Grid Heater ?

[Rod97]

Have a bit of a head scratcher looking for some direction to any former threads regarding my question or if someone might have some personal experience. I have a 97 12 valve new to me since 12/18. Every start since purchase has been very consistent: wait to start light goes out engine starts fast, voltage drops to around 10 for 20 seconds comes up to normal fluctuates a few times and stabilizes. I have read from other posts this is somewhat normal. Here is my confusion for the past week ( weather has been 20-30 F ) It now starts right up but the voltage does not drop and no fluctuations. I swear it runs better than ever? I should just smile and be happy but am curious if there is a logical explanation. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Ozymandias]

I guess the ECM wont go to hard on the Batterys at that low temps.
The after the start grid heater action is just for emissions reasons and not needed.
So may it comes back at warmer temps.

Just guessing.

 

[GAmes]

Grid heater operation is explained in the factory service manual. I bypassed the PCM ('97s don't have an ECM) years ago but it would be normal for the grids to activate after engine start at 20-30f. I suspect the air intake temp sensor has failed.

 

[Joe Mc]

Hey Games good thought! Maybe AIT is dirty and not getting the correct read? Either way they're cheap enough to replace.

Oz, keep us posted.

 

[KATOOM]

Hopefully this helps understand what the grid heater system is supposed to do... http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/FAQ/cold_wx.htm

 

[Rod97]

I guess the ECM wont go to hard on the Batterys at that low temps.
The after the start grid heater action is just for emissions reasons and not needed.
So may it comes back at warmer temps.

Just guessing.

 

[Rod97]

Thank you all for the quick responses and guidance! After identifying where all the components of the Grid heat system were at, I found one of the leads to one of the relays that had chafed through the sheathing and shorted out, after re-terminating and heat shrinking the lead everything is back working correctly! Really thankful for this forum it has already saved me $$ and time.