Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) grid heater sticking

[SEmerson]

What triggers the grid heater? Mine has been sticking on and I have to disconect the bats to stop it.

 

[danandamy]

The two small solenoids on the drivers side fender as well as one half of the double solenoid up on the firewall ( I don't remember which of the two it is) control the grid heater. Next time it sticks, you should be able to start unplugging these one at a time and find the culprit. Hope this helps.



dan

 

[SEmerson]

Does it ingage only before you start? Or does it stay on when cold to help warm up?

 

[Blakers]

If the air temperature is below 50 deg F, it will continue to cycle on and off until the engine warms to where the air entering the intake is over 50 or you are driving the truck 10 mph or faster -- whichever comes first.



Blake

 

[illflem]

The heaters stay on, but not the wait to start light after starting as long as the intake temp sensor is reading below around 50° and you aren't moving faster than 17 mph. They cycle on and off while the engine is running, the cycle rate depends on the temp also. The maximum they will stay on is 180 seconds.

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by SEmerson

What triggers the grid heater? Mine has been sticking on and I have to disconect the bats to stop it.

If your heater relay is sticking 'on', then you have at least one failed relay. You can purchase a new pair of relays from DC for about $70m or you can replace them with something better: see http://home.adelphia.net/~npmrphy/relay.pdf .



In a word, the OEM relays are marginal for the application. I've had the replacements on for about a year with no problems at all.



Fest3er

 

[SEmerson]

Maybe some ford starter relays.

 

[fest3er]

Posting an update. It's now 8/04, and the Stancor relays I installed are *still* showing no signs of trouble. They're still working as well as when they were new.



N