Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) block heater not working?

[ebrooker]

I don't think my block heater is working. This morning my truck had been plugged in all night and it had trouble starting. The temperature dropped down to 16 degrees and when I started it, the truck died a couple of times. Is there a way to check if it is working and does it have a fuse that may have blown?



Thanks

Eric

 

[rjones]

Originally posted by ebrooker

I don't think my block heater is working. This morning my truck had been plugged in all night and it had trouble starting. The temperature dropped down to 16 degrees and when I started it, the truck died a couple of times. Is there a way to check if it is working and does it have a fuse that may have blown?



Thanks

Eric [/QU





There is no fuse that I'm aware of. But I know this sound stupid,but just confirm that you are getting power threw the ext cord... . other than that in the morning open the hood and feel the coolant lines they should feel warm not hot... If that all fails then I think you will need a new block heater... Rick

 

[JWRowe]

block heater installation

Just finished installing a new block heater. Straight forward process and got almost four gallons of coolant out of radiator drain alone. Removed radiator cap and foreward heater hose to assist draining.

Heating element was corroded and broken/seperated on the rear leg of the element. It also appears to have melted a copper color material down from the damaged area. Copper clad?

Now the interesting part. The replacement is a Zerostart brand element of 750 watts and identical to the factory unit in every respect except the power cord. The ONLY difference between the units is the printing on the face of the units. They even have the same patent number. It appears to me that DC buys them from Zerostart.

The Zerostart part number is 3500030. The power cord has a 90 degree bend in the soft rubber plug where the factory unit was straight and hard rubber.

DC wanted about $100 for the heating element, cord and

o-ring. All seperate purchase. The Zerostart came with all three as a kit and the cost was $54. 55 plus tax.

Hope this can help someone else.



Regards, John

 

[JohnE]

Block heater is probably a Cummins supplied item. Cummins/Fleetguard switches between Phillips & Temro (Zerostart) and Kim Hotstart.



Start with the powercord for a failure point.



I use my block heater very little. Got spoiled by Espar.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

Block Heater

I replaced my block heater earlier this year. The cord was intermittent where the plug attaches. Probably from not being careful when I unplugged it. Straight forward replacement. Cummins part.