Racfan9

I was wondering if there is anyway to tell if your block heater is working? I just installed the electric cord on my 2007 5.9 anyway just curiuos.

Thanks, Racfan9

madhat

You should hear the coolant bubbling after a few minutes, and you can touch the block near the heater and it will be warm. If you have an edge with attitude or another monitor that tells you what the engine temp is digitally, you can look on that before you crank the truck, I remember my showing around 100 degrees before I started it, I think.


That, and the truck should start a lot easier, and the heater will almost be warm when you get in it...

ChrisM55

After it's been plugged in all night my grid heater indicator (wait to start) is not on when I turn on the key.

Chris

madhat

That may very due to location, tho. Sometimes mine comes on, sometimes it does not.

ChrisM55

when it was -2 here a few weeks ago it never came on when the truck was plugged in. Edge said the negine temp was 94

i would say if you have yours plugged and the grids come on before you start either the extension cord is WAY too small or it has a problem, or there is a heater issue

Chris

madhat

I may not have had it plugged in long enough, either...

madhat

Try this, too...

HEATER
If the unit does not operate, possible causes can be
either the power cord or the heater element. Test the
power cord for continuity with a 110-volt voltmeter or
110-volt test light. Test heater element continuity
with an ohmmeter or a 12-volt test light.


If you have to remove it, I can give you the removal and install procedures, but it's very simple... just take it out... might want to drain some coolant first, and the t-stat would have to be open for the coolant drain on the rad to affect the coolant in the block...

ChrisM55

yeah, it takes a while once you plug it in. Another thing too is that if it is dark you can see an ark inside of the plug when you plug it in or unplug it if the truck is cold

Chris

jerry007

It takes a couple hours for mine to get a litlw warm, at least 2-3 hrs.

Scotty

I will get the wait to start light in very cold weather. Right now it does not come on and we are around -15C. When its in the -25 and colder, it comes on even when plugged in.

Scotty

Glasshog

No wait to start lights for me either. It stays plugged in over night when it's cold, but it's not ever below zero around here. Also, I keep the defroster open/on and it keepsd the windshield clear of frost or ice.

buzzinhalfdoz

after 1.5-2 hours the water neck will be warm...

DaveB.inVa

After a few hours it makes the intake air horn warm! Admittedly I don't really need a block heater in my location but its nice to be able to get cab heat a lot quicker.