Dead battery question

[Bob K]

I decided to take the RT/10 out for it's first spin of the spring. It has been connected to a battery tender for the past 2 or 3 months and has not been started during that time. I put the key in, turned it and nothing - totally dead. I tried jump starting it with both my GTS and my pickup but no go. I get a "tick-a-te-tick-a-te......" but it won't even turn over. I'm thinking I should be able to jump start it even if the battery is totally dead - right? Could the security system be messing with me? When I turn the key to the first position I get the alarm light. I turn it off with the key fob but it still won't turn over. I tried re-programing the key fob by pressing both buttons and I tried first arming and then disarming the system, but all with the same results. What am I missing here? It's such a pain in the a## to change the battery but it looks like that is what I need to do.
Bob K

 

[Bob K]

Bump

 

[HP]

2 possibilities - first the battery connections may be corroded - not allowing
your battery to charge or assist in jump starting - second could be your battery has
major internal problems and needs to be replaced.
A less likely problem would be a bad connection at the other end of the
battery cable(starter or ground bolt).
Take your battery to some place like Auto Zone and have it checked out.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Went through SAME sequence once with 96 RT/10 at the 2 yr. point...even the AAA flat bed couldn't jump it initially,though after 45 min. of charging via the flatbed, it started...battery had a short...changed to Sears Die-hard Gold Series (I use 75 series in Vipers NOT 78 for fit) for $80.00....no trouble since. Guess it could be a bigger problem...maybe partial separation of cable at battery end...worth checking...good luck.

 

[ceieio]

Once the plates let go there is no joy to be found... can either short or open up. If the battery won't take a charge or a jump from a rig with a high output alternator then it is likely time to chuck it. I lost two this winter that way (both in tractors though... need to put tenders on them as well, but that won't guarantee battery-immortality).

 

[Yves]

No biggie. This happened to me last week.
2 options :

- Charge it. Will take up to 10 hours. Connect the positive to the terminal under the hood. The negative goes to a grounded part on the engine. Switch off your alarm system before you try to fire it up. (Automatically seems to arm - I don't know why). Should work perfectly.
- Jump start it. Connect to the battery of a heavy rig. After connecting to the battery of the other car, let it sit for 10 minutes (the other car's engine runs). Then you try to start the Viper. While doing so, the other car revs its engine (more amps). Should also work. I preferred to charge though.

Good luck !

 

[Steve-Indy]

Well, Bob....what did you find/fix ???

 

[GG]

Same thing happened to me 2 years ago. I had purchased a new Mopar 770 battery only 6 months earlier. Had battery tender on it as well, finally pulled the battery & found it had a bad cell. Dealer gave me a replacement no questions, no problems since.

 

[Bob K]

What did I do? Nothing!
I found myself busy with other things and left it sit with a new battery tender connected. I haven't tried it again but don't expect it to start. I will take out the battery next weekend and get it checked. It probably needs to be replaced.
Thanks for all your input!
Bob K

 

[Steve-Indy]

Thanks, Bob...maybe the tender will do it...but replacement
won't take long if need be.