Dead block heater!

[Gearjam'r]

Hi guys I have a 2011 c/c DRW 4x4 and noticed last night and this morning that my block heater is not working.
Does anyone know where the fuse/relay is so I can check it?
Any other info or help would be great.
Thanks, Blake

 

[rscurtis]

AFAIK, the block heater is only fused at your breaker panel. I would check to make sure it didn't trip a GFI (which you should be using), or that you don't have a problem with your extension cord.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Check your connection where the cord meets the block heater also. As rscurtis mentioned, a gfci can be touchy if a block heater that is in marginal condition gets plugged in. You should be able to hear it start to sizzle in 10 seconds or less after plugging it in.

 

[Gearjam'r]

Thanks guys for the help.
The two places that I hook up at (work an home) is not a GFI.
I also just read NOT to run the truck plug'd in. Well I started it tue night then went and unplugged it when leaving work.
I did not know that was a NO-NO.
Could I have burnt up a cord or the heater it self or ????
Thanks, Blake

 

[DonFitzwater]

I've been doing it for years with no issues. I'm sure it depends on the temps though. You have to remember that the heater element isn't thermostatically controlled. It's just on. More heat created by the engine will shorten the life, but for me, it's just a consumable part.

Ohm across the terminals of the two flat prongs on your cord. If it shows and open it's bad..............or if it's a dead short then it's also bad.

 

[Gearjam'r]

Thanks for your help. I'll check it out after work.

 

[Kirwin]

Many of us start the truck with the block heater plugged in. Only real risk is that you forget and drive off with the block heater cord still plugged in. This is a no-no and will significantly shorten the life of your block heater cord! #@$%! The electrical connection may also loosen over time where the cord attaches to the block heater at the freeze plug bore behind the oil filter. It's a simple ring that needs to be checked tight every so often. The heating elements are quite robust unless you plug one in with no coolant in the block; then you litterally have just seconds until it will burn out. K D

 

[Gearjam'r]

Thanks Kirwin for the info.
I'll check that ring and make sure it's tight.
Blake

 

[DavidC]

I believe (correct me if I am wrong) the heater is 750 watts. Therefore ohming across the 2 terminals at the plug should be right around 20 ohms if the element and wiring is good.

Dave

 

[mwilson]

You are correct, they are 750 watt.

I just installed a 1000 watt tank style heater on Gizmo this morning, I am expecting great things when that is plugged in.....

Mike.

 

[JR]

You are correct, they are 750 watt.

I just installed a 1000 watt tank style heater on Gizmo this morning, I am expecting great things when that is plugged in.....

Mike.

Was it a Frost Heater by chance? We have one on our little Beetle, and it is quite impressive. I keep meaning to grab the IR gun when I go out to start it in the am, but have not got around to it yet. I can tell you even in subzero weather that little sucker is putting out what I call luke warm air at the turn of the key
It amazes me they put such a big heater on such a little engine, it's more than suffiecient!

 

[mwilson]

Was it a Frost Heater by chance? We have one on our little Beetle, and it is quite impressive. I keep meaning to grab the IR gun when I go out to start it in the am, but have not got around to it yet. I can tell you even in subzero weather that little sucker is putting out what I call luke warm air at the turn of the key
It amazes me they put such a big heater on such a little engine, it's more than suffiecient!

Yes, it is a Frost heater. I ordered it mid-December and received a notice from Frost that they were out of the Zero Start tank heaters needed to make up the kit. Some tank heaters came in so I got my kit first part of January. I checked the website yesterday and now they show mid-February before they will have any more.

It's all plugged in out here in the driveway and the timer is set for 2:00am. I'm anxious to see how warm the engine is when it's time to touch it off at 5:45am.

The little bugger starts just fine anyways, just tired of driving the first 10-15 miles with very little interior heat. Getting soft in my old age.....

Mike.

 

[Kirwin]

Pictures... This tread is worthless without pictures!!!!! How and where does it install?

 

[mwilson]

Pictures... This tread is worthless without pictures!!!!! How and where does it install?

The VW heater???

Mike.

 

[Kirwin]

Oh! Sorry. I though he had upgraded the heater on his truck. Ken Irwin

 

[crispyboy]

I had a Zero Start heater on our old VW Jetta. The kit came with some extra preformed pieces of heater hose which installed on the existing hoses (5/8") on the side of the engine. It was one of those projects where your hands/knuckles came out bloody.... a real treat. It did work as advertised which helped a lot with thawing out a frozen windshield in the morning. If I recall by heating the water it would slowly circulate thru the engine/heater core. I think the instructions were specific on where it should be installed but that was many years ago when I installed it.

 

[mwilson]

kirwin

Naw, we just drifted off the subject a little......

I think what prompted me to bring the Frost Heater up was thinking about the Cummins heater being 750 watt.

By the way the temp gauge on the Jetta this morning was at 170 degrees before I started the engine, that's a nice!!!!!:-laf

Mike.

 

[Powder Extreme]

My Audi and my Chevy Cruze diesels both have an auxiliary electric heater built into the HVAC system, they will blow warm air literally within a minute after starting a completely cold engine. I don't understand why Ram won't install what has to be a relatively cheap addition on a $68,000 truck, yet I can get it on a $25,000 car.

Oh well, can't have everything!

 

[mwilson]

I had a Zero Start heater on our old VW Jetta. The kit came with some extra preformed pieces of heater hose which installed on the existing hoses (5/8") on the side of the engine. It was one of those projects where your hands/knuckles came out bloody.... a real treat. It did work as advertised which helped a lot with thawing out a frozen windshield in the morning. If I recall by heating the water it would slowly circulate thru the engine/heater core. I think the instructions were specific on where it should be installed but that was many years ago when I installed it.

That is the one. I bled a little, these big fat hands took a beating.

Mike.

 

[PMcCall]

deleleted do to double post