He all, it's too dark out to see and my FSM is at a friends house. My truck starts fine even at 10 below without plugging in, but it is much easier and happier when it's plugged in. Here is my problem, sometimes when plugged in (overnight or longer) there is no effect on the truck. Sometimes there is. I have made sure that the extension cord has power to it, but sometimes it's not (apparently) getting to the truck.
Could the cord on my truck be going bad? Ground? Too dark and cold to look right now, so I thought some of the experts on here may have the answer. My grid heaters are working fine because I still have the fluctuating battery guage when it is cold, but not if it has been plugged in (and it works)
Thanks, Jeff

 

Yeah, I had to replace the plug on my cord last year because the wires were broken internally where the cord met the plug. I discovered that by wiggling the wire while checking resistance across the plug.

 

Jeff,
If you have a meter than can measure ohms the you should check to see if you have a connection between the 2 blade terminals. It should be low, most people would think its a short. If you don't have a connection, check the cord, I've seen them rub the belt and cut through the wire.

 

Thanks for the quick responces. I was going to add that I dont have a meter, (mine broke) but I reckon I can grab one tomorrow and check it. Thanks again.
Wanna, did u just replace the plug, or replace the whole cord.
Jeff

 

I just cut off about an inch of cord and put a new plug on. The break was right at the plug on mine.

 

thanks again all, I'll check her out in the morning for rubbing and put a meter to it.

 

Mine broke right at the plug, too. I also did what Wanna did and just replaced the plug.

I didn't have my meter the day that I was trying to diagnose the problem. I realized the "engine end" of the cord is not hard to remove, so I removed it. I then used the cord like an extension cord, and noticed that it didn't transmit power from one end to the other.

Wiggling the cord told me the rest of the story... both wires were broken internally and it was very floppy at the plug. Works great now.

 

MANY thanks to all, this is the kind of info that I needed to give me some sleep tonight instead of worrying all night. I'll let ya'll know how it ends up for me..... thanks again.. Jeff

 

An old trick that I have seen many big truck drivers do is to place their ear next to the plug as they plug it in, listening for the distinctive arcing noise as the current jumps the gap between prong and plug.

If they don't hear the arc, they test the cord.

Good cord, then suspect a bad heating element.

Of course, it would have to pop like a rifle for me to hear it.