'03 block heater assy

[adsharpe]

Would someone with the manual or experience tell me about the block heater cable. Is it a modular plug attachment to the heater element or is it a 2 piece bolt on with polarity?



Mine is totally screwed up and blows the main breaker in the house. My dealer _ Wilson Dodge, Jackson MS - says checks ok. they are a 5 star dealer, ya know. One star for each increment of stupidity and deception. They also know how to install the wrong oil in differential. They don't give me a receipt for service because they know I will contact DC and roast their butt when they sabotage my truck.



Anyway, I wanted to know the hookup before I remove it. I don't really need it where I operate but would like to know why it screws up.



Could the element possibly be misaligned and be contacting the block?



I'm too cheap to buy the manual. And, my mechanical skills are about nonexistent.



Thanks!

 

[SRadke]

The elements are insulated so it shouldn't matter if touches the block. I don't even think it could without leaking. The plug is simply two prongs with a ground that contacts the outside of the socket, nothing special and not polarity specific. You might try a diffrent outlet in the house or a heavier cord, these heaters are 750 watts so they pull some juice.



-Scott

 

[rbattelle]

Originally posted by adsharpe

they are a 5 star dealer, ya know. One star for each increment of stupidity and deception.

:-laf Good one.



If it's blowing a 20 amp breaker and there's nothing else on that line eating up current, I'd bet 10:1 you've got a bad (shorted) block heater. If that stinky dealer won't fix it, just take it elsewhere. Or, if you're willing to shell out a ton of cash, take it to the nearest Cummins shop. You could do it yourself... I don't think it's a difficult job (although I've never done it).

 

[nickleinonen]

if you put the block heater on a GFCI circuit, it will pop breakers [and GFI outlets].



grab a meter and measure the resistance of the heater and see what you get. i just went out and measured mine and i got 20. 1 ohm between the power and common, and open circuit between the power and ground, and common and ground.