grip heaters flipping out. . .

[jaynes]

The temp got down to 0 degrees last night a few nights ago. I didn't run the truck the whole day because I was gone with my parents visiting relatives. The next day the temp didn't get any higher than 15 degrees. I went to start the truck and the grid heaters stayed on for a total of about 5 seconds. Now I didn't count, but thats a good number. I tried to start the truck but it didn't. I tried it again, and they stayed on for about 10 seconds (i counted this time). It fired then died again. So I tried it a third time and they came on for about 10 seconds, so I recycled them again and this time it started real rough. Anyone have any ideas as to why they weren't staying on very long at all resulting in hard starting? I mean 5 seconds in 15 degree weather. I already replaced the air temp sensor in the intake last summer cause they were giving me problems last winter. Now I don't know whats wrong. Any suggestions would be helpful. Oh I also have 2 leaky injectors, leaky rocker cover gaskets, leaky oil pan gaskets, smokey injectors at that, and its starting to make all kinds of wierd noises. . . Sorry, its starting to frustrate me. Some of you guys might like to know (since I am a college student) that i'm getting my degree in Agriculture systems management with a major in heavy machinery/diesel mechanics. Goin to work for John Deere ( I might see if I can get on with Cummins so I can fix problems like these!!)

 

[CToney]

Problems

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. I graduated in 2000 with my degree in mechanized agriculture. But I just came home to the family farm to ranch with my dad and brother. It sounds like your truck needs a little tlc. Being a student I realize your budget is tight so here's a few sugestions. I'd ask around the tdr site if there is anyone who has some good stock injectors that they would part with for cheap. As well as change your valve cover gaskets and adjust your valves. Also investing in a dodge service manuial might not be a bad idea. I'll check out in mine about the grid heater problem. And if your timing is off or cold start advance is off your truck will be harder to start. Good luck.



CR Toney

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

jaynes, I am posting a pic I scanned to help locate some connections you should check, also the chart for heater temps/time cycles that are quoted for my ' 93 '.

I'll look into the 'book' for more stuff if you'd like. Perhaps we can get this working for you. Don't give up yet !

Any one else have some thoughts?????



Regards, Bob

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

One more...

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

last one, don't wanna hog storage space...

 

[paccool]

This may be a stpid thing to throw out on this subject but is it possible you have gelled fuel?

 

[jaynes]

no gelled fuel...

I tried it this morning, and it worked fine this time. I dunno what the problem is. Are the connections different in the air temp sensors and relays for the non intercooled pre 1991. 5's? I don't know how much differently the systems operate, probably no different at all. So they stayed on for 10 seconds today, as the chart indicated (thanks Bushwakr!) and everything seemed to go great. Started up just fine. Just that one time, when it was 0 dgrees and they stayed on for just 5 seconds. Could it be a bad connection? Bad sensor? One more question. I know that with glow plugs, if one or some start getting burnt out, that can cut back on glow time, causing them to cut out early. Could that happen with grid heaters; as in the wire getting. . . I don't know, burnt out and causing a short glow time? I dunno, just food for thought, and I'im not giving up. Yeah, anyone with some good stock injectors laying around they might want to sell? Thanks guys!

 

[Steve Graham]

quick cheap fix

Durning a deer hunt several years ago my 92 started having trouble starting in mornings, blew lots of white smoke if it did start at all. The grid heater only came on for a few seconds and I thought it might be the senors. So off the the hardware store and I bought a momentary on SPST switch and some wire, hooked it to switch side of the grid heater solenoid that goes to ground. I then had manual control of the grid heater solenoids. It'a cheap fix if the problem is the sensors. MY problem turned out to be a failing battery.



Steve

 

[mark93]

Hi Jaynes.



Steve is right. A weak battery can cause all sorts of problems with the "computer" that controls the grid heaters. The heaters are powerful and battery voltage may drop to an unacceptably low level during heater operation. If the battery is good (truck cranks OK after heaters off) it is either the sensor or the computer fault.