry. Then, after a couple more wipe-downs with ethyl alcohol to remore moisture, debris, and oils... I coat the tray bottom and sides with Rustoleum primer 2-3 times...and when dry, hit it with a couple of coats of Rustoleum black "engine gloss" even a semi-gloss. I have found that a used pizza box slid right under the battery tray makes a great "paint booth". After this is completely dry, install new battery (I PREFER a 75 series as they ALWAYS fit our various Vipers...and I always use a Sears Die-Hard Gold...noting that the LEAST amout of usage that these batteries have given me is 6.75 years). Then put it back together.

Note: SOME 94's will not start after battery disconnect...so you might wish to try it before installing the covers. If you have troubie...call me...or do a "search".

I do use a 9 volt battery plugged into the cigarette lighter...which maintains the clock and radio settings for a reasonable time.

HAVE FUN...and don't drop your Viper on yourself !!!"

Chuck Tator's advice is designed to discharge any capacitors, allowing the system to reset...first DISCONNECTING the RED terminal (positive) from the battery then touching the RED CABLE terminal to the battery tray as a ground. If you are in doubt as to your ability to do this safely...call someone else !!!!

I hope that you have good luck.