2008 ACR starter drags - is this normal

[johniew398]

I purchased my 2008 ACR new and ever since it was new the starter drags a little when starting the first time. It just hesitates; but, always starts and after
you drive it, it then starts immediately. I always figured that was normal - anyone else's Gen IV like that.

I am planning on replacing the battery when I have the oil changed next, only because I figured after four years plus however long the batter was sitting before it was installed, it's probably five years old. I drive my ACR weekly.

Which brings up a question for Gen IV ACR owners: what is the best battery?

 

[01sapphirebob]

As far as the battery goes everyone seems to swear by the Die Hard platinum series for the Viper. Fitment group 34 I think. Plan on doing this with my GEN IV in the spring.

 

[johniew398]

As far as the battery goes everyone seems to swear by the Die Hard platinum series for the Viper. Fitment group 34 I think. Plan on doing this with my GEN IV in the spring.

Thanks. Appreciate it.

 

[Roysviper]

My 09 ACR never dragged, neither did my 09 AERO COUPE nor my 08 SRT 10, for sure you need to replace the 4-5 yr old battery, clean the cables real good, go with the replacement MOPAR battery or the one SapphireBob recommends....hopefully that will solve the problem...




TE=johniew398;3152426]I purchased my 2008 ACR new and ever since it was new the starter drags a little when starting the first time. It just hesitates; but, always starts and after
you drive it, it then starts immediately. I always figured that was normal - anyone else's Gen IV like that.

I am planning on replacing the battery when I have the oil changed next, only because I figured after four years plus however long the batter was sitting before it was installed, it's probably five years old. I drive my ACR weekly.

Which brings up a question for Gen IV ACR owners: what is the best battery?[/QUOTE]

 

[Allan]

Optima Red Top.......................

 

[Steve M]

What you describe sounds exactly like what mine does on a first start...it's like that first crank just takes a bit more effort, then it is fine. It still does it with a new DieHard Platinum, but not nearly like it did with the stock battery. I think some of it is normal, and some of it is a weak OEM battery that might need to be replaced.

Do you have something like a Battery Tender on it between those times when you drive it?

 

[tattooed]

My 2010 ACR does this. Battery is 9 months old, vehicle was purchased new 9 months ago, and has 6100 miles on it.

I've noticed that only the first start of the day is like this. Subsequent starts on same day are stronger/quicker.

 

[johniew398]

My 2010 ACR does this. Battery is 9 months old, vehicle was purchased new 9 months ago, and has 6100 miles on it.

I've noticed that only the first start of the day is like this. Subsequent starts on same day are stronger/quicker.

Thanks. That is exactly how mine is and has been from the day it was new.

 

[bluesrt]

a not fully 100 percent battery will do this, you have to trickle charge your battery, your car will not fully charge your battery, ever, so if it sits every now n then, trickle charge it before start up

 

[Timnineside]

Mine has turned slow since purchase and I talked to the previous owner and has the issue since new. Almost like a hestitation. I will be putting in a new battery in the spring and see what happens.

-Tim

 

[ACRucrazy]

Has anyone ever upgraded the alternator?

 

[98intrigue]

Funny...I've been dealing with the same problem. I got a new battery hoping that would fix the issue, but it did not. Sometimes the hesitation is so bad that it will reset my radio presets and odometer trip.

 

[Timnineside]

Funny...I've been dealing with the same problem. I got a new battery hoping that would fix the issue, but it did not. Sometimes the hesitation is so bad that it will reset my radio presets and odometer trip.

Dang I have a similar problem! Never thought it could be linked to anything there but that does make sense. I don't loose my radio presets, but my trip gets reset all the time.

 

[tattooed]

hmmm, well wasn't the entire electrical system upgraded for Gen IV? Maybe this is an electrical bug. I've monitored voltage and it is fine on my car.

 

[bluesrt]

make shure you have good ground and a fully trickle charged battery,tight cables- then you should not any problems, if your battery is not 100, it will do this

 

[Steve M]

Never lost the trip settings on mine...I'll keep an eye on it though.

