2004 DODGE VIPER overheating

Trunk Ajar Light
This light indicates that the trunk is not latched.
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
A red LED light on the Coolant Temperature
gauge will illuminate to warn of an overheated
engine coolant condition.
Low Oil Pressure Light
A red LED light on the Oil Pressure gauge will
illuminate to indicate low engine oil pressure. The
light should come on briefly as a bulb check when the
engine is first started. If the light stays on or comes on
while driving, stop the vehicle and shut off the engine.
DO NOT operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:This light does not indicate how much oil is in
the engine. The engine oil level must be checked under
the hood.
Charge System Light
A red LED light on the Voltage gauge will illumi-
nate when there is a charging system malfunction
or a possible accessory drive belt failure.
CAUTION!
The accessory belt also drives the water pump.
Operating the vehicle with a failed belt can cause
engine overheating and possible severe engine dam-
age.
Fog Light ON Indicator
This light indicates that the fog lights are on.
78 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is on the top of the steering
column, just behind the steering wheel. Depress
the flasher button and all front and rear directional
signals will flash. Depress the flasher button again to turn
the flashers off.Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed.
NOTE:With extended use, the flasher may run down
your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways ÐSlow down and use the highest
gear possible.
²In city traffic ÐWhile stopped, put the transmission
in neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
132 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

²Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
²Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
CAUTION!
Driving your Viper through deep puddles at speeds
over 5 mph, may cause water to be ingested into the
engine. This can cause severe engine damage.
²Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
²Keep tires properly inflated.
²Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and First gear. Usually the least accelerator pedal pres-
sure to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission/axle overheating and fail-
ure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h).
138 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your ex-
haust system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in
areas where your exhaust system can contact any-
thing that can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune up to manufacturers specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
²Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
²Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
²Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected for prolonged period.
Ignition Wiring System and Ignition Timing
The ignition cables should be kept clean and properly
connected. Terminals should be fully seated. Do not
remove the nipple assemblies from the coil towers unless
the nipples are damaged or cable testing shows high
resistance or broken insulation. Refer to the Service
154 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant or
steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood, don't open the hood
until the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to
open a cooling system pressure cap when the radia-
tor is hot.
Inspection
Coolant protection checks should be made every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check the front of the radiator for any accumu-
lation of bugs, leaves, etc.Check the coolant bottle tubing for condition and tight-
ness of connection at reserve tank and radiator. Inspect
the entire system for leaks.
NOTE:Check the front of the radiator for debris (leaves,
paper, etc.) regularly. A build up of such material could
lead to engine overheating.
Do not remove the cooling system pressure cap when the
cooling system is hot.
Cooling System Ð Drain, Flush and Refill
The cooling system should be drained, flushed and
refilled at the intervals shown on the Maintenance Sched-
ules.
If the solution is dirty and contains a considerable
amount of sediment, clean and flush with a reliable
cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to
remove all deposits and chemicals. Discard old antifreeze
solution according to recommended procedure.
166 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Convertible Top......................... 178
Convertible Top Maintenance............... 178
Cooling System......................... 166
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 168
Coolant Capacity...................... 195
Coolant Level......................... 169
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 167
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 166
Inspection........................... 166
Points to Remember.................... 170
Pressure Cap......................... 168
Rubber and Plastic Components............ 170
Selection of Coolant.................... 167
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 155
Customer Assistance..................... 216
Dealer Service.......................... 147
Defroster, Windshield...................... 48
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.................. 65Door Locks............................. 13
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 15
Doors................................. 13
Drive Belts............................ 152
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 137
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 55
Emergency, In Case of
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 132
Jump Starting......................... 134
Overheating.......................... 132
Towing............................. 139
Emission Control System Maintenance......146,200
Engine
Break-In Recommendations................ 46
Cooling.............................. 78
Oil ..............................148,195
Oil Disposal.......................... 151
228 INDEX

Oil Filter............................ 152
Oil Selection.......................... 150
Overheating........................... 78
Exhaust Gas Caution...................47,165
Exhaust System......................... 165
Exterior Lights.......................... 186
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 155
Flashers
Hazard Warning........................ 75
Fluid Capacities......................195,196
Fluid Leaks............................. 48
Fluid Level Checks
Capacities........................... 195
Manual Transmission................... 175
Power Steering........................ 161
Fog Lights.........................62,64,78
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 132Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 138
Fuel................................. 127
Adding............................. 129
Gauge............................... 81
Octane Rating........................ 127
Tank Capacity........................ 195
Fuses................................ 180
GasCap .............................. 129
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends................ 128
Gauges................................ 80
Coolant Temperature..................78,80
Fuel................................ 81
Oil Pressure........................... 80
Tachometer........................... 80
Voltmeter............................ 81
Gear Ratios............................ 196
Glass Cleaning.......................... 178
Ground Clearance....................... 126
INDEX 229
10

Schedule9B9.......................... 203
Malfunction Indicator Light..............76,146
Manual, Service......................... 220
Manual Transmission..................... 100
Master Cylinder......................... 174
Message Center.......................... 75
Mirrors................................ 55
Electric Remote........................ 55
Outside.............................. 56
Rearview............................. 55
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 7
Mopar Parts.........................147,219
Multi-Function Control Lever................ 61
Occupant Restraints....................... 26
Oil, Engine.........................148,195
Capacity............................ 195
Checking............................ 148
Disposal............................ 151Filter............................... 152
Identification Logo..................... 150
Materials Added to..................... 151
Pressure Gauge........................ 80
Quality............................. 150
Recommendation...................... 150
Synthetic............................ 151
Oil Filter, Selection....................... 152
Onboard Diagnostic System..............145,146
Operator Manuals......................... 4
Overheating, Engine...................... 132
Owner's Manual.......................4,220
Paint Care............................. 177
Parking Brake.......................... 102
Parking On Hill......................... 103
Passing Light........................... 65
PCV Valve............................ 155
Pedals, Adjustable........................ 66
232 INDEX