Is your block heater working?

[BK]

I just had one long start cycle, but had my block heater plugged in for about 3 hours. Usually it would be a very short cycle after being plugged in that long.



When I returned home I checked the current flow, and it was a little low, but not much, just below 5 amps AC. . usually about 5. 8amps...

uhhm a little low, but what the heck it's working.



I turned off the outlet switch and honkered down for the storm.



Next day, turn it on and decided to check it again, no current draw, zero.



Went out side, knee deep in snow drifts and checked the plug, yup still in.

Plugged it in and out a few times... wake up the contacts. . but still no current draw.



The prongs on my heater plug on the truck are just tarnished. . looked like an older penny.



So went and got the cordless dremel with a small wire brush, cleaned of the tarnish, checked my current again, back up to the 5. 8 amps, and back to a short cycle after being plugged in for an hour and a half.



Except for the tarnish, it all looks in great shape... I figured the cleaning action of plugging in the plug should help self clean the connection, but nope...



Your plug might look good, but that tarnish is not conductive.

If the extension cord outlet is in bad shape too, it will cause either no connection or a weak connection as well. A weak or high resistance connection can cause the plug and extension cord outlet to melt as well too.



Just a little heads up and warning for those winter starts...

 

[SRadke]

A thin coat of dielectric grease is a good thing as well.

 

[TORQUE THIS]

Also check the connection on the block. Mine would loosen up no matter how many times I would tighten it back up.

Now I have a Webasto... no more pluggin in...

 

[BoostdCTD]

Well actually... no, mine didn't this morning. I normally leave when it is dark out so I just look for the little blue spark as I unplug it, but lately haven't really seen anything vibrant. I started it up this morning and it seemed really cold so I looked into it, the circuit breaker blew (air compressor must have kicked on at the same time)... I really should just get a lighted end extension cord.



Those Webasto units sound nice but that's a lot of dough for one.

 

[Signal73]

Now I have a Webasto... no more pluggin in...

Yup were all just a bunch of contact cleaning phesants

 

[BK]

Well actually... no, mine didn't this morning. I normally leave when it is dark out so I just look for the little blue spark as I unplug it, but lately haven't really seen anything vibrant. I started it up this morning and it seemed really cold so I looked into it, the circuit breaker blew (air compressor must have kicked on at the same time)... I really should just get a lighted end extension cord.



Those Webasto units sound nice but that's a lot of dough for one.

I thought about the lighted one too. . good to make sure it's on, but doesn't help with the bad connection, it will still be lit. Would need one that's wire after the plug on the truck to be really sure.

That just might be a good aftermarket product. I think Geno's is selling a replacement cord set, just buy one of them and wire a neon to it and place the neon out near the plug.



Wont solve the plug in the block from coming loose or knowing it's loose, back to having to sense current to be able to detect that as well.

I've never have had that happen to mine or my buddies. Geez , that's a pain.



I've used the blue spark method too ! LOL.



The dielectric grease is a good idea.



I've seen those little oil burners advertised, nice stuff, but I can't justify the bucks. But soo nice and handy.

 

[Sri Ram]

Also, if you need a new block heater cord for 89-93, try Cummins p/n:1-04798889