2003 SRT-10 Overheating

[JoelW]

First, my apologies to Dan for not clarifying his post about the years affected by the change from PS to ATF+4. I thought it was clear from the discussion about an overheating Gen 3. Garron, the tech I talked to at my Dodge dealer, a Jeep master tech, did email or contact Chrysler technical about the use of proper fluid in the 2003 and that is what they sent back - with a reference to the TSB. We failed to print it but I'll see if he remembers the date. He said the TSB referenced all cars built after 2003 including the Jeep but I was only worried about the proper fluid in my car. Curiously, he mentioned the same Jeep power steering system and commented on the similarity to the Viper design. Also, the new electric units use an entirely different fluid so the confusion about which to use will continue. My 2003 bought with 9000 miles came with ATF in the system. Don't know the service history.

Interesting, I will have to run the vin on my car and see the exact day my personal vehicle was built (no service history).

I am still not sold on the whole PS+4 or ATF+4 (Both are MS-9602) is the best fluid to use in everything. Back in 2005 the Grand Cherokee a very similar hydraulic fan that was operated by the power steering pump. It is very well documented that PS+4 or ATF+4 is not to be used and does not meet the requirments for that PS system. The fluid was clear from factory until they switched over to electric. We will have to see what Chryslers responce to my email and I hope they will fix the errors on dealerconnect.

Garrett

 

[Garron]

Hey Joel,

I am a (20 year) Chrysler tech. I can use Dealerconnect, bulletins and the Chrysler parts software. The problem is there is a lot of conflicting information. The bulletin you are talking about is 13 years old, all the information in the parts computer and service computer is much newer. If I start reading on the forums this argument about what fluid to use has been going on forever, It always ends with this guy said, or so and so said this....

I bought my 2004 from the orginal owner with 1000 km on it. The vehicle did not have anywork done on it at all. It came with the clear PS fluid and has a build date of March 22, 2004.

All the 2005 and 2006 came with red fluid from factory, I really don't think it is an issue what what you are running as long as it is not mixed. My problem is if my parts guy types in the vin in the parts software for a 2005 viper it will say to use MS-5931 clear (the 2003 bulletin does not show up for a 2005) and we can all agree thats not what the car came with from factory. If the fluid was being used as a top up to ATF+4 I am not sure what would happen.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Garrett-

Regarding 2004 only: The only thing tripping you up is the fact that your own car has clear fluid in it, which is understandable. However, that is one car, with an unknown history. I have a half dozen 2004's we service locally, both newer and older in production date than yours, and all of them have a 100% certain history: all of them have PS+4. Your car is a fluke, not the norm. Someone along the line changed it out.

In any case, we do know regardless that PS+4 is the newer specification, and we also know that technically the systems are identical. They can use either fluid, as the test of time has shown. What you DON'T want, is to mix fluids, but that should be a no-brainer. Provided that a complete flush has been done, I don't see problems with either as long as it is clean- but I still advise PS+4, as the obviously newer spec, and less flammable variant.

I can certainly understand you trying to correct the information in the system, but at least in this thread, I think its safe to say what the answers actually are. I doubt this has turned into a bigger problem primarily because most techs tend to check colors of fluids rather than looking things up, and knowing that PS+4 is the norm in some cases, the color of the fluid is a better indicator than some tech bulletin. That being said, it should still be corrected. Another item of note is that the Viper was a physical manual car up until 2006-ish, and the tech-connect documents are identical from 2003-2005, and completely different for 2006 in most cases. It is obvious to me that much of the old information is legacy, and was never proof-read. That in itself explains why 2005/2006 seems to be the cutoff year for misinformation in some cases.

 

[Garron]

Garrett-

Regarding 2004 only: The only thing tripping you up is the fact that your own car has clear fluid in it, which is understandable. However, that is one car, with an unknown history. I have a half dozen 2004's we service locally, both newer and older in production date than yours, and all of them have a 100% certain history: all of them have PS+4. Your car is a fluke, not the norm. Someone along the line changed it out.

In any case, we do know regardless that PS+4 is the newer specification, and we also know that technically the systems are identical. They can use either fluid, as the test of time has shown. What you DON'T want, is to mix fluids, but that should be a no-brainer. Provided that a complete flush has been done, I don't see problems with either as long as it is clean- but I still advise PS+4, as the obviously newer spec, and less flammable variant.

I can certainly understand you trying to correct the information in the system, but at least in this thread, I think its safe to say what the answers actually are. I doubt this has turned into a bigger problem primarily because most techs tend to check colors of fluids rather than looking things up, and knowing that PS+4 is the norm in some cases, the color of the fluid is a better indicator than some tech bulletin. That being said, it should still be corrected. Another item of note is that the Viper was a physical manual car up until 2006-ish, and the tech-connect documents are identical from 2003-2005, and completely different for 2006 in most cases. It is obvious to me that much of the old information is legacy, and was never proof-read. That in itself explains why 2005/2006 seems to be the cutoff year for misinformation in some cases.

Hey Dan,

That really weird, I service a lot of vipers up here and I have not seen red fluid in any 2003 or 2004 cars. No matter..

I am going for my Gen 5 training January 15th, I will bring it up and share any information + the responce to my email.

 

[JAY]

Great info , Thanx for sharing !

Hey Dan,

That really weird, I service a lot of vipers up here and I have not seen red fluid in any 2003 or 2004 cars. No matter..

I am going for my Gen 5 training January 15th, I will bring it up and share any information + the responce to my email.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Hey Dan,

That really weird, I service a lot of vipers up here and I have not seen red fluid in any 2003 or 2004 cars. No matter..

I am going for my Gen 5 training January 15th, I will bring it up and share any information + the responce to my email.

Indeed very strange.

I just went and checked my personal car to make sure I am not losing my mind. 2004 with an MDH of February 5th @ 10AM, 2004. It is indeed Red PS+4. Also checked another late 2003 [2004 MY] engine I have sitting in the corner for a wreck rebuild that has been on the back burner forever. That car was all original before it was damaged, and deep down in the reservoir is sure enough PS+4.

In any event, I am looking forward to hearing what they have to say about this. It would not surprise me if there is as much confusion internally on this one as externally.

 

[jknappster]

Also red PS fluid in my 2004.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Happy New Years to all!

JKNAPPSTER- Can you confirm your MDH [Month Day Hour] when you have a moment? It is a 6-digit code located on your driver door sticker, bottom left.

 

[jknappster]

Bottom left: MDH 101005
Date of MFR: 10-03

 

[Viper Specialty]

Bottom left: MDH 101005
Date of MFR: 10-03

Yep... that's a fairly early 2004 car.