Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Block heater fuse?

[ESorensen]

Last winter I always plugged in my truck below 40F. This year, every time I've tried, it will blow a fuse in the garage. This didn't happen before. Is there a fuse, or something that I can check to see if it still works? Any ideas as to what this could be?

 

[Black-Smoker]

Are you trying to plug it into a GFCI outlet. If so the slightest bit of moisture will cause it to trip.

 

[ESorensen]

Thanks for the input. I'll have to figure out another outlet as most in my garage are of the GFCI type.

 

[bmoeller]

Could be moisture, but also could be the cord may have rubbed through somewhere.

 

[Souders]

Fuse location

Is there a fuse in this block heater circuit ?. I looked in my service manual for a 99 and did not find one . My heater stopped working a few weeks after I changed the antifreeze. I have not repaired it due to not wanting to loose the new antifreeze. Sure would be great if only a fuse.

 

[ESorensen]

The extension cord that I use is fine and of a heavy gauge with an led at the power end. I'm not sue if there is a way to check continuity at the block heater itself to see if the element has broken or not. I would think that this would also be a fairly easy to replace item and hopefully not to expensive as not not interfere with bomb aquisition.

 

[Souders]

resistance

I had another owner ohm his block heater that works and the resistance was 200 ohms.

 

[ESorensen]

OK Guys, thanks for the help. It ended up being the GCFI outlet. I will be removing it from service shortly. As for the block heater itself, it works well when plugged into a non-GCFI outlet. Thanks again.