Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) block heater

[BIG C]

Plugged in last night in hopes of a better startup this morning. Temps were 15 degrees. Didnt do a thing. How do I check why Im not getting any heat from the block heater?? I can replace the cord without taking the heater out of the block correct??



Thanks,

Chad

 

[SRadke]

Follow the cord to where it attaches on the side of the block. There will be large round knurled nut ~1" dia. Remove that and the cord will pull right off. Test the two prongs in the center with an ohm meter and find out what/if you have resistance.



-Scott

 

[J Shocik]

I suspected the same thing with my truck. I cut off the plug & replaced it with a plug I got from Home Depot for less than $5. 00. Haven't had any trouble with it since. Hope this helps...

 

[DieselNasty]

Where do I get one of there block heaters? The Dodge dealership or Cummins?

 

[Red Stroke]

I got mine from auto value around $65, it was cheaper than dodge dealer ship, and the exact replacement.

 

[SRadke]

Cummins will ahve them too, much cheaper than the dealer.

 

[WDixon27]

i plugged mine in to see if it'd help my morning pop spit and smoke when taking off and it didn't seem to warm squat, i ohm'd it at the plug and it looked ok at 18 ohms, what's it supposed to be?

 

[SRadke]

18 ohms sounds right. That's 6. 6 amps and it would would slide you right in at the factory spec of 750 watts. How long did you leave it plugged in? What was the outside temp?



-Scott

 

[BIG C]

tested mine and nothing. Opened up the plug and the wires are shot. Screwed around enough with it to finally get continuity. Plugged it in overnight and nothing. I will stop in at cummins and grab a new one tonight.

 

[WDixon27]

all night and 40-50 degrees, ill do some testing when i get a chance and make sure it's drawing a current and not taking a crap when it's powered up, 18 sounded like a good number to me

18 ohms sounds right. That's 6. 6 amps and it would would slide you right in at the factory spec of 750 watts. How long did you leave it plugged in? What was the outside temp?



-Scott

 

[BigEasy]

How much heat are you guys getting? I get enough to greatly ease starting the Dodge, but in my Kenworth, I get 100 degree water temp. I'm not getting that kind of heat on the Dodge. Should I be?

 

[Champane Flight]

Not

Mine has never gotten very warm, but has eased starting a whole mess. I only plug in when temps drop to teens and below though. It will come off the peg after a couple of minutes of running plugged, unplugged it takes ten!

My engine grid heater does not kick on if I have her plugged in.



I would love to have a gas fired heater like on the old Cats. Around an hour on, and the engine would be at 160'... .



...

 

[SRadke]

I'm not getting that kind of heat on the Dodge. Should I be?

No. What you described is normal. I put a 1500 watt heater in my old 96 (as opposed to the stock 750 watt) and it would heat up to where the temp needle was off the peg in the am. The 750 watt stock unit wont do that.



-Scott

 

[HEMI®Dart]

No. What you described is normal. I put a 1500 watt heater in my old 96 (as opposed to the stock 750 watt) and it would heat up to where the temp needle was off the peg in the am. The 750 watt stock unit wont do that.



-Scott

I did the same thing Scott. I have a Kim Hotstart 1500 watt block heater. Installed in the same spot as the OEM heater. Cheaper than the OEM 750 Watt from Cummins or the dealer. Real heavy duty construction. No questions asked lifetime warranty on the cord. I emailed KIM Hotstart saying I needed a new cord, 3 days later it was in the mailbox. If I had to do it again, I might go with the 1000 watt model.



A strong buy.



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

 

[DJb]

I bought my 97 over 4 years ago and don't know if it has a stock heater or not but the temp needle comes off the peg very quickly after plugging it in for about an hour. The truck starts up just fine in high 30 degree weather without the heater but does better with it. Also, if it's in the garage where it's quiet and I wait about 30 seconds after plugging it in, I can hear it sizzle. Kinda lets me know it's working but is that normal for it to make that sound?? I figure it's the coolant doing that from being heated next to it... .

 

[bmoeller]

Also, if it's in the garage where it's quiet and I wait about 30 seconds after plugging it in, I can hear it sizzle. but is that normal for it to make that sound?? I figure it's the coolant doing that from being heated next to it... .

That is normal.

 

[DJb]

Thanks!!!!