Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Grid Heater Not Working

[LHastings]

I think my grid heaters are not working. It 's starts okay when I plug it in at night but in the cold evening (low 30's F) it is hard to start. I was wondering if there is a fuse or fuse link for the grid heaters? I also would like to know what is the resistance value of the heater elements? I'm going to grab my voltmeter and do some checking tonight. I have a 98 12v 4X4 Quad Auto Stock.

 

[shendren]

check the nuts on the solenoids under the battery on the wheel well.

 

[BWilson]

I'd place bets on the solenoids. I recently changed mine. They got stuck on though.

 

[LHastings]

Thanks I will sure enough check out the solenoids.

 

[SEmerson]

I had a sticking relay so after I fixed it I put a led in the dash that lights when the heaters come on. Nice piece of mind.

 

[fest3er]

If the relays are bad, you can replace them with a standard relay that is much better than the OEM relay. See:

http://home.adelphia.net/~npmrphy/relay.pdf

The relays I used are still giving me a satisfying 'tock' when they turn off, after a year of operation.

Fest3er

 

[LHastings]

Thanks Fest3er, looks like I won't get to it until Sunday to check it out, but if it the solenoids I will keep the Stancor relay in mind. I sure don't like the idea making my stealer dealer a merry Christmas.

 

[Deezul1]

Easy way to tell if they are going on is watch the amp gauge, oops, I guess its a voltmeter nowdays. If it goes way down to around 8 volts the grid heaters are working otherwise the needle should just barely move when key is turned on.

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by Deezul 1
Easy way to tell if they are going on is watch the amp gauge, oops, I guess its a voltmeter nowdays. If it goes way down to around 8 volts the grid heaters are working otherwise the needle should just barely move when key is turned on.

Also, once the heaters are off, and you see your dash lights and head lights flickering as you jounce along the road, with the flickering getting worse as the road gets rough, you know at least one relay is weak and in need of replacement.

Fest3er

 

[LHastings]

The headlights and dash lights don't dim or even filicker. The voltmeter does not even dip. It just stay at 14+ volts. That is why I was wondering if this circuit is fused or has a fuse link in it.

 

[Deezul1]

It just about has to have a fuse setup somewhere but my 97 manual prolly wont be correct for where it is. Check in the Power Center where the BIG fuses are, it lists them on the lid, might find it there. Also the owners manual has a fuse diagram for ratings and location (at least it used to)

Good Luck

 

[LHastings]

Finally got under the hood Sunday . Found the problem right off the bat. The B cable to the soleniods corroded off the terminal. I've been fighting a battery corrosion on this thing since I had it. The only places it corrodes is the positive terminal on the driver side battery and the inside hold down bolt on the passenger side battery. I think I'll get some felt pads for the terminals and give them a try. Oh I did look in the power center for a fuse. There is a 40 amp fuse and also a relay for that circuit, but I think they are there to protect the soleniods.