Plug-in heater problem

[Diesel Dan]

Hey Guys,

I have been plugging in my truck a little bit these days(5-15degrees) and all of a sudden had a problem w/ my GFI outlet in the garage. It would immediatly trip after resetting. I have been troubleshooting the circuit and all of a sudden it hits me... ... ..... The truck is plugged in. Un plug it and no more GFI problem. Unfortuneatly i now have a truck problem. Does anybody know anything about this system and how much $ and trouble it is to replace or fix?



FYI the truck has 97K miles on it.



Any suggestions?





TIA



DD

 

[Pawpaw]

A GFCI trips when it detects current flow to ground. Since your truck is sitting on 4 (or 6) big rubber insulators, its finding ground through your extension cord.



Check both ends of your extension cord for dirt and/or corrosion between the prongs and the ground pin. Also check the truck's block heater plug for the same thing.



If you don't find anything there, unplug everything and crawl under the truck to disconnect the cord from the block heater itself. Check that plug (and the heater) for corrosion too, then plug back in and see if the GFCE I trips with the heater itself still disconnected.



The problem is most likely your extension cord or the block heater cord. Don't spend the money on a new heater until you make sure that is it.



Its also quite possible you just have water in one of the sockets (extension cord or wall plug).



Bob

 

[raksasa]

Checking the extension cord is "low hanging fruit". I'd grab a nice warm and dry one from the house and substitute it for your existing cord before troubleshooting the block heater. On my heater cord (the one from the heater to the bumper), the protective cap is always filling with water or ice and needs to be cleaned out daily.



Jon

 

[Diesel Dan]

Dang,

I was hoping you guys were on to something ... ..... unfortuneatly the extension cord checked out fine. I have got to get under the truck next but it was too cold and dark tonight to get serious under there.



Anyone know about the plug-in heater system on this truck as the easy fix isn't happening.



Thanks again for the imput.



DD

 

[BimmerAgent]

I'm not an electrician, but I do know that those GFI can go bad, and are also very finicky. Does it blow only with the truck ? Does it blow with another type of appliance plugged in to it ? Are there other devides drawing amperage on the same branch circuit ? Just a couple of ideas to ponder. Bruce

 

[AlK]

I second BimmerAgent.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Hello Guys



I origionally suspected the GFI. It has been replaced. Yes their are other items on the curcuit. I. E. Pellet stove, Freezer, sml floresent workbench lights. Not anywhere near too much for a 20 amp circuit. This has been working perfect for 2 years. In the troubleshooting that i mentioned in the orig post, i isollated the circuit. (disconnected all other items on the circuit) When i plug in the truck it trips the breaker in less then 1/2 of a second. There is obviously a short in the truck system not a problem with the GFI or extension cords. I should have mentioned this at lenghth earlier. Sorry



Again, Does anybody know anything about the trucks block heater system??????



Thanks



DD

 

[MacHaggis]

Try a search on the block heater, and you should come up with some good threads with pics and location. IIRC the heater threads in on the passenger side, just under the manifold a little aft of No. 2, and the heater end of the cord is held in place by a locking, twist ring.



Not much to go wrong with the heater, short of a complete failure, like on a domestic water heater.



From my own experience, the only buzz I ever got plugging in was when the end of the truck cord was wet or corroded. I got smart late and started plugging in the truck end first, then plugging the wall end in. It was NOT a GFCI outlet, so it didn't trip, but I'm sure it would have tripped a GFCI.



I suppose it's also possible that the lock-ring that holds the cord to the heater element could somehow have gotten some moisture iunder it. Your short could be coming from there.

 

[fkovalski]

... Check both ends of your extension cord for dirt and/or corrosion between the prongs and the ground pin. Also check the truck's block heater plug for the same thing...

Dittos on the cleanliness of the plugs! I had this issue due to road grime seeping into the "cover thingy" at the plug end on the truck. I would use BraKleen and a toothbrush on the prongs then use an emory board on the plug flats. I would only have to do this 2 or 3 times a year and it would work great.

 

[JLovas]

Sounds like you'll have to check the cord that goes from the heating element to the front of the pickup (its approx a 5' cord). You might have a place where the insulation has worn and is making contact with the frame of your pickup. If your cord is o. k. , then you'll have to replace the block heater itself.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Fortunately this is a simple system with only two parts. The heater and the cord, both are easy to replace but you'll have to drain water to replace the heater. Is there anybody you know that would let you use their cord to see if it's the problem?

Also, you haven't started your truck while the heater was plugged in have you?

This can burn it out quick.

BTW, where the heck is Mead?



Scotty

 

[Diesel Dan]

Thanks for the replys



MacHaggas,

We have had a bit of snow lately so i will check out the plug for corrosion.



JLovas,

I will give the cord a good checking over.



Prarie Dog,

I have run it briefly with it plugged in. Didn't know this could cause a problem.



Mead is between Spokane and Deer Park off hwy 2



Thanks again



DD