Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) engine block heater problem

[J Shocik]

I plug my truck in at night when the temp is below freezing. The truck does not start any easier and I notice the cord cold. When I knew the heater was working properly, I would notice the heater cord warm when unpluging it. How can I check if the block heater is working? Can I check this with an ohm meter? Could just the cord be bad? Thanks, John

 

[FreeBMW]

After its been plugged in all night & had a chance to cool down from running temps... ... . feel the engine..... mine is warm to the touch... ... the radiator end tanks and hoses are warm too... . plus my "WTS" light only stays on a sec..... not as long as if I wasnt plugged in.





Best of luck.....

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Check to make sure the cord hasn't come off of the block heater, they are threaded on right at the block. Have you plugged something else into the extension cord to see if it's got power? I've got an extension cord with a light in the plug itself to tell me it's on (this is real handy) Last year my cord was dead and I couldn't figure out why, I brought out a drill and put it in the outlet and it was dead, checked the breaker and it was fine, I ended up hand over handing the wires down in the cellar from the outlet back to find that the outlet I was using went through the GFCI in the main bedrooms bathroom and that had tripped.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

You can check it with an ohmmeter. Mine reads 17 ohms with a cold engine.

Mine makes a noise like water boiling about 10 seconds after being plugged in. It is quiet, but obvious.



Joe

 

[QRTRHRS]

The heater draws 750 watts so it's normal for the cord to feel slightly warm especially if your using a light guage cord. You can unscrew the cord from the heater at the block and check both the cord and the element. With the cord off, check for continuity end to end on your neutral, hot and ground. If thats okay then check between them for a short. If it's the cord, I for one have one laying around from when I upgraded to a plug in type with a trapdoor like a big truck uses. When you trouble shoot the element, neutral and hot should see each other but not ground. Good time to do an oil change because with the filter off, you have a clean shot at the element.

 

[FreeBMW]

Originally posted by QRTRHRS

I upgraded to a plug in type with a trapdoor like a big truck uses.

Could you share where you purchased the plug? I have searched on-line at several "Tractor/Trailer parts" sites and cant find one.





Thanks

 

[QRTRHRS]

I purchased it at a local trucking firm that happens to have a parts counter. It's a Zerostart #8606005. The company is in Eden Prairie, MN 55344. I paid about 50 bucks but you may find them for less. I think this is the 3rd winter and it looks fine and I don't wash my truck much.

 

[FreeBMW]

Thanks!

 

[guns101]

My Block Heater quit this winter also. usually it's a problem at the plug ,with me. I plug in every night due to not knowing when I will have to go out in the wee hours. Check for power at the cord, I know obvious, but it happens. My heater also makes the hiss sound a few seconds after plug in,when it worked... lol. I replaced the plug ends on the extention and at the heater a couple times. Check the heater cord. My 1st one chaffed and failed from flopping around in the stock location. Check the connection at the block heater itself,vibration will loosen it. A little dielectric grease in the socket there goes a long way to keep corrsion out. If all the connections are good, use an ohm meter to check the element and the cord itself you should get a reading on the flat plug terminals. make sure you are unplugged or you'll be buying a new ohm meter at least. If you have no reading for ohms,like mine, it may be time for a new heater. I am not attempting to replace my block heater this winter. I am buying a in line heater from NAPA, same wattage. IMHO, if the block heater plug is not leaking, I am not changing it out till spring. ps. I did check it before it got cold and like a lightbulb,it worked fine. just one of those things... Good Luck