Dis-connecting grid heaters

[Motorhead]

Does disconnecting the grid heaters set off a trouble code or ck light? I live where it gets into the 20's at night in the winter but warms up during the day. I thought of pulling the small wire off of the solenoid that controls the heater. Mine has two solenoids. I figure that I don't need them as I block heat at night. (I go to work at 3:30AM. ) I think that they put an extra hard load on the alternator when they kick in while the motor is running. We have a bunch of 12 valves at UPS and they don't have them. These things sit out at night and light right off in the AM. THX. Chris

 

[Whitmore]

Chris, I would'nt do it , they work good. Go out in the A. M. and just crank it without letting the grid do it's thing and you will see what I mean. JMO... ... ... . Kevin

 

[rashwor]

Love'em

I love those grid heaters. I wish all diesels had them (John Deere, are you listening? You do good, but Cummins still has you beat). It is the best starting aid I have ever seen for a diesel engine and one of the primary reasons I bought a Dodge over a Ford.



IMO

 

[Evan A. Beck]

You'll be fine if you disconnect them. A lot of the 12V engines in the motorhomes and medium duty trucks I work on do not have grid heaters. They start just fine, even in the cold. Grid heaters make is easier to start, but they are not absolutely necessary.



Plus, since you use your block heater, you won't have any problem at all with disabling the heaters. To disconnect them, just pull the wires off the trigger sides of the relays. Takes 5 seconds.

 

[15w40]

Disabling the trigger for the intake heaters will set a DTC code P0380 and P0382 (EDM does not sense intake air heater relay turned on. ) This is a code that will turn on the MIL. Also the IAT is used to monitor the intake air as the engine is warming. If this does not detect a rising air temperature a DTC code P1291 (This monitor fails if the difference between the highest intake manifold air temperature measured during the first 15 seconds of engine operation and intake manifold temperature at key on is below a calibrated threshold which is a function of intake manifold air temperature at key on and engine speed during the test. )

I would leave the grid heaters connected.

 

[Motorhead]

15w40, thats what I thought. Although I had no clue what codes might be set, I figured that it would. How did you know which codes, did you try it? Chris

 

[15w40]

Motorhead, I have not tried disconnecting the grid heaters but have thought about doing it. After reading about how the computers keep tabs on all of the operating parameters, I decided to find out how much I could get away with. The manual I refer to is published by DC and titled "Powertrain Diagnostic Procedures". It has a good description of all the trouble codes and trouble shooting procedures.

 

[C.]

I have ran my truck with the grid heaters disconnected. It will not idle smoothly when cold. But the check engine light never came on.

 

[Double 6]

Another option for you is to get the Practical Solutions Intake Heater System Saver, it eliminates unnecessary intake heater cycling on a warm engine. Is the best of both world's, if you need the grid heaters they will still work.