BIG&BAD

hey guys
i have been noticing that my lights dont dim and my voltage gauge doenst move anymore
when i start my truck up cold

its used to do it all the time when it got to about 30 degrees
is there a fuse or relay for the grid heaters? what controls the gridheaters?


thanks for your time guys
i appreciate it
Bruce

INJECTOR JACK

Does the wait to start light come on?

infidel

Most common grid problem is the small trigger wires falling off the two relays almost under the driver's side battery. They just slip over a threaded post, a little squeeze with some pliers before putting them back on will tighten them up.

If you are plugging in the block heater for long enough the grids won't come on at all.

berner

The haynes manual does an excellent job of running a check through the whole grid heater system. I ended up replacing the solenoids. Only one was burnt, but DC only sells them in pairs. Go figure.

farmer dave

I had the same problem with my last truck. The grid heater relay was bad. I didn't know it until it was about -10 and truck hardly started. It is a easy fix.

infidel

Next time skip the dealer and buy a starter solenoid for an old Ford from any auto parts. Very heavy duty for under $10.

doodah

I think I need to know more infidel!lol how old of ford? starter solinoid?

vtailflyer

My 93 Aerostar has a real good starter solenoid that would work for the heaters...

wonder if my wife would mind

BIG&BAD

yes the lights comes on and stays on for about 30sec "i just tried to start it w/o pluging it in - no go

when i went hunting in nov it got down to about 30 and i could not turn it on without have to jump it to another battery then finally it turned over and came to life with a most impressive smoke show

im not sure what wrong with my truck cause i cant get it to turn on without a boost

im going to get my batterys checked, replace the cable that connects the batterys, get a starter solenoid for a 93 aerostar, and check under the drives side battery, and also rebuild my alternator

i just want to know that my truck will start when i really need it to

if you can help me out some more that be great
thanks for all the replys and help

berner

I should have said "relays" not solenoids. Under the drivers side battery. They come in pairs. Old Ford solenoids work for this application??

INJECTOR JACK

I guess they would because they handle high current for a period of time so they should work. Sounds like you have battery trouble as well if you have to jump start it. I rebuilt my alt not long ago , it's no sweet if you can find the parts. Have you tested to see if you are getting power at the grid when the wait to start light is on? Also check your grounds as well a easy thing to over look.

twoweeks1

Injector jack where did you get the parts for your rebuild? how much were they. Mine sometimes surges in power and have always in the back of my mind thought the end is near. Thanks wayne

kd460

Don't want to speak for Injector jack, but heres a few sources:

http://www.fixinrams.com/index.html

http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm

And if you need replacement, check these babies out:

http://www.mean-green.com/index.html

Good luck, Kevin

INJECTOR JACK

Thats the 1st time I have looked at the Foster truck parts. They have some good stuff. I have used the heavy duty starter parts in my Dads 98 they work great, bought them from PDR though.

infidel

Yes they work excellent. For some reason when relays are rated for high amps they're sometimes called solenoids but what you want is in fact a relay. Ford used the exact same relay in every one of it's vehicles since 12 volts was introduced in the 50's until late in the '80s. They must have made billions of them, very easy and cheap to come by. If an auto parts guy doesn't know what a Ford starter relay is he might need help tying his shoes also.

The relays Foster truck sells are not rated high enough for the grids.