Block Heater ??

[MMcCowan]

It seems as though I have a moody block heater. If I have it plugged in for a few hours (regardless of how long the truck has been sitting) the "wait to start" goes off in a few seconds, fires up, and away we go. If it has been plugged in all day, all night, or a day or two the "wait to start" takes a pretty long time maybe 20-30 seconds. It's as if the heater wasn't plugged in at all. Is this normal? Is there an auto shut-off or something? Any insight would be helpful.



Thanks.

 

[rbattelle]

As far as I know there's no auto-shutoff. Something fishy is going on here. Check the resistance across the heater; it should be around 18 ohm.

Ryan

 

[B.G. Smith]

It seems as though I have a moody block heater. If I have it plugged in for a few hours (regardless of how long the truck has been sitting) the "wait to start" goes off in a few seconds, fires up, and away we go. If it has been plugged in all day, all night, or a day or two the "wait to start" takes a pretty long time maybe 20-30 seconds. It's as if the heater wasn't plugged in at all. Is this normal? Is there an auto shut-off or something? Any insight would be helpful.



Thanks.

The intake heaters are controlled by the computer by a signal from the IAT, (intake air temperature). When the intake air is below about 60 deg. F the heaters will come on. In colder weather I doubt the block heater is going to heat the intake enough to keep the heater grid from coming on. bg

 

[rbattelle]

The intake heaters are controlled by the computer by a signal from the IAT, (intake air temperature). When the intake air is below about 60 deg. F the heaters will come on. In colder weather I doubt the block heater is going to heat the intake enough to keep the heater grid from coming on. bg

Actually, I've found that in all but the coldest weather (maybe less than 20°F) the block heater does increase underhood temperatures enough that a preheat doesn't occur.



Obviously the wind direction and intensity have a big effect, though.



Ryan

 

[DFairhurst]

ive been plugging mine in over night for the last few days an wait to start pops up then goes away in a couple of sec. have u checked to see if it is having a bad connection at the block maybe corrosion ?

 

[Hoefler]

I would check the temp of the block, you can simply put your hand on it to tell. If it is out side when plugged in, a breeze can move enough air to keep the block from warming the intake and surrounding areas under the hood.

 

[TimothyLong]

Had something similar happen on my old '98. 5. Eventually the block heater wouldn't work at all. Replaced the power cord and that took care of the problem.

 

[rbattelle]

Had something similar happen on my old '98. 5. Eventually the block heater wouldn't work at all. Replaced the power cord and that took care of the problem.

Must have been a short in a wire? I had something similar happen on an iron years ago. They use the highest gauge they can "get away with" to save money sometimes.

Ryan

 

[TimothyLong]

Must have been a short in a wire? I had something similar happen on an iron years ago. They use the highest gauge they can "get away with" to save money sometimes.



Ryan

Yeah, I thought the same thing. Like any other extension cord, they use braided wire instead of solid copper. I figured it was corrosion at the plug that did it. We were in the middle of a cold snap at the time and I didn't have time to fool with it. So it was worth the $20 to get a new one.

 

[MMcCowan]

I'll look into these suggestions. Thanks guys.