Grid Heaters -- Revisited.

[radixr]

I've been trying to figure out what is wrong with my grid heaters. They don't seem to be operating as they should. Sometimes they work properly (i. e. , cycle when the engine is cold and don't cycle when the engine is warm/hot). Other times they cycle when the engine is hot; for instance, if I shut off the engine and restart right away, they will usually cycle.

I had a thought that for an immediate restart, maybe the air temperature sensor in the intake manifold has not had a chance to warm up enough to tell the PCM not to cycle the heaters. Could one of you 12-valve, cold weather guys try restarting your engine immediately after shutdown and see if the "Wait-to-Start" light stays on and if the grid heaters cycle? I would appreciate it if you would either post or email me with your results.

Thanks, Dave


------------------
1996 Dodge 2500 4X4 SC, SLT, Cummins 12V, 5-spd. , JRE 4" exhaust (my kitty ran away into the woods and the muffler fell off!), TST 280 HP/685 Ft-Lb Uprate Kit, AFC Spring Kit, Horton Fan Clutch, Jacobs/Ram Exhaust Brake, MagHytec Differential Cover, Prime-Loc, Rancho RS9000 Shocks, Combo Gauge, K&N Air Filter, Brite-Box, Geno's finger-touch oil pan drain plug, Optima Yellow Tops, no turbo silencer ring, full-time fog lights.

 

[ramman]

My 98 does the same if below 55f or so very annoying and got to be hard on the alternator if ya come up with an answer please post it,I put a switch on the hot side to the relays . My truck is a 98

 

[Eric_77]

My truck does the same thing if air temp is below 45. If I have been pulling or have the boost up where intake charge has been heated by turbo then I have no delay on starting it. Maybe a radiator block would help. If I have my truck plugged in I never have to "wait to start" but the coldest I have seen with truck is in the teens.

Oops I forgot the signature line again.
It is with a 96 2500 with just a fuel plate installed stock injectors for now.

[This message has been edited by Eric_77 (edited 03-06-2001). ]

 

[illflem]

I always plug my truck in and the heaters never come on. If the truck is good and warmed up,say like driving 20 miles,the heaters won't go on again unless the truck sits for at least two hours. If the truck is cold and the heaters come on and I don't move it or drive a short distance they will come on every time until the truck is warmed well. All you have to do is drive and they shut down though.

 

[jaynes]

Ok I have a first gen ('91) and the heaters don't work right either. I've been trying to get an answer, but nothing has come up. My problem is that they don't heat enough! Been like this for the past two years. This summer I replaced the air temp sensor and that hasn't done the trick. A few days ago it was 0 degrees out and they cycled for only 9 seconds. I usually have to do it two or sometime three times to get the air hot enough. Any ideas? The sensor couldn't be bad after five months could it? Thanks fellas.

------------------
'91 D-250, Cummins, 3 speed auto, 165k, Hurculiner bedliner, after market bumper,custom one tone metallic blue paint job (sorry no pics) and completely stock... . for now anyway