Heater grid disconnect

[abranz]

Does anyone know how to disable the heater grids once the truck is running? I did the procedure using a oil pressure sending unit interupting the grounds to the solenoids on my 01 which worked great. However on my 05 it throws codes and the check engine light comes on. Any help would be appreciated.

Anthony

 

[JCleary]

Pardon my ignorance, but why would you want to cancel the heater grids? Doesn't the truck determine when it's warm enough? Or when you drive over 17mph or something?



Not flaming, justg asking.

 

[abranz]

I'm in many situations where starting and driving 20mph are not feasable. The grids on my truck will cycle for at least five minutes, draining the batteries and taxing the alternator. I just don't like the grids constantly cycling every time I start the vehicle, cold or warm. Any replys appreciated.

Anthony

 

[rbattelle]

I'm in many situations where starting and driving 20mph are not feasable. The grids on my truck will cycle for at least five minutes, draining the batteries and taxing the alternator. I just don't like the grids constantly cycling every time I start the vehicle, cold or warm. Any replys appreciated.

Anthony

With all due respect, in my opinion something isn't quite right with your truck if the heaters are cycling that long. I believe the post-heat cycle runs 2 minutes, or have they changed the programming for 2005? Are your batteries regularly running down? Has your alternator died on you? From your concern about it I assume you're starting the truck, idling around at low speed until right about the time the grids stop cycling, then shutting the truck off. If that's the case, then indeed you may eventually run down the batteries, as additional engine run time is required to keep the batteries charged.



Why not just disconnect the grids altogther? You'll get more smoke at startup, but the problem will be alleviated.



-Ryan

Disclaimer: the preceeding was purely my opinion and I didn't intend to offend anyone. I'm not being mean-spirited in any way. Please, if I've said anything wrong someone correct me.

 

[dhill]

My new truck won't be here untill mid March, but I think I read somewhere here if you start the engine before the "wait" light goes off that bypasses the heater cycle and the heaters shouldn't cycle after starting.



Dave

 

[phloop]

When I had my powerstroke there was a mod where you were able to discoumboobalate the glow plugs. It used some sort of coolant temp switch from an older S-10, if I remember correctly. Under a certain temp, the switch was closed and the glow plugs worked like they should. Above a certain temp, the switch opened and the glow plug relay was switched off and the glow plugs would not cycle. I'm not sure if adding a switch like this in the coolant will throw codes like the switch you put into the oil system. If your interested in more info PM me.

 

[Rosco]

I thought once you started driving and exceeded something like 18-20mph the grid heater kicked off.

 

[Tryingit]

The grid heater runs for 3 minutes and shuts down above 18 mph

 

[rbattelle]

The grid heater runs for 3 minutes and shuts down above 18 mph

Wow, they did change the programming. I wonder why?



-Ryan

 

[abranz]

Thanks for all the replys. My batteries have been discharged twice requiring external charging to start the truck. Brought it to the dealer and everything checks out fine according to them including the alternator. Yes the grids do shut off at about 18mph but as I said earlier many times I'm not in a position to drive that fast with it loaded on a logging road, etc.

I may be wrong but I believe their main purpose is to help the truck to start. Now for emmisions, they cycle for some predetermined time. Well, if it's cold outside my truck could idle for 15 minutes without the temp gauge moving. However I'm not sure what the input source is to control the grids.

Cycling that long over years has to take its tole on the alternator, batteries, and the grids themselves with each pulling about 100 amps.

I was able to interupt them on my 01 using a oil pressure switch cutting the grounds and it worked wonderful with full charging, lights, heater output, etc.

The new ecm software just doesn't like it and throws the check engine light on. Anyway thanks to all.

Anthony in Idaho

 

[rbattelle]

I really think your best option is to simply disconnect them completely and tolerate the bit of increased smoke on cold startups. Just be sure to use the block heater.



-Ryan

 

[JohnCooper]

Disconnecting the grids will have the same effect as interupting the ground, the ECM will still throw codes. I believe he is trying to find a way to avoid throwing codes.

 

[onstottc]

I wonder if there is an easy way to fool the PCM into thinking the truck has exceeded 18mph? Use a circuit to generate a false reading on the speed sensor line?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

That's interesting, I got fed up with the overly aggressive grid heater cycling program so I disconnected mine on my '03. Did not throw any codes. I only ran my grids from about November to February. I unhooked the small control wires going to the relays. Vaughn