02 Viper Headlights and Speedo go dim when I hit the brakes

Woodydog

New member
Joined
Feb 19, 2004
Messages
67
Age
61
Location
Verona, WI
Hi, does anyone know what this could be? Everytime I apply the brakes my headlights and speedo go dim. The tach resets itself, like when you first start the sled up. Also, when stopping and sitting for a few seconds the rpms will go from 1500 to about 4000, then I hit the throttle and it will idle back down, could this be part of the problem also?
I have 9000 miles on and these are the first problems I've had, the lighting issue just started this weekend but the rpm thing started beginning of this season, about 7500 miles.
Thanks,
MJD
 
seem like alots of people got the same problem this years with that... make a little search i'm sure you will found something about it ...not sure but i think someone find a rubb wire close to the cdi box
 
Woodydog - I had the same issues with the headlights being dim and gauges cycling off when hitting the brakes and HI beam switch. Checked all wiring found nothing wrong. It is caused by low voltage to the gauge panel. The issue could be your stator. Since I replaced my stator I have had no issues with lights or gauges in 700 + miles.

As for the high idle - nature of the beast.

Craig
 
A bad smoothing cap can do the tach issues but I think they would both have to be bad. If it happens when you hit the brakes, you could have a short under the gas tank taking the voltage away.
 
I haven't checked wiring, but does anyone else have any ideas before I do?
Thanks for all of the help already!
 
i hade the same problem with my viper turend out to be the stator cost me 243$ for the stator check it first i have the spec if u would liek to check it
 
It is your stator. I had same issues also, just replaced my stator this weekend. Haven't ran it in the snow yet, but in the shop the gauges and light are fine again when I hit the brake or the high/low beam. Before changing it, my warmers also didn't work very well, and when they were turned up onto highest setting they caused the sled to bog badly in the mid-range. The huge demand from the warmers was causing the cdi to not work properly.

I also went through the harness under the motor, tank, and around the steering column, found nothing wrong with them. At least my harness is well protected now.
 
How do you check the stator? How difficult are they to change? Is the stator and the Rotor Assembly needed? The Viper still runs excellent.
 
i have a stator for $80 shipped. let me know if you want it. all you have to do is remove the recoil and pull the flywheel and then just unbolt the stator and sbolt in the new one
 
I just found that one of my smoothing condensers has a wire that is almost worn completely through. Could this be my entire problem or just a part of it?
Thanks Again!
 
Mine did the exact same thing 3years ago.It was indeed the stator plate.
I did an continuity test to diagnose it.
It will be your lead wire near the stator.
They are too light a wire for the load.
Mine was burnt and I just resoldered a new wire to it.
Still good after 2500mi.
Just cost my time.
Careful with bolts on the recoil drive plate,they're tough.
 
i have a smoothing condensors for $25 shipped if you want to put it in and see if it fixes it and if not then it's probably the stator
 


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