cold weather electrical surge??

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well its getting cold weather down south now and this morning with the outside temp about 35 degrees i noticed the alternator gauge surging and as it did the headlights and dash lights would dim somewhat. . i drove about 1/4 mile to first stoplight and it had stopped... . any opinions on what to check... connectors,belt,etc??? thanks in advance #ad


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'94 2500,4x4,SLT,auto,
3. 54,K&N(removed),Prime-Loc, 70,000 miles, otherwise *stock* as Granny's brassiere... .

 

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100% normal,it's just the intake heaters cycleing on and off.

 

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illflem... . thanks for the reply... it was the first colder weather start and the engine had never done this before... am relieved that it is normal... i hate that i am mechanically challenged sometimes #ad
thanks again

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'94 2500,4x4,SLT,auto,
3. 54,K&N(removed),Prime-Loc, 70,000 miles, otherwise *stock* as Granny's brassiere... .

 

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dustoff,

Ideally, you should wait for the intake grid heater to stop cycling before you drive away. If it's convienent, use your block heater for a couple hours before you start. Often this will warm up the engine enough that the intake grid heater will not cycle at all.

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1996 Dodge 2500 4X4 SC, SLT, Cummins 12V, 5-spd. , JRE 4" exhaust (my kitty ran off into the woods and the muffler fell off!), TST 280 HP/685 Ft-Lb Uprate Kit, AFC Spring Kit, Horton Fan Clutch, Jacobs/Ram Exhaust Brake, MagHytec Differential Cover, Prime-Loc, Rancho RS9000 Shocks, Combo Gauge, K&N Air Filter, Brite-Box, Geno's finger-touch oil pan drain plug, no turbo silencer ring, full-time fog lights.

 

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radixr... . i knew i would need to start plugging the block heater in sooner or later with the season change coming, so thanks for the suggestion... . i will try that in the morning... thanks again... is this site great or what #ad

 

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I was out Elk hunting last week and at 10,000 feet it was 12 deg F. After sitting all night the old faithfull CUMMINS started right up! It was'nt hitting on all six at first but after about 10 seconds it smoothed out and started to purr just like normal. No plug in availible in the woods. My old F#@* with a 6. 9 in it would have required several prayers and a 1/2 can of starting fluid #ad

 

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dustoff:

A little addition to what everyone
has already told you. I was told
that the intake grid heater pulls
over 20 amps when it cycles!

 

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The heaters will cycle while diving, up to 3 1/2 minutes or until speed goes over 10 mph(as per 96 service manual). Good idea to plug it in. But I would think the heaters would still go thru their cycle. Unless of course heat exchange takes place between radiator and inter cooler before engine is cranked.
But fresh cold air would still be pulled in from outside after engine fires up.

 

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MM,with my '95s block heater pluged in the manifold heaters haven't come on even at 30 below zero. There is very good heat exchange,in fact the block heater on my rig will melt the snow off the hood and windshield as long as it isn't below 20 above.

 

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Never had to use mine. Had it added in case I had to make trip up north during the cold months.