Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Intermitten HIGH Amp draw during idle ????

[Katmandu]

When my truck is at idle, I've been noticing the Amp gauge drawing down BELOW 14 Volts in a cyclical pattern.

Meaning every (2) minutes or so, it will show a HIGH Amperage draw down (gauge moves left and the lights dim). It will stay in this draw down for about 15-20 seconds or so and then return to normal.

It's acting like heating element is cycling On-Off. There are NO gauge lights coming on and only the AMP gauge shows the suspect activity.

My truck no longer has the Fuel Pre-Heater element. It melted last year and removed it completely a few months ago. I also recently had the alternator, batteries checked out and terminals all cleaned. All checked out just fine.

What is causing this intermitten HIGH Amperage draw on my truck's electrical system ???

 

[RHARVEY]

How long has it been doing it and does it quit after a while??? If its when the motor is cold I would guess that its the grid heater cycling



Rick

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Sounds like the grid heater cycling to me, too.

 

[Katmandu]

How long has it been doing it and does it quit after a while??? If its when the motor is cold I would guess that its the grid heater cycling

Rick

I really just noticed it a couple of weeks ago.

It does not quit. Even when the engine is warmed up. I suspect it is still cycling while above idle as well.

Is there a thermostatic switch or time delay switch for the heater grid ?? If so, where are the located ??

 

[Katmandu]

Sounds like the grid heater cycling to me, too.

That's what I'm wondering too.

Is it normal for the heater grid to pull the Amp gauge that far down and dim the lights ??

Would a bad (shorted) battery cause this condition ???

 

[chazj]

On my 02 the heater grid will dim the lights while it cycles. It cycles "on and off" for several minutes even after I begin driving.

 

[Katmandu]

On my 02 the heater grid will dim the lights while it cycles. It cycles "on and off" for several minutes even after I begin driving.

Are the grid heaters "supposed" to STOP cycling AFTER the engine is warmed up OR do they cycle continuously depending on the outside temperature ??

Is there a thermostat for the grid heaters or are they on a timer ??

 

[LHastings]

The grid heater draws about 120 amps. It cycle as long as the temperature is low , I am not certain but I think it is around 50 deg F. When you start driiving and get above 18 to 22 mph the cycling should quit. Mine would come on and not stop heating. When I got out to raise the hood to check it out it would quit.

Finally I reseated the connector to the AIT sensor on the Intake manifolds and my problem went away.

 

[Katmandu]

The grid heater draws about 120 amps. It cycle as long as the temperature is low , I am not certain but I think it is around 50 deg F. When you start driiving and get above 18 to 22 mph the cycling should quit.

So it's "Normal" for the Heater Grid to cycle whenever the ambient temperature is BELOW 59 F and the vehicle speed is BELOW 18 MPH ?? Correct ???

 

[EHarvey]

So it's "Normal" for the Heater Grid to cycle whenever the ambient temperature is BELOW 59 F and the vehicle speed is BELOW 18 MPH ?? Correct ???

funny you say that,, my truck does the exact same thing but will only do it for about five minutes. dindnt notice as much in the summer but now that its getting colder it has been more noticeable. soo it makes sense to me must be the grid heater.

 

[The patriot]

So it's "Normal" for the Heater Grid to cycle whenever the ambient temperature is BELOW 59 F and the vehicle speed is BELOW 18 MPH ?? Correct ???

That's correct.

Mine stayed on once, when I raised the hood they went off.

I checked the connections and havent had a problem since.

 

[Moose Truck]

Maybe?

So it's "Normal" for the Heater Grid to cycle whenever the ambient temperature is BELOW 59 F and the vehicle speed is BELOW 18 MPH ?? Correct ???

On a 12 valve, it's normal for the grids to fire when the Intake is under 59F. They then shut down till the next start under 59F . On a 24 Vlave, The grids fire up under 59F at the start, on continue until the truck is driven over 18 to 22 MPH. If you sit still they will cycle continusly untill you go over 20, the Batterys go dead or they burn out. Bob Wagner sold a kit to modify this bizzare behaviour, but the tempature switches for it are now dis-continued :{

 

[Katmandu]

On a 12 valve, it's normal for the grids to fire when the Intake is under 59F. They then shut down till the next start under 59F . On a 24 Vlave, The grids fire up under 59F at the start, on continue until the truck is driven over 18 to 22 MPH. If you sit still they will cycle continusly untill you go over 20, the Batterys go dead or they burn out. Bob Wagner sold a kit to modify this bizzare behaviour, but the tempature switches for it are now dis-continued :{

My 12 Valver is behaving like a 24 Valver then. ??? It does NOT STOP cycling after the engine has been warmed up.

Why would Dodge program them to behave differently ??