Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Intake grid air heater

[Steve Robinson]

I find my volt meter does not cycle charge/discharge etc. during cold morning start-ups. What generally happens is the volt meter shows a state of discharge until I have driven a shot way. I had the alternator checked and it is fine the tech in the generator said he thought the gauge was probably at fault. I don't know. I also replaced the two batteries but the condition continues.



My thought is, what ever mechanism cycling the grid heater on and off is not doing so and therefore, the heater is staying on and the volt meter is indicating the power use. Does this sound right to any of you? Also, what is the fix for this problem? Thanks for the help.

 

[NDaniels]

I'm not sure what year truck you have, but my 98. 5 cycles the voltmeter untill I hit 20mph, or so. My 05 does not- just shows discharge, or no charge untill it kicks off- then it will rise. I think maybe yours is new enough that it also does this... what year is your truck?





Also, you should be able to hear/see the cycling of the heater grid while your sitting still- It draws a ton of power and is really noticable.

 

[Steve Robinson]

Thanks for taking a look at the issue my truck is having and for getting back to me. My truck is a 98. 5 and it has (until recently) shown clearly, the cycling of the grid heaters through the volt meter as well as headlight dimming etc. I am now just about to go outside and begin to do some more direct checking with me multimeter to see if there might indeed be a problem with stuck relay(s). If this isn't the obvious problem, then I need to try to figure where the signal originates which instructs the relays to open and close. Any idea? thanks again, Steve

 

[NDaniels]

Here is a link I found with a quick search on trouble shooting it: Ram Diesel Manifold Heater Problems



I've never had to mess with it, but it does sound like yours isn't cycling... what seems wierd is that it kicks off? You'd think if a relay was stuck- it would stay on all the time??