 

[MtnBiker]

Trip setting? How do you get that? All I see is total mileage...never thought it had a trip setting...

 

[Steve M]

You'll likely have to lower your steering wheel as far as it will adjust down, and you'll be able to see the pin to access/reset it. It's very hard to see unless you look over the steering wheel and down.

 

[johniew398]

Funny...I've been dealing with the same problem. I got a new battery hoping that would fix the issue, but it did not. Sometimes the hesitation is so bad that it will reset my radio presets and odometer trip.

Same here although that just recently started. I figure since it's four years old and the battery is probably older than that, it's time for a new battery. None of it is a big deal because it always starts. I will see what happens after they replace the battery.

 

[MtnBiker]

You'll likely have to lower your steering wheel as far as it will adjust down, and you'll be able to see the pin to access/reset it. It's very hard to see unless you look over the steering wheel and down.

Thanks, found it. Never knew it was there.

 

[PeterMJ]

make shure you have good ground and a fully trickle charged battery,tight cables- then you should not any problems, if your battery is not 100, it will do this

Agreed about grounds. Connections at the starter should be checked as well, corrosion may be present.

 

[Steve M]

Thanks, found it. Never knew it was there.

Yeah...when I was driving mine home from Oklahoma over a year ago after buying it, I made a comment to my wife (who was riding shotgun for the 13 hour trip): "You know what this car doesn't have? A trip meter." She started flipping through the owner's manual, and showed me where the button was for it. It definitely is not easy to see.

 

[cowger]

If you don't have one, I'd highly recommend a trickle charger. This one works great and keeps the battery topped up but won't overcharge:

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-BM3B-Battery-Maintainer/dp/B0051D3MP6/

Can't beat the price!

 

[JasonSSG]

My "09 is having similar problems too!

 

[Stealth]

I am on my 2nd Optima Battery with my 2008 and I have the same issue. My car is driven 1-2 times per week. I just purchased a B & D Battery Tender. Hopefully this handles the issue.

 

[viperprowler1]

Interesting. I thought it was just an idiosyncracy of my particular ACR. It does exactly what is described except if I have it on the trickle charger. Then it whirls over with no effort Thanks for bringing this topic up.

 

[cowger]

For those with a roadster...

I ended up mounting my trickle charger to my garage door opener so that the cord hangs down to about 2' above the floor, with the cigarette lighter adapter on it. To keep it from hitting my car as I back in, I mounted some rare-earth magnets onto the cord, 5-6' above the floor, and this holds the cigarette lighter adapter up and out of the way as I pull in.

And I re-wired the little pop-up 12V outlet next to the shifter to the "always on" 12V circuit (same as the outlet in the console tray).

So after I pull into the garage, I pull the cord down and plug it in. Before I drive in the morning, I pop the adapter back up onto the magnetic catch. The only disadvantage is that the top needs to be down (I keep my down all the time, anyway) and you can't put a car cover on with it plugged in.

Hopefully this might be useful to someone out there...

 

[PeterMJ]

I mount mine on the batteries, in all of my cars, the cord is easy to hide. The only disadvantage is when you forget to unplug before driving off, LOL. The reason why I do this is I can take the trickle charger everywhere.

For those with a roadster...

I ended up mounting my trickle charger to my garage door opener so that the cord hangs down to about 2' above the floor, with the cigarette lighter adapter on it. To keep it from hitting my car as I back in, I mounted some rare-earth magnets onto the cord, 5-6' above the floor, and this holds the cigarette lighter adapter up and out of the way as I pull in.

And I re-wired the little pop-up 12V outlet next to the shifter to the "always on" 12V circuit (same as the outlet in the console tray).

So after I pull into the garage, I pull the cord down and plug it in. Before I drive in the morning, I pop the adapter back up onto the magnetic catch. The only disadvantage is that the top needs to be down (I keep my down all the time, anyway) and you can't put a car cover on with it plugged in.

Hopefully this might be useful to someone out there...