Issues with dimming lights at startup

[DNewell]

Hey all! I'm new to Dodge and also diesel trucks. I just bought a 98. 5 24v 2500 with NV4500 with 108k miles. I love the truck! My only issue is that when I start the truck, it seems the electrical system dims and brightens on a periodic basis. I'd say it does this every 10 seconds or so. It doesn't appear to affect the drivability of the vehicle, and I forgot to check to see if it does this after the truck warms up. Has anyone experienced this issue? If so, what was the fix? Or, is it even a problem and not just the normal for this vehicle.

 

[RustyJC]

Run a search on "grid heaters". It's your intake grid heaters cycling (which they do in cool/cold weather) - perfectly normal.



Rusty

 

[Hohn]

Yeah, the intake heaters can draw up to 190 AMPS of current!! That's why your lights go dim when they cycle on and off.

jlh

 

[DNewell]

Aha, that's what it is! It sounds like there's a clicking in the engine compartment, so that would be the reason. I was just a little concerned last night. Darn nice truck, glad to become part of the family that is Cummin's Diesel powered Dodge's.

 

[Grizzly]

Very normal at start up.

 

[Cigar John]

I wondered the same thing when I got mine.

Thought I had a bad alternator. :{

Finally broke down and read the owners manual.

It's normal.

 

[DNewell]

Yeah, I guess I should have read my owner's manual. I got lucky and the truck actually has it. Probably would give me a bunch of useful info.

 

[MYeary]

I also had the same question, got my 99 Ram when the weather was warm and didn't notice this till the cooler temps. started. (Good Question)

 

[Grizzly]

Here's another weird thing about the 2nd generations, but normal. The temperature gauge moves from cold to hot in about 30, maybe 40 seconds while at highway speed.

 

[fox]

Here's another weird thing about the 2nd generations, but normal. The temperature gauge moves from cold to hot in about 30, maybe 40 seconds while at highway speed.

I wouldn't accept it as normal. Common, yes.

A consistent water temp is best for long life.

Change the thermistat.

 

[Hohn]

I wouldn't accept it as normal. Common, yes.
A consistent water temp is best for long life.
Change the thermistat.

It's NORMAL for these trucks, even with a new t-stat.

The reason is that the cooling system has such a large capacity. When the 'stat opens, it connects the 190° coolant with the cold coolant in the radiator. It doesn't take long for this mixing to drop the temp low enough to close the 'stat and whole process repeats itself.

If you're towing or working the truck, you'll notice this lessens or even goes entirely away.

I've tried a lot of ways to keep heat in these engines, but in cold weather, it's tough. I currently run fanless with a blocked radiator, and STILL can't get it over 190!

 

[RustyJC]

I currently run fanless with a blocked radiator, and STILL can't get it over 190!

Justin,



Ummm... . is your intercooler blocked as well? That really might not be a good thing with your setup if the old right foot gets heavy!! :-laf



Rusty

 

[dslmacdown]

Justin, I am in the same boat as you running fanless but I only block the radiator for very cold weather (teens and colder). I can't get over 190 in slow traffic on a 60F day. I did get it warm one time, I was in Denver and it was in the 70's and I got stuck in stop and go traffic downtown for 20 mins. The temp gauge was 3/4 to overheat, but once she got moving again the temp cooled right off to normal.



Chris