Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) engine block heater

[J Shocik]

I'm having trouble with my block heater-it's not working. Unfortunately for me, I don't have the facilities to work on this problem at this time( dead of winter & colder than a witch's you-know-what). I'm wondering if any members have had this problem fixed at their dealership and what was the cost? I believe the heater element is junk. Thanks in advance.

 

[DKayser]

Block heater out

Check your plug & cord. Mine was the cord where it came out from under the headlight. Cut the cord & put a replacement end on it. $5 & half an hour. I did mine in *20 weather. Not a big deal. Good luck. DK.

 

[LHartman]

If you've ever taken off without unplugging the truck it can ruin the cord. My brother-inlaw plugged his Dodge in at my house one night. Next morning he took off without unplugging it. He made it 5 miles dragging a 50' cord before he noticed it. When he pulled off the side of the road, a tire caught the cord and ruined the plug. How he made it that far without ripping the cord off is beyond me.



He was generous enough to bring my cord back. Most of the insulation was peeled away and he never did replace the cord.



Loren

 

[QRTRHRS]

Do you have an ohmmeter? It should not take more than ten minutes to check the plug. At least you would know for sure the element was bad before the dealer takes over.

 

[JohnE]

I agree on checking the plug & cord first. They are the weak link.



Just replaced the plug on the Mommy Van, today. Wife did the drive off disconnect 2 winters ago so that isn't too bad.



I don't use the block heater unless at a motel and the electricity is free. OK, I got an Espar.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Side thought: Drape the extension cord over the drivers side mirror and you will never drive off with it plugged in again.

 

[guns101]

try an ohm meter at the 2 flat contacts of the plug on the front of the truck. you should get a reading, like a light bulb. if not, check the connection at the block,behind the oil filter. it screws in. maybe loose,corroded,off? also like they say. could be a bad end. i replace mine about every 2 years. check under the screw in connection for ohm reading if all looks good up to there. if no reading directly at the block heater,... dude... . I just lost mine too... put an inline lower hose heater from napa/pyroil for the winter. . i'll replace the block heater in the nice,warm spring

 

[J Shocik]

First, thanks to all who replied!! Second, I took D Kayser's advise ( and the advise of others ) and replaced the plug. I figured the block heater isn't working anyways, so I had nothing to lose, except the $5. 00 for the plug. Weatherwise, it's supposed to get down to zero, so I'll find out in the AM if this works. For those wondering, no, I don't have an Ohm meter anymore- it broke-it was a cheap one anyways. Guns101, who fixed your KDP?? Was it someone local? Thanks.

 

[J Shocik]

I just want to let you know the plug replacement worked!! After a couple of sub-zero mornings plugging the truck in, the heater's working again! I only have to wait about 10 secs. for the wait to start light to go off. Thanks again!!!!

 

[mainer]

I put a glove over my shifter to remind me to unplug the heater. Also, I read in the manual where it only takes about an hour for the heater to do it's job. Those heaters suck alot of juice, so a timer's probably a good idea. The old girl has started right up consistently in spite of the high winds and sub-zero temps we've been having for over a week.

 

[TJMoor]

If its below 10 degrees I usually plug in for a hour min... (and for the last two weeks its been more llike -20 in Am) and when its below zero I let her heat for at least two hours. .

The engine will start down to about -20 with out being plugged in, but it is not good for it !!!

good luck

Terry

 

[Midnite]

When it's about -20 up here I need to plug in my 2000 for a minimum of two hours before it'll start (and 4 hours is much better). My 1992 will start without being plugged in down to about -25.



Mike