Jim Sullivan
Viper Owner
Driving along and up pops "Alarm Set" in the Info Center. Car runs fine until I shut it off. The car then won't start until I unlock the unlocked doors with the FOB. Can I fix this or shut down the alarm system ?
Gen 1 Alarm Problem.
- Thread starter Jim Sullivan
- Start date
01sapphirebob
Enthusiast
Maybe the battery in the fob is going bad?
Dr. Pepper
Enthusiast
Jim: not sure if you are still around, but my 94 RT10 recently did something similar. First time it happened, I was driving home from a short 10 mile trip and the alarm light and the emergency flashers came on and stayed on for 5 minutes till I got home. Turned the car off and it started right up with no light on. The next time I drove it on a 30 mile ride and the alarm light came on at about the same place just before I got home (no hazard light flashing this time- just the dash light). Got home, turned the car off and restarted it -no dash light and all was normal. I thought maybe there was some type of electrical or alien interference in that one area???????????? Next time I drove it down the road past this area and nothing happened. I give up.................
Last edited:
Magicboy2
Enthusiast
Mine was acting up like this, eventually it would refuse to start even after unlocking with the FOB. Ended up needing a new control unit, that was 10 years ago and haven't had a problem since.
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS:
It has been my experience that a low battery initiates most of the common Gen I alarm problems...such as a blinking light on the dash, inadvertent shut down, etc. In my own case, our '95 has demonstrated most of these problems...mostly due to long periods of inactivity...especially if it needed to be jump started.
Another contributing situation seems to occur when cruising in a high gear at legal speeds with a stock differential...i.e. 70 mph in 6th gear at about 1350 rpm in our cars. In this circumstance, the alternator cannot catch up with its charging duties on a 20-30 mile trip in a Viper with a battery that is marginal. Of course, additional electrical draws such as headlights, fog lights, fan, etc. make matters worse (as would an underdrive pulley). An 8 year old battery that is kept on a float charger can start just fine, but leave one with a dead Viper 30 miles down the road upon attempted restart.
Finally, as to EMI...I don't know. I have seen nearby TV towers incapacitate the key fob communication on Gen II Vipers (also high voltage lines close to a late model Cadillac).
Others may agree or disagree with above, but maintaining 2 Gen I's and 3 Gen II's over 20 years does give one a few casual insights.
It has been my experience that a low battery initiates most of the common Gen I alarm problems...such as a blinking light on the dash, inadvertent shut down, etc. In my own case, our '95 has demonstrated most of these problems...mostly due to long periods of inactivity...especially if it needed to be jump started.
Another contributing situation seems to occur when cruising in a high gear at legal speeds with a stock differential...i.e. 70 mph in 6th gear at about 1350 rpm in our cars. In this circumstance, the alternator cannot catch up with its charging duties on a 20-30 mile trip in a Viper with a battery that is marginal. Of course, additional electrical draws such as headlights, fog lights, fan, etc. make matters worse (as would an underdrive pulley). An 8 year old battery that is kept on a float charger can start just fine, but leave one with a dead Viper 30 miles down the road upon attempted restart.
Finally, as to EMI...I don't know. I have seen nearby TV towers incapacitate the key fob communication on Gen II Vipers (also high voltage lines close to a late model Cadillac).
Others may agree or disagree with above, but maintaining 2 Gen I's and 3 Gen II's over 20 years does give one a few casual insights.
Dr. Pepper
Enthusiast
My battery has a full charge but I'll keep that in mind if I continue to have issues. Hope I don't need a new control unit. Hopefully it won't do it again.................thanks for your suggestions.
In a Gen I, it is easy to disable system IF car currently starts. And, no...it won't be posted here.
Bogey
Enthusiast
Steve I need your expertise. I have a Gen one Viper since 1996. I’m having an on again off again issue with the alarm system. I have a key fob that can enable and disable the alarm. The trouble I’m having is that once in awhile the car won’t start when I disable the alarm. After repeated attempts to enable and disable the alarm it finally starts up. I know it’s the alarm system causing the car not to start. Any help would be much appreciated.
Hi, Bogey...just give me a call. 317-402-9013. A Gen I alarm can be disabled.
Good to speak with you, Sir !!
Bogey
Enthusiast
Thank you Steve for your valuable advice on my alarm. You are truly a gentleman and a scholar when it comes to Dodge Vipers.
Thank you Steve! My fob battery died and my alarm went off when I was leaving dinner with my wife and other (non 2nd Gen) Viper owners tonight. I couldn't remember what to do on my Gen 2 GTS and wasn't having any luck finding anything online. I decided to text Steve since he was crazy enough to post his number and he called me back! One minute later my alarm was disabled and the car was running.
Good to speak with you, Sir !!
Jeremy_B
Enthusiast
Edited, I found your phone number.
jeffdai
Enthusiast
I think they are all starting to fail, i had to unhook mine about 2 years ago because it died and wouldnt let me start the car.
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