Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Intake heaters

[Max]

At 69000 miles the heater relays failed, the heaters remained on during the time the engine was running and while it was turned off drawing approx. 100 amps.



Town and Country Dodge did a great job diagnosing and repairing the problem.



The indicaton was full voltage discharge and check gauge light on.



May be good idea to install battery switch on selenoid supply to deenergize should this occur.

 

[RBallard]

I had sort of the same thing happen to me but my truck was a lot younger. I parked it, on a cold day at work, and returned about an hour later to get something. I though, wow, one of the neighbors is burning coal. 3 hours later I go to leave, what the crap, my key fob isn't unlocking the doors. Figures the battery would die so for the first time I manually unlocked the door. That's strange, my interior light didn't come on, man those people are really burning coal. Hit the ignition, dead silence, man what is that smell. Uh Oh! My batteries are dead. I open the hood, theres the smell, my air intake was still too hot to touch and it's black. The insulation on the wires for the intake are chard. I am amazed nothing else other than the wire insulation was damaged. I went back to the dealer but they told me it wasn't covered by the cummins 100k warranty.



No doubt those jokers are dangerous, I though about connecting LED's with the relay just to monitor there operation and to make sure they don't get left on again!



Bob