Could not get into my 03 Viper, Anyone else ever experiance this

[tomscorvette]

Disconnect the battery on my 03 convertible for the winter slumber and over the weekend wanted to take her out of the garage for the first time this year. I connected the battery and my key fab would not unlock the doors, nothing, dead to the world so I checked the battery voltage and it was at 13.2 volts. I also used the ignition key to access the driverside under mirror and nothing at all? everything dead and no signs of life, I was pissed. So I decided to open the trunk and remove all the rear convertible top flange nuts around 15 of them. I lifted the rear flange and supported it so I could unlatch the top. I used two golf clubs, one to depress the safety button and the other to unlatch the top. got in and put the key in the ignition and everything came back to life. What a pain in the butt! why didn't the outside key entry work. any Ideas?
Tom

 

[Lespauldude]

From what I recall, you need to push the door in as you are turning the key. It takes a bit of manipulation.

 

[Steve-Indy]

If you have not gained access yet...just call me ... ... ....

 

[agdetail]

The fob will not work until you open the door.

Keep the car unlock before you disconnect the battery and when you reconnect, just open the door normally and you will see all the dials light up. That's when the fob will work. Could leave the windows open next time

If all fails the key is supposetobe a fail safe since its mechanical and the door should pop open

 

[supersnake]

They go into Sleep mode, All you had to do is push down on the outside door handle like you normally do and the car comes to life. Unless your battery is dead of course.

 

[tomscorvette]

I did try pushing down on the door handle but nothing happened. It still did not wake up. after turning the ignition on it came to life. I am going to try the key under the mirror with pressure at the door latch just to see if that works in case I have to access the car in the future...........thanks for the input!

 

[Steve-Indy]

Lube the lock first.

 

[ROCKET62]

...... I am going to try the key under the mirror with pressure at the door latch just to see if that works in case I have to access the car in the future...........thanks for the input!

You're going to really peeved that you spent all that time undoing the top when it works. BTW - turning the key - even with putting pressure on the door to hold it in is not a very comforting feel as it does take a lot of pressure - almost like your going to break the key to get it to open.

 

[cash84]

You're going to really peeved that you spent all that time undoing the top when it works. BTW - turning the key - even with putting pressure on the door to hold it in is not a very comforting feel as it does take a lot of pressure - almost like your going to break the key to get it to open.

Agree, the key is like a door handle. Once the key is turned, it will pop the door open. I thought I was gonna snap my key but it didn't.

 

[Tom Sessions]

Once the car has gone to "sleep" it wont do anything untill it sees the key being turned in the ignition. They changed this on the latter cars. The fob would wake the car up when pressing unlock. I would also roll the windows down just a bit since the smart glass does not work in sleep mode. And yes it does feel like your going to brake something when using the key under the door.