2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission block heater question

[MickeysCummins]

How can i tell if the block heater is working with out taking it out of the block. . the past 2 nights i dont think it has been and i need to figure out a way to check it. .





My electric cord is fine, and its not tripping the outlet...

 

[VicR]

I can usually hear mine making a sound when I first plug it in. Just a faint click as it comes on.



-Vic

 

[RBratby]

when i plug mine in i can hear it. its kinda of a crackling noise.

 

[C. Harlan]

The first way to tell, is if you have to wait the 20 or so seconds when you first turn the key, rather than just 2 or 3 when the light goes off, your block heater is not working.



The second way, is if it is quiet, when you plug in the cord, you should hear the water start sizzling inside the block.



the third way (which I learned by accident), is get the plug wet, stand outside barefoot, in a puddle such as in rain, plug it in, and see if you feel a little tingle in your hand. If you do, It works! I am sure someone else will chime in with other ideas and tips, but you should not have to wait for the manifold heaters to cycle on when you first start up the motor. Once you start it, of course they will cycle for a few minutes, or until you go over 20 mph. Good luck!



-Chris-

 

[tp0d]

The heater is like a standard water heater element, but smaller. . I`m not sure of the resistance value (ohms), but if I remember tomorrow, I`ll slap the ohm-meter on mine and get back to ya. . Prolly something between 20 and 100 ohms I`d guess though. . if yours has no reading, or something higher than 1000ohms, it mebe needs replaced.



-jerry

 

[Beast2B]

My heat (a little, but some) is available immediately as well as the wait to start light going out immediately.

 

[av8r]

Cord

The OEM block heater has a replaceable cord available from your friendly neighborhood Dodge dealer. I had to replace mine a couple of years ago. After years of being pinched in the fender/hood, the conductors finally broke. :-laf

 

[Bloomy]

I tend to like the less intelligent method. Touch it!! If it is hot it is working. It is pretty hot so try not to burn your finger. When I replaced mine it was easier to tell based on how hot it got. You can also listen to the sizzling, but what fun is that?



Thomas

 

[QRTRHRS]

If the heater is working, you should be able to start without preheating the grid with the temps in the low 30's. If you just need the heating element, you can need not go to Dodge for one. Pick one up at NAPA or your local tractor dealer or anywhere. Since your going to loose alot of coolant, maybe it's a good time to replace it? Remove the oil filter for better access too. Apply some of that grease (forget the name) to the connection since the tendency to corrode there is what kills alot of them.



While were' on the topic, you might want to go with a different type of cord. For three years or so, I have one of the setups with the little trap door like you see on a rig. Just hold the door open and plug in. No loose cord to mess with. If you want real fancy, get one like the emergency vehicles use. When you key the switch, it spits out the plug so you don't even have to do that.

 

[Donn]

You can use a inline ac ammeter and read the amout of amps you are drawing through the cord.

 

[GeneA]

C. Harlan, you must be a true redneck!

 

[ALehman]

haha

Hey pat my bad, me and big will unplugged your truck. lol :-laf

 

[WestTN]

If memory serves, the block heater is 375 watts. That would be about 1/3 of an ohm resistance.

 

[MickeysCummins]

thanks everyone i figured it out my cord is pinched... does anyone no where the cheapest place to buy one from is????

 

[RBratby]

the grease that QRTRHRS is talking about is dielectric grease.

 

[Alphacowboy]

mine was getting current to the heater, but found out it was the neutral that was not working, I just cut off the end of the cord and put a $1 new end on it from the local hardware store, works like a champ now!

 

[tp0d]

just for reference, the block heater ohm value should be right around 18-20ohms. So at 120v, amperage would be 6. 6a and wattage would be just below 800watts.



this is what mine measured, yers may be diff...



-j

 

[LOtero]

spits it out when you turn the key huh? i betcha i can make that happen, i like that idea i almost forgot again this morning! :--) what i was going to do was hard mount the cord to the bumper using one of those cheap battery post terminal clamps you get at auto zone, lube the contacts on the plug and wrap my extension cord around the tree so if i do forget again it will unplug without hurting anything.

 

[C. Harlan]

GeneA-



When I was referring to barefoot, I learned one night after a rodeo and I had on my leather sole boots, which is essentially the same as being barefoot, and it did kinda tingle. . hehe, that feels cool!



I work for the utility company, so 110 volts is kiddie juice to me. we work around 34,500 volts. . Anything over 240 is no good. Then again, its Amps, not volts that getcha!



I have been accused of being a redneck, but I keep it hidden behind a clean cut Cowboy image, and you would never know it by looking at me.



Glad you found the probby with the heater!!



-Chris-

 

[Will24]

ALehman... sssshhh, you weren't supposed to tell him!



-Will