block heater

[Task125]

how can you tell if the block heater is working? I don't think mine is. what is it warming up? coolant , thanks mike

 

[fkovalski]

You will be able to tell if it works by how long your “wait to start” light takes to go out. For me even in the coldest of weather it will go out in a few seconds. When it upwards of 30 degrees without plugging in it will take 30 or so seconds. Yes, it warms the coolant. If you still think it is not working, try using an Ohm meter and check for continuity. I'm sure others will chime in for further testing techniques. -frank



edit: replied as to your 98. 5 CTD- assuming it is similar to the 03.

 

[boonsur]

It takes a few (3-4) hours to be completely effective.

 

[Dean Upson]

I left mine on all night and the wait to start didn't even come on. It was 15 degrees outside. My truck is in a (unheated) garage.



Dean

 

[e-man-da-warranty-man]

I can actually hear mine "fizzing" about 5 seconds after pluging the power cord in. Also after about 2 hours the water neck is warm to the touch. Congrats on your 03 rig.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Ditto on the fizz, just plug it in and listen. It's been my experience that it takes about 2 hours to warm up the eng in temps of 15F or higher. Also, if your in sub-zero weather your grid heater may still come on.

 

[Task125]

well it's not working then. I will have to investigate tomorrow. Thanks mike

 

[The Frankster]

At what TEMP should one plug it in...

I was told with the 98-1/2 that you don't plug them in unless you're BELOW freezing. 32 being the threshold. Is this true? Does it hurt anything to plug it in if the temps are say 40???



Frankster Oo.

 

[moorepowercoatings]

You can hear the plug arcing when you plug it in. Mine seems to work but not nearly as well as on my 92. The heater was blowing warm air within a minute of starting on that truck. Was able to defrost instantly.

 

[Prairie Dog]

It doesn't hurt anything to plug them in at any temp, just be sure to unplug it before you start the engine or the heaters life will be greatly shortened.

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by Task125

well it's not working then. I will have to investigate tomorrow. Thanks mike

if you have a multimeter, set it to ohms measure the resistance across the power and neutral pins. if it reads OL or nothing at all, something is open circuted. it will read about 15 ohms for a 1000 watt heater if it is working.

[that is if i did my math right - P=E*I and E=I*R - p= watts - e= volts - i= amps - r= resistance]

 

[robobx]

Mine seems to have just stopped working then, wait to start light used to go out after about 3-5 seconds. Now it's a good 15-20 seconds, and it's taking longer to warm up.

 

[chessie-system]

Originally posted by Prairie Dog

It doesn't hurt anything to plug them in at any temp, just be sure to unplug it before you start the engine or the heaters life will be greatly shortened.

Ok just exactly why would the heater elements life be shortened if you use it while the vehicle is running. As long as the element stays submerged it should not be an issue.

Jeff

 

[Dean Upson]

If you take off before you unplug it, it's life would be shortened considerably .



Dean

 

[Task125]

where on the block is it located?to cold out to be crawling around looking for it

 

[pstillo]

When i bought my 97. I was told by cummins to plug it in 1hr before you used the truck. They said not to leave it pluged in over night.

 

[RCrowley]

Plug in problem

A couple of years ago I left for work in the morning half asleep and drove away with the cord still plugged in. I did't realize it until I got home and thought someone stoled my 150 ft $100 electrical cord which I needed because I had to park on the street and the outlet was behind the house. The block heater cord was fine, but someone got a free extension cord on my way to work. It must have looked pretty funny to people seeing a big 3500 rolling down the road dragging a 150 ft extension cord. Needless to say I haven't done that twice.