Help! Car won’t start

[Shannon Whitehead]

#250394

First, I would charge the battery fully with a real charger, not a tender. I do not install new batteries without charging them FULLY outside of the car on an appropriate charger.

Next, I would check the battery cables at the connector…have seen some hanging on by only a few strands due to out gassing around terminals.

Finally, I would suggest that you check the connections at the starter…make sure they are clean and tight.

Good luck.

[Shannon Whitehead]

#250401

Also check the frame connection end of the battery ground cable. (Also check on any engine to frame ground strap.)

[fuggles]

#250407

Sounds like the starter is dead.

[slysnake]

#250414

Sounds like the starter is dead

That’s my fear. Would that just happen all of a sudden or would there be any prior indication. Is there any easy way to check this?

First, I would charge the battery fully with a real charger

I have a charger but haven’t tried it because I’ve heard the Optima batteries can’t be charged like a regular battery. Is that true?

Next, I would check the battery cables at the connector / Also check the frame connection end of the battery ground cable.

I’ll check this first.

[fuggles]

#250418

I don’t know of any easy way to test. Ruling out all else is one way (not really a test). Shorting the starter motor directly is the only sure way. Sometimes not easy depending on the location. I’m new to my viper so I haven’t tried any of this on a viper.

[fuggles]

#250425

Here is the diagnostic procedure from the service manual. I believe you have ruled out Battery, Starter relay, ignition switch, clutch interlock and starter solenoid (maybe). Remaining items are wiring (as others have mentioned) and starter. Apologies for the horrible formatting.

POSSIBLE CAUSE: CORRECTION
Battery discharged or faulty: Refer to the battery section for more information. Charge or replace battery, if required
Starting circuit wiring faulty: Refer to feed circuit resistance test and feed circuit test in this section.
Starter relay faulty: Refer to relay test, in this section. Replace relay, if necessary.
Ignition switch faulty: Refer to ignition switch test, in the steering section or 8 wiring diagrams. Replace switch, if necessary.
Clutch interlock switch: Refer to clutch pedal position switch test, in the clutch. Section. Replace switch, if necessary.
Starter solenoid faulty: Refer to solenoid test, in this section. Replace starter assembly, if necessary.
Starter assembly faulty: If all other starting system components and circuits check ok, replace starter assembly.

[Shannon Whitehead]

#250543

Old school trick is to smack the starter. It’s an electric motor. (Fun fact, you could actually drive at about 5-7 mph on just the starter.) but the starter just starts. If you have power to the the car, lights turn on and stereo etc, then in my experience it isn’t the starter. When the starter is bad, you get power, but nothing happens when you turn the key.

To me, it sounds like a bad connection. Make sure where the battery connections are good. They may need cleaned. I’m also not a fan of optima batteries at all. But I am not sure that us the problem here.

[slysnake]

#251137

Here is the diagnostic procedure from the service manual.

OK, followed these procedures and it does seem that it is a starter or starter solenoid.

[Shannon Whitehead]

#251255

slysnake said:
OK, followed these procedures and it does seem that it is a starter or starter solenoid.

FYI, Autozone will test a starter if you bring it to them.

[NMviperguy]

#252024

Just park on a hill every time and pop the clutch :). Kidding kidding, could be the starter switch. As previously stated bypass the switch and try directly at the starter or take it off and have it tested

[John Gayton]

#252027

Also – do a quick check of the asd fuses. Doesn’t sound like them since your getting some click from the starter, but worth a look.

[slysnake]

#252333

Today I was able to lift the car and remove the starter. Took it to Auto Zone to have it checked as mentioned above. Guy said it was an unusual looking starter. I am actually amazed at how small it is. I didn’t realize that. They put it on their machine but said they couldn’t test it.

I then took it to the dealership and they tested it for me. Sure enough it is fried. Have a new one ordered and hope to get it Tuesday.

[Shannon Whitehead]

#20944

I have an ’05 with about 36k miles on it.

Here’s the story.

I had an Optima yellow top in the car for about 7 years. It started to show signs of failing (slow cranking, etc.) so I turned it in and bought a new one of the same thing about a month ago. Put it in the car and everything was happy as could be. Car started right up quickly, strong crank, etc. Thursday I pulled the car out of the garage and washed it to get ready to put it away for the winter. Saturday was nice so I thought I would take it for a little drive. Got in, turned the key and pressed the start button. There were a few clicks and everything went dead.

Oh boy, I thought. A dead battery. Pulled my truck up and hooked on the jumper cables. Still no power. Now I’m thinking they sold me a faulty battery so I took it back. They swapped it out for another one, no problem. Put it in the car and the same thing. a few click, then dead. no lights, not power, nothing. After about a minute the power comes back on. Tried this several times with the same result. Tried the jumper cables with the same result. Took the battery back to the store and this time they ran a test on it. They said it tested as fine. Also ran a test on the other one I had brought back and it tested OK too.

Any ideas on what’s wrong?

sly

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