Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Block Heater

[clinebarger]

Ordered a block heater from dodge,and what they sent me takes place of the freeze plug. My 97 is threaded in by the oil filter. Looked at a buddys 96 and its in place of a freeze plug. I thouht 96 and 97 engines were the same? Does anyone know whats going on? great site ,thanks! Anyone know were i can find the right block heater. Its a late 97 engine (aug 97)if that has anything to do with it.

 

[MHalloran]

How do you know your heater has gone bad? Try this first: take the plug on the end of the cord and cut it off (with about 2" of wire with it). Pick up a new decent quality plug end and splice it on. Try it now. I had the same problem with mine (heater not working). The wire broke inside the insulation. Normal use I guess. Mine's a 96, did this 2 years ago & its been fine since. Give it a shot. Good luck! Mike

 

[MHalloran]

Dude I re-read your post again. Are you talking about replacing the heat element, or installing one thats not already there? These engines are supposed to come from the dealer with a block heater standard. Theres one there already (with the cord), right?

 

[clinebarger]

already replaced the entire cord still no heat. my truck does have a heater its just screwed in to the block,all the other 12 valves i have seen it takes place of a freeze plug and that is what dodge sent me. may need to go to cummins?Thanks for the reply.

 

[tp0d]

If you have a multimeter available, test the two prongs on the cord for ohms. You should get between 18 and 24 ohms. This is an 800w 120v element. If you get no reading from it, take off the cord and check the element directly. I've heard of more cords failing than elements. The stock cord isnt all that great. Changing the element can be a bear too cus of all that coolant, and they can be a problem to purge of air sometimes. .



good luck



-j

 

[DEickhoff]

I got a replacement heater and cord for about $100 from the dealer. You can get them cheaper from Cummins directly. On my 98 the part number was 5003619AA and the cord was 4798889. Mine turned out to be a bad cord so now I have a complete replacement if I ever need it. Cut about 4 inches off the old cord and took a look at them. The copper was black in spots almost looked like it got hot.



dawna

 

[ABorchard]

You are correct. On pre '97 the heater has a allan head screw in the middle that expands the the heater into the hole in the block. '97 and later is threaded in.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

A few years ago I upgraded the OEM heater to a 1000 watt Kim Hotstart freeze plug heater. It uses the same location as the OEM heater. Easy to install. Also has a lifetime warranty on the electrical cord. All it took was an email to them and I had a new cord on the mailbox in 4 days. I think I paid $65. This was 7-8 years ago.



Link: http://www.kimhotstart.com/

 

[clinebarger]

got the right heater from cummins southern plains and now have heat. thanks for the help.