grid heater problems...AGAIN

[jaynes]

OK. If there is anything that I have problems with, it's the grid heater. This morning it was probably around 15 degrees. Wait To Start about 11 secs, then once I get her going, there is no post cycle. And I don't know how much the post cycle helps, but boy I tell you what, that thing was blowing cold smoke like a chimney! Any ideas? Also just an hour ago (it was 5 degrees then, almost 0 now) it post cycled just fine. I also found out I need a new battery. Barely got 'er over fast enough to fire, let alone 15 degrees colder! But any ideas? Intermittent post cycling. Makes for a foggy morning



jaynes



ps: on a different note, alittle off subject, but how many CCA's should our batteries have? I don't know how well I'm gonna get her going tomorrow morning. Might not !

 

[CDegner]

ON the CCA's, I'm running 1125. It is a DieHard Commercial battery. Never had a slow turnover with a cold start to about 15F. I know that is not THAT cold but it does not normally get colder than that in the PNW. Course saying that, we've had snow on the ground for the past 5 days with more on the way tonight with temps hangint in the uper teens to low twenties. Got her plugged in tonight!



Carl

 

[1stgen4evr]

grid heater

My 92 has similar grid heater problems and I think that you will eventually trace the problem to you computer. The two 93s that I have don't show any problem with this. The problem may not be the computer itself but wireing or connection problems. No one around this part of the country can test the computer and tell me if it is the actual problem. Generally if there is a problem with a computer it will not be intermittent, but connections can certainly be off and on problems. Keep in mind that I am guessing as I haven't solved my problem. I will put the OD control on my shifter and I will also wire the air conditioner for manual control. That engine and transmission is going in a crew cab project if I can ever get some time off the road to work on it. The 85s didn't have computers and I am certainly not going to put one in the crewcab. I don't think it would be satisfactory to straight wire the grid heater to a switch as one would certainly forget and burn it up from being on too long. I hope someone will have a definitive answer as I could and would like to drive the 92 more than I do now.



1stgen4evr

James McPherson

Georgia

 

[jaynes]

Yeah. I had a helluva time gettin it going this morning! Took me like five minutes. First it wouldn't preheat long enough, then it would turn over to slow, so slow infact i didn't think it was fast enough to get adequate heat in the cylinders, then it would catch one, and let the starter go. Does that happen to anyone? There is also about a 5 second crank for all of those, had to do each one about 6-7 times. But when it finally did start, no post cycle and SOOOO much white smoke; guy walked outside his house just after I got her running and just walked to his car, staring at the smokey mess. Any suggestions with the intake heaters? I don't know much about the computer, but i have an early '91, if that makes any difference. SO to recap, short preheat time, and no post cycle. Thanks!



jaynes



ps: it got down to 1 degree last night and was 12 when I went to start it. I have no means to plug it in, by the way.

 

[1stgen4evr]

I thought that all our trucks had the block heaters. Check yours. the block heater can be seen looking to the left of the oil filter under the exhaust manifold. It is installed into the block through one of the freeze plug holes. If it is there, follow the wire coming from it to the end which is a plug for your extension cord. Mine comes out and loops back with the end drooped over the air cleaner.

1stgen4evr

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

You may find that much of these symptoms trace back to a bad battery.

Not all of them, but often the battery is the source of this type of thing.

The orginal battery's on our trucks were a 1075 CCA rating (I think they were group "D")

Currently the best substitute or replacement is a group 31 battery in and around 1250 CCA to 1350 CCA.



Let us know how you make out as I'm interested in this myself. .



Bob.

 

[JLEONARD]

I second the thought on the battery. That must be good as a starting (yuck, yuck) point.

I use an Optima red top. I put it in last fall, one day after the temps got into the 20s. Sound familiar?

The winter before, and now since the battery is good, I can start up when it's in the single digits without even waiting for the heaters to cycle.

Cranking speed is the key to starting. The grid heaters help a bit.

And if the battery ain't got the umph, it just ain't gonna happen.

Jay

 

[jaynes]

I know where the block heater is, firstgen. I just don't have the means to plug it in. It's been disabled for sometime now (bad wiriing) and I don't have anywhere to plug it in anyway. I live in a duplex with a parking lot about 20 yards away. Yeah, Pastor Bob, she turns over slower 'n cold chevy 6. 5. Still enough to make fire, though, apparently. Thats all I'm worried about. Yeah, 5-6 preheats later, he wakes up and isn't happy without the post cycle. Now, I went to McDonalds to get lunch, cause I'm lazy (went through all that trouble just for a Big Mac ) and when I got outta there, it preheated again, but this time it post cycles! Now Bob was saying that could be traced back to a bad battery. Once I had it running (as in going to McD. ) that battery had more charge, and could therefore post cycle? I dunno! But it's giving me troubls. Supposed to get down to around 5-9 degrees tonight again. Wish me luck!



Jaynes

 

[jaynes]

That must be good as a starting (yuck, yuck) point.

:-laf



Nice, J. I hear ya on the batts. I could've told you the mighty Cummins just doesn't have the umph to fire up good and quick like it's used to. The battery is tired. It's only a 900 CCA! Works darned good in the warmer weather, as in NOT 1 degree !

 

[JLEONARD]

Just remember... a bad battery takes it's toll on the starter, alternator, and anything that draws some juice, and the wiring harness.

Go to Wallymart and buy something cheap if you have to... . just get some cranking power!!!

Another sometimes forgotten factor is oil viscosity. What grade you running? Should be 15-40. Synthetic will let you crank faster.

Jay

 

[cerberusiam]

You might check the air intake temp sensor and wiring also. I had a sensor go bad and it exhibited some of the same behavior. Corroded or loose connections could cause the same problems.



I have a $60 Wall Mart battery 925 CCA. Been running it for 2 years and no problems. The grid heaters cycle for 20 seconds at 0 degrees and the motor fires immediately.

 

[farmall]

Originally posted by cerberusiam

You might check the air intake temp sensor and wiring also. I had a sensor go bad and it exhibited some of the same behavior. Corroded or loose connections could cause the same problems.



I have a $60 Wall Mart battery 925 CCA. Been running it for 2 years and no problems. The grid heaters cycle for 20 seconds at 0 degrees and the motor fires immediately.

I have the same battery in my truck. I put one in my neighbors identical to mine. We both fired our trucks up this morning in 7* weather with the wind chill below zero without being plugged in and had no problems. Plus that abttery has a 3 year free replacemnet warranty on it.



Bill

 

[914x4ctd]

Anybody out there using two red top Optima batts hooked up parallel? I noticed that Costco Wholesale has them for $99. 00

Just wanted to see if anybody has had any luck with them. By the way they will fit on the stock tray if I remember right.

 

[JLEONARD]

91,

My red top is only a year old so I can't comment on longevity. It worked fine last year and is good so far... plenty of cranking power.

Yes, I would agree that two of them should fit in the tray... my single has plenty of space around it.

Jay

 

[opel]

I have two Napa ( Exide ) batteries hooked up parallel in mine, mainly for the winch. I believe they are 1125 a piece. It was -29 here in montana last Sunday and I cycled the heaters twice and still had decent juice to start. I had it plugged in also.