1st cold start - is this normal

[ilovetrains]

Last night I did my first cold start, air temp about 40. Turned the key, waited for the tornado light to go out, she started, no problem. What was weird was I turned the headlights on, while it idling. They came on normal, nice and bright, then all lights dimmed. they would erratically come back to bright, but then dim again. all lights, inside the cab, everything. This was not connected to engine speed, and the engien sound/speed did not change. Normal?

 

[JFaughn]

Thats the draw from the air heaters they keep cycling for a while , even after start up.

 

[lil red cummins]

just keep an eye on the volt gauge to know when the grid heaters are cycling. it will stay around 12 (alternator is not charging at this time) until they are done. the heaters will either stop cycling on time (depending on temp) or once you get over 20 MPH.



jim

 

[CLAYTON]

Yup it's the good old grid heaters cycling on and off. It'll stop cycling after a couple of minutes or after you hit 18mph.

 

[ilovetrains]

thanks guys. I could tell is was something other than the altenator being cold, or just engine speed. I appreciate the fast response.