Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Revisiting Grid Heater Bypass Mod

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Well I remember a while back someone was playing arround with a toggle on the heater grid relay set. I also remember the issue with setting codes. Practical Solutions is no longer making the Grid heater system saver as they are looking for a more viable Thermocouple option. The current company that makes 98% of this particular thermocouple has hiked the cost beyond the price of making the system practical to buy. So those of you that have em allready CUDOS and DO NOT EVER SELL EM!!!!!!! Or call them with info on another alternative. Anyhow has anyone had any success with a home made Heater grid saver??



I am in and out of the truck constantly now that the major phase of construction is over for this property at work so the grid seems to run forever especially with a 10 MPH speed limit so the truck never reaches 26 mph to shut them off. So I have been running the exhaust brake constantly but have to wait for egt's to come down to shut off again ... . Plus My battery voltage hangs at or about 9-10 volts all day and the poor alternator is getting a bit warm shal we say. There is my dilema :{

 

[abranz]

Grid heater bypass

Tim,

I have an 02', did the heater disconnect using the oil pressure switch mounted on top of the oil filter housing method and have thrown no codes. Nor has the check engine light illuminated. Had a similar issue as yours when logging, my top speed may be 5mph and the grids would continue to cycle for lengthy periods every time I started the truck. Takes 30 min tops, truck starts normally every time but the grids come off once oil pressure is present.

Can't remember who to credit for this as it was several years ago.

Tony

 

[Jerky]

Ditto - on the Oil Pressure switch grid heater cut off. Works great!

 

[Beast2B]

i wonder if Marco can modify the parameters for the grid? If the heater could be shut off at 3 or 5 mph, once you're under way it would stop cycling...

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Wow that's right I remember something now about you guys doin' the oil pressure sending unit deal. How did that go again? out of an 8 hour work day today they were running 6 of those hours All that powdercoating work sure ain't gonna like that thats for sure.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Tim, I just picked up a practical solution intake saver system from a guy that sold his truck.



Its sound like you can really use it. do you want it? its like brand new



Bob

 

[OPoole]

?? can you cut the speed limiter wire??

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

?? can you cut the speed limiter wire??

No, they will stay on regardless of speed then, until everything is up to temp.



Dan

 

[mhenon]

Well I remember a while back someone was playing arround with a toggle on the heater grid relay set. I also remember the issue with setting codes. Practical Solutions is no longer making the Grid heater system saver as they are looking for a more viable Thermocouple option. The current company that makes 98% of this particular thermocouple has hiked the cost beyond the price of making the system practical to buy. So those of you that have em allready CUDOS and DO NOT EVER SELL EM!!!!!!! Or call them with info on another alternative. Anyhow has anyone had any success with a home made Heater grid saver??



I am in and out of the truck constantly now that the major phase of construction is over for this property at work so the grid seems to run forever especially with a 10 MPH speed limit so the truck never reaches 26 mph to shut them off. So I have been running the exhaust brake constantly but have to wait for egt's to come down to shut off again ... . Plus My battery voltage hangs at or about 9-10 volts all day and the poor alternator is getting a bit warm shal we say. There is my dilema :{

Why don't you just pull the relay wires going to the grid. It takes all of 15 seconds and cost nothing. If you really wanted to get fancy... you could add a double pole/double throw toggle to the relays and only activate them when needed.

I started just pulling one wire from each relay. I do this every spring, when the temps warm a little, and re-attach them in the fall. If you get a cold morning and the grid isn't hooked up... the truck starts fine anyway. It takes some really cold temps to keep the Cummins from firing up.

Mike

 

[Steve Campbell]

Get yourself a Borg Warner S320 oil pressure switch, it is N. C. (normally closed, open on rise) or equivalent. There is a port on the oil cooler/filter assy, 1/8" NPT. Put the switch there ( for the auto's you will need a 90* elbow due to the extra coolant line for the transmission's liquid to liquid fluid cooler.



For the wiring, it is only the control ground circuit that you are breaking so 16 to 20 gauge wire will work. From the switch you'll want to run a wire to both of the ground terminals on the GH solenoid coils. They are the two that are towards the firewall on each solenoid. The wire can be run in series since the factory wiring is done the same way.



Sorry this is so late... . I was looking for aftermarket grid heater relays (something that will take the place of Dodge part #) and ran across this thread.

 

[Hohn]

Well I remember a while back someone was playing arround with a toggle on the heater grid relay set. I also remember the issue with setting codes. Practical Solutions is no longer making the Grid heater system saver as they are looking for a more viable Thermocouple option. The current company that makes 98% of this particular thermocouple has hiked the cost beyond the price of making the system practical to buy. So those of you that have em allready CUDOS and DO NOT EVER SELL EM!!!!!!! Or call them with info on another alternative. Anyhow has anyone had any success with a home made Heater grid saver??



I am in and out of the truck constantly now that the major phase of construction is over for this property at work so the grid seems to run forever especially with a 10 MPH speed limit so the truck never reaches 26 mph to shut them off. So I have been running the exhaust brake constantly but have to wait for egt's to come down to shut off again ... . Plus My battery voltage hangs at or about 9-10 volts all day and the poor alternator is getting a bit warm shal we say. There is my dilema :{

On my '02, the speed for the grid heater shutoff is 17mph.



Also, even after exceeding that speed, they will still cycle even at a warm idle to reduce emissions. They do this even in warm weather with a warm engine.



It's normal.



Justin

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Guys, Bob Wagner is my cycle savier! I am amazed at how they keep that pesky draw at bay. Today with highs @ 11* they did NOT once cycle all day and the lowest the needle got on the temp guage was juuuuust off the cold line. Granted my exhaust brake got a heck of a workout but hey my batteries are not :{ anymore they are Oo.