2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Grid Heater.... what makes it work

[FTotts]

This question is about the 01. It is REALLY hard to start in the cold,less than 40 deg. We go through the wait to start cycle as many as three times before we start to crank. When it finally catches an starts to run it hops around and belches LOTS of white smoke an in general is just rough for a while then everything is fine. SO the question; what determines whether or not the grid heater comes on or not? How do I check to see if it is working or not? Thanks in advance

FredT

 

[LandShark]

You can determine if the grid heaters are working by watching the battery/voltage meter. There is a big swing when the heaters cycle. Sounds like the heaters are not working, but you may have other problems if the trucks bucks and has white smoke at only 40 degrees.

 

[SRath]

There are some good historical threads about installing heavier-duty relays if those are not working on your truck. They are generally the source of grid heater problems. I don't always have much luck with the search function here, but it's worth a shot. Other than the relays, the grids are very simple and work like toasters. But landshark is right about you having more problems than heater grids if your truck behaves like that even down to zero, imo.

I don't see anything about gauges in your signature. Do you know if your fuel pressure is good? Do you use winterized fuel?

 

[WilsonF]

I'm not sure if this is applicable to your truck but try this:

Grid Heaters

Floyd

 

[BoeingDiesel]

This question is about the 01. It is REALLY hard to start in the cold,less than 40 deg. We go through the wait to start cycle as many as three times before we start to crank. When it finally catches an starts to run it hops around and belches LOTS of white smoke an in general is just rough for a while then everything is fine. SO the question; what determines whether or not the grid heater comes on or not? How do I check to see if it is working or not? Thanks in advance

FredT

If you haven't already done so, you should check for codes. If memory serves, white smoke is an IP timing issue.

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

Could even be bad injectors just dribbling the fuel into the cylinders :-laf



If everything is up to par, the truck will start relatively easy down to the freezing mark or colder even if the heater was completely removed. I have successfully started my 01 with the ambient temp at -30f (not able to plug in the block heater) and only allowing the heater to cycle once. 25 seconds on the heater and 10 seconds of cranking and it never ran rough at all until the 3cyl high idle kicked in about a minute later. I did record it, but unfortunately not a video that I can post (I can email the audio clip to anyone interested)



Most of the industrial equipment that uses the mechanical 5. 9 don't come equipped with a grid heater at all.



I can't say whether or not that all of the industrial ISB's come equipped with the grid heater. Even if they don't, cold starts are much easier since the computer advances timing and can deliver a more precisely metered amount of fuel at much higher pressures.

 

[hcole]

FTotts, I would expect to find a drainback problem in the fuel system. I went thru a similiar problem about 2-3 months ago when I had a bad fuel filter gasket that was allowing the fuel to leak back to the tank over night. Some have suggested that you park the truck on a steep downhill slope when over nighting to keep the fuel from draining back. It certainly worked for me and I finally found the leak where air was allowed to enter and then drain fuel from the injectors. Doesn't sound like a heater problem because mine can and will readily fire and run smoothly at 20*F. This is just cranking without using heaters.

 

[FTotts]

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your advice. It is my son's truck, he is away at college so while I was chasing a vibration in my '04 I drove his! To answer some of the concerns, yes we have gages, yes we have fuel pressure. Do we have drain back? Sounds plausible. He put all the gages in himself, and while pretty mechanically inclined he lacks experience. I will look into a loose gage fitting and look at the fuel filter housing as well.

thanks again

FredT

 

[FTotts]

Ok and another question I have about this whole thing is this, and I am not trying to be a smart *** here I just dont understand all I know about diesel engines. If I plug the truck in it starts and runs immedeiatly no matter what the temperature so how could that be a fuel pressure or a drain back issue? Thanks

Fred T