Engine block heater troubleshooting

[Lab_Man]

My engine block heater is not working.
What is the ohm range for a normal heating element?

 

[BigPapa]

What truck?

 

[Lab_Man]

What truck?

2021 Laramie 3500 6.7L HO.

 

[BigPapa]

Well, I thought I may be able to get test specs from a school bus service manual, but evidently, the block heater for your Ram, Cummins 5309425, is a Ram only part and it doesn't show me specs. Maybe someone with a Ram SM can help.

 

[Lab_Man]

Well, I thought I may be able to get test specs from a school bus service manual, but evidently, the block heater for your Ram, Cummins 5309425, is a Ram only part and it doesn't show me specs. Maybe someone with a Ram SM can help.

Where can I find a comprehensive service manual for my 2021 ram 3500 and cummins 6.7L HO. I've been having a tough time finding anything. Thanks

 

[brucejohnson]

I went out and measured my 2020 Ram 2500 block heater element resistance. It read approximately 21.3 ohms, which includes a 0.3 ohm lead resistance. So around 21 ohms.

Confirm secure connection and source voltage at power plugs.
Check the wiring connection at the block heater element; direct continuity through the wiring harness, then directly on the element for continuity.

 

[Topzide]

@Lab_Man, Used to be Tech Authority but has now change to; https://mopartsp.com/login
You'll have to create a login to access manuals and subscription service.

 

[Timd32]

Don't think they will list it, it just says to test it for continuity using an ohm meter on AllData.

Bruce has you all kinds of hooked up with real values and procedure.

Don't forget to check your garage cord and outlet your using.

Topzide is right no more manuals only subscriptions anymore, that I have seen anyway.

And it's all kinds of copy paste stuff at times at times year over year, reguardless of changes.

 

[brucejohnson]

Don't think they will list it, it just says to test it for continuity using an ohm meter on AllData.

Bruce has you all kinds of hooked up with real values and procedure.

Don't forget to check your garage cord and outlet your using.

Topzide is right no more manuals only subscriptions anymore, that I have seen anyway.

And it's all kinds of copy paste stuff at times at times year over year, reguardless of changes.

Analog habits are hard to incorporate into the digital formats, especially when working with electrical schematics.
I like opening folded pages and bookmarking related pages with strips of paper, or the variety of business cards collected over the years. So easy to bounce around.
Digital, zoom in, zoom out, open new page, loose reference page, which tab has what...my printer gets a lot of use.
Then subscription required. Costs can get out of hand if you keep having to come back over the years.
Power or internet outages, you're out of luck; match, candle and an adult beverage no longer a temporary fix awaiting the electrical engineers' patch on the wires before they reload the "magic smoke" that leaked out of the circuits and cables.
Joe Walsh's song "I'm an Analog Guy in a Digital World" expresses my feelings well.
Inductors, capacitors, resistors, tubes, relays, transistors (start of digital) and miles of wires. Simplicity at its best, and easy to fix.
Now, circuit cards loaded with microchips. Specialty equipment and computer programs required for analysis. Static electricity fries a circuit at 20 feet, cards and circuits obsolete after a couple years, technology gets "better", throw it away, get a new one, supply chain issues, long waits.
No fun at all. OK. It's fun when it works and easy to fix IF...THEN...
So much for the electronics and computer education.
Whoops!
What Me Worry?
I'm retired...
Rant off...
You youngin's, carry on.

 

[Lab_Man]

@Lab_Man, Used to be Tech Authority but has now change to; https://mopartsp.com/login
You'll have to create a login to access manuals and subscription service.

Thanks. I appreciate it.

 

[Lab_Man]

Analog habits are hard to incorporate into the digital formats, especially when working with electrical schematics.
I like opening folded pages and bookmarking related pages with strips of paper, or the variety of business cards collected over the years. So easy to bounce around.
Digital, zoom in, zoom out, open new page, loose reference page, which tab has what...my printer gets a lot of use.
Then subscription required. Costs can get out of hand if you keep having to come back over the years.
Power or internet outages, you're out of luck; match, candle and an adult beverage no longer a temporary fix awaiting the electrical engineers' patch on the wires before they reload the "magic smoke" that leaked out of the circuits and cables.
Joe Walsh's song "I'm an Analog Guy in a Digital World" expresses my feelings well.
Inductors, capacitors, resistors, tubes, relays, transistors (start of digital) and miles of wires. Simplicity at its best, and easy to fix.
Now, circuit cards loaded with microchips. Specialty equipment and computer programs required for analysis. Static electricity fries a circuit at 20 feet, cards and circuits obsolete after a couple years, technology gets "better", throw it away, get a new one, supply chain issues, long waits.
No fun at all. OK. It's fun when it works and easy to fix IF...THEN...
So much for the electronics and computer education.
Whoops!
What Me Worry?
I'm retired...
Rant off...
You youngin's, carry on.

Right! I want my chilton manual.

 

[brucejohnson]

Right! I want my chilton manual.

Or a Motors Auto Repair Manual.

 

[Lab_Man]

I went out and measured my 2020 Ram 2500 block heater element resistance. It read approximately 21.3 ohms, which includes a 0.3 ohm lead resistance. So around 21 ohms.

Confirm secure connection and source voltage at power plugs.
Check the wiring connection at the block heater element; direct continuity through the wiring harness, then directly on the element for continuity.

Thanks for doing all that work. I really appreciate it Bruce. When I checked my resistance, it measured 19.6 ohms.

 

[brucejohnson]

Thanks for doing all that work. I really appreciate it Bruce. When I checked my resistance, it measured 19.6 ohms.

Should work well as long as you can get some cooperative electrons to the truck's plug. Check your voltage source, and the source (extension cord) contacts to the trucks plug. Well used sockets can get weak and not make sufficient contact for the current flow. (Open/high resistance)

 

[Lab_Man]

Should work well as long as you can get some cooperative electrons to the truck's plug. Check your voltage source, and the source (extension cord) contacts to the trucks plug. Well used sockets can get weak and not make sufficient contact for the current flow. (Open/high resistance)

I am getting 124 volts at the extension cord. I can try a different cord though to see if it makes any difference. The end is a tight fit. The heater plug may be slightly discolored. I'll sand them tomorrow night. It's supposed to get into the teens.

 

[brucejohnson]

I am getting 124 volts at the extension cord. I can try a different cord though to see if it makes any difference. The end is a tight fit. The heater plug may be slightly discolored. I'll sand them tomorrow night. It's supposed to get into the teens.

Do you have a clamp-on AC ammeter? If so, it should read around 6.1 amps when the power and heater cords are plugged in.

 

[Lab_Man]

Do you have a clamp-on AC ammeter? If so, it should read around 6.1 amps when the power and heater cords are plugged in.

Unfortunately, I don't have an amp clamp.

 

[endoscott]

Or a Motors Auto Repair Manual.

YES! Rebuilt my transmission on my '69 Roadrunner using the old Motor Manual, I was 17 and Mom had a huge basement laundry room where I did the work. She was happy that I wasn't driving it and probably hoped I wouldn't be able to fix the transmission. Replaced bearings and synchros, worked great! Damn that thing was heavy! Good times!