Battery keeps dying

[96GTS]

I use a battery tender, but the battery keeps losing a charge when I drive it. The tender was in storage mode before I drove it (so I'm thinking the battery has a full charge, right?) and I only drove it about 5 or ten miles. I got out for 10 minutes, and when I got back in I got the lovely clicking noise when I tried to start it. The 1998 fan module was installed, so the fan kicks on even when the car isn't running. Does the fan draw that much to kill the battery in such a short time?

The car was in the shop 2 months ago and had the keyless module in the interior compartment replaced because the technician thought that was the problem. Two weeks later it wouldn't start after driving it for 20-30 minutes. Today my wife was in the car with me, and I don't think she liked sitting in Vegas heat while I went a looked for a jump. I ran a diagnostic on it and the battery and alternator were working fine. Any ideas?

 

[Qualitywires.com]

Yes, your stock fan pulls a lot of amps. It's shouldn't be running after the car shuts off unless it has something like an aftermarket fan relay kit on it. I know one of the complaints of this kit in the past is that it did drain the battery...I would say if you keep draining the battery alot, you might eventually kill it. Also...make sure your connections are secure on your battery...that is another thing to look at...as simple as it sounds...it can affect u.

 

[RevHeat]

Hey Mike, where did you get your rims? I like them.

Rev

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

I doubt the "98 fan module" is what is keeping the fan running after shutdown....that is more like a Roe kit.

I have that kit...and when my last battery was tired (menaing about 4 years old), the fan was ******* the battery after shutdown. On a fresh (and even now a lightly used) battery, my fan has run for as long as 30 minutes after shutdown without ill effects.

I suggest you put a fresh battery in AND contact Sean about the timer (or, remove the kit altogether).

Personally, I added a switch right inside the driver side "gill". When I am out and about and I think the fan has run long enough...I flip the switch and it takes the kit out of the loop.

 

[96GTS]

The rims are VR-1's; 19" all the way around. I got them from an individual selling them here. JonB has been advertising the new 18" VR-1 rims that are being re-released.

The car does have an after market kit that runs when the car is off. The car has yet to go over 190 degrees since I've owned it, so I'm not wanting to get rid of it. I have an appointment Monday morning with a technician, but like I said, I had it there 2 months ago and it's still not fixed. It gets expensive "guessing" at electrical problems.

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Please, please, advise how old the battery is. If it is OLD....spend the $69 at Pep Boys and replace it. If your problem is not fixed.....I'll buy your darn battery! Many (not all) Vipers are ******* batteries. Sometimes, with the fan kit, the repeated cycling of the battery leaves a bruise...expecially if the battery is "tired".

Yes, the fan CAN be a HUGE drain on the battery....but as I said, with a fresh battery I have NEVER had a starting issue. I have had the kit on for years. I replaced the stock battery in early 2001, then again in late 2005. All the while I would walk away from my car with the fan running. I have timed it in the garage for 30 minutes.

Good luck all the same! That feeling you get when all is not right in the world *****!

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

And before anyone pings the Pep Boys battery....unless you race or do ******** stuff....it is a CAR. First one was from Napa, last one from Pep Boys.

Sure, you can get the Optima and MAYBE have to trim the posts of a $100+ battery, but why. Work smart...not hard.

 

[96GTS]

I got the battery a little over a year ago, and recently got a battery charger that did a diagnostic that said it was fine; but I may get another one anyway. What battery did you go with? I've put 5,000 miles on the car in the past year, so I do actually drive it.

And yes, it ***** when all is not right in the world. My Viper is like one of my children, and it kills me when stuff like this happens.

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

I got the battery a little over a year ago, and recently got a battery charger that did a diagnostic that said it was fine; but I may get another one anyway. What battery did you go with? I've put 5,000 miles on the car in the past year, so I do actually drive it.

Hmmm, I was expecting it to be a few years old. Mine is a little older and only once have I experienced a slight drag on the starter. Mind you, I had been out all day, it was hot, and I made many long stops in quick succesion. So, the fan ran a long time, then I drove...but not really long enough for the battery to recover...then I stopped agin. The fan ran a long time...then I drove another short distance.....catch my drift? The starter dragged just enough for me to hear it...and I made sure I went for a nice long drive.

I believe it is these quick cycles that damage the battery. Maybe could have happened in a little over a year. You'll want that timer (or a switch) in my opinion.

And yes, it ***** when all is not right in the world. My Viper is like one of my children, and it kills me when stuff like this happens.

Not one person here will disagree....I would think.

 

[WOT!]

I had the same thing happen to me. I also have Roe kit. Ended up being a short. In my case the previous owner did a poor job removing some of the stereo upgrade he had done. He just cut wires and never taped the ends. I didn't find this out until after I bought a new battery.

I found the wires when I started adding heat shields to the interior. I found at least two under the center consul.