Ever lock yourself In the car?

[okloneranger]

It happened to me today. I've had a battery tender plus connected under the hood. Green light on, disconnect tender, start up, back out of garage and shut off so I can help get Christmas decorations out. That done, get back in to go for a ride, strap in, shut door, insert key, turn key and nothing. Well, better get out to open hood and take a look. Door won't open. Turn key again, nothing, turn off and hear click-click-click which keeps going till key turned to on position, then it stops. Turn key to any other position and hear click-click-click. There is an emergency exit lever on each door that will alow you to exit. I don't remember what I did that finally stopped the clicking, figure the battery has gone south, however, pushed it back into garage and hooked battery tender back up. Three hours later-battery tender plus is showing green light-but-doors still won't open. I don't understand. Can anyone explain to me what is going on? Battery is probably original to car, it is Mopar-no gripe here concerning battery life. I just don't know what the clicking was or why the tender is showing green when it appears the battery is dead.

 

[RapidTransit]

8 years from the battery is asking alot, probably dead...had the same thing happen with my Harley, say's good(green)but won't turn it over..go figure..New battery fixed it.

 

[SHELBYVIPER]

Had the same issue with my 99. Replaced the original Mopar battery. No issues since.

 

[DLTARNU]

Replace the battery.

 

[okloneranger]

When we pushed it back into the garage we did it by turning the tires by hand. I wasn't sure if there was anyplace on the rear of the car that was a no-no for applying that much pushing force. Anyone knowledgeable there? How about pushing it backwards from the front, where on earth do you push there?

 

[okloneranger]

Oh, by the way, I left the battery tender plus attatched (not sure why)and today it has the green light lit. Battery is still DOA.

 

[Warfang]

Let me be the forth person to say this: REPLACE THE BATTERY.

 

[Nobody]

Battery is sulfated. they do that over time, or if you let them go completely dead in a much much shorter time...either way as others have said it is toast.hence giving false voltage readings and offgassing a bunch of corrosive gases and highly flammable hydrogen gas when you try to charge it...time to replace...oh yeah don't make any spark's ..I had one blow up trying to charge....very ugly

 

[okloneranger]

Thanks,charger disconnected, knew the battery was toast-didn't consider gases. I thought about keeping it on it till new battery replacement-guess that is a non issue. What about safe places on the Viper body to push from both front and rear?

 

[Limit]

Get new battery!

 

[motor602]

ive never had any pushing issues on my RT, especially when my battery died. Had four valet guys pushing me down the street with no issues. GTS im not 100% but Im sure your ok.

 

[Ratical2]

The is voltage and then there is voltage under load.
Wow, 8 years! The battery has given up the ghost and you have definitely gotten your moneys worth out of it.

 

[hemihead]

The is voltage and then there is voltage under load.
Wow, 8 years! The battery has given up the ghost and you have definitely gotten your moneys worth out of it.

Especially giving up the gost in the driveway, that would never happen to me.
In the spirit of the season, give thanks.

 

[okloneranger]

Not to beat a dead horse (replaceing battery), but I'm still curious as to what the "clicking" sound was when the battery quit. Anyone know what that was? Thanks for the help and info!

 

[Nobody]

Starter solenoid (it's a relay) edit: opps reread your post key was in off postion.....still sounds like a relay tho

 

[okloneranger]

Thanks; At least if only a relay is messed up the repair expense will be relatively light. Hard to say why it kept fireing, but it didn't go for long so hopefully a battery will be all that's needed. Your imput is appreciated.

 

[Warfang]

What about safe places on the Viper body to push from both front and rear?

I hear the side view mirrors provide good grip when pushing.

Seriously though, it's a good question. My guess is if you can get your windows down (if you have windows) I would push by the A-Pillar either way. Any other suggestions?

 

[white out]

Family Guy?

Nick

 

[steel snake]

Call the Tender people. Same thing happened to me; green light, batt ng. They had an explanation, don't recall what. Call 'em.

 

[okloneranger]

Thanks, Snake. Such a simple and logical thing to do.(I should have thought of it)

 

[Skunk Works]

Probably had a dead cell in it, or the cold cranking amps were shot. I don't have a Viper yet, but in my truck it died on me. Jumped it off, took it to the parts store, they hooked up a battery reader and it said it was fine... changed a setting on his diagnostic tool and it showed a dead cell.

Battery was charged, but would not allow it to kick over. Sounds like the battery tender was saying it was charged, and it could have been, but may be an issue similar to what I had.

Just a shot. Battery tender may be ok, but the battery was still bad.

 

[Phun70]

Starter solenoid (it's a relay) edit: opps reread your post key was in off postion.....still sounds like a relay tho

Relays were clicking trying to energize. Due to low volts/amps all they could do was give a halfhearted click. Hope this helps.