1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

grid heaters don't work

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 19, 2013 | 07:01 PM
  #1  
ponch russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: tooele utah
grid heaters don't work

my 93 grid heaters quit working. when you turn the key on i have no wait to start light no check engine. if you turn past on to start the W.T.S light and water in fuel light comes on if you let it sit with the key on. sometimes the relay on the drivers side fender will start to click rapidly and then turn on the grid heaters.if you just start the truck the wait to start light flashes all the time.
I have checked all the the grounds and cleaned them. tested all the fusible links.have power on one side of the small wires on both heater solenoids. power to one big wire on top of both solenoids. Thanks in advance
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2013 | 08:32 PM
  #2  
JD730's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 1
From: Belvidere, NJ
Had the same thing happen on my 93 a few years ago, the PCM that sits behind the battery went bad. Started with the relay clicking rapidly when cold and got worse until it stopped working.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2013 | 09:00 PM
  #3  
ponch russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: tooele utah
so is the PCM the computer
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2013 | 07:24 AM
  #4  
JD730's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 1
From: Belvidere, NJ
Originally Posted by ponch russ
so is the PCM the computer
Correct.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2013 | 06:03 PM
  #5  
Dave F's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Central Washington; 2 hours from n e fn ware
I see your truck is about identical to mine. I think the computer runs the AC, charging sys, cruise, grid heaters, and maby the speedo. Everything is pretty easy to wire to manual except the speedo. I just dont know about the speedo.
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2013 | 03:26 PM
  #6  
rockmike's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Pasco,wa.
I found that wire the PCM grounds to operate the grid heater and rigged it on a toggle switch to ground and it works! external volt reg is taking care of charging duties.My a/c dont work and no cruise.I modified my gauge cluster and run and older cable drivin speedo head in the cluster its within 2-3 MPH and most important to me is I have a working Odometer...FWIW the gauge cluster looks OE you cant tell Ive screwed with it
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2013 | 10:20 AM
  #7  
barrytransport's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Monticello IN
you should change your toggle switch to a momentary push button just in case you bump it and it stays on. Nothin worse then coming out to a dead battery from the grid heaters staying on
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2013 | 11:26 AM
  #8  
rattlerbob5.9's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Originally Posted by barrytransport
you should change your toggle switch to a momentary push button just in case you bump it and it stays on. Nothin worse then coming out to a dead battery from the grid heaters staying on
Good idea because it could be even worse when stuck on and the wiring catches fire = no more truck!!
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2013 | 12:56 PM
  #9  
Dave F's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Central Washington; 2 hours from n e fn ware
Originally Posted by rockmike
I found that wire the PCM grounds to operate the grid heater and rigged it on a toggle switch to ground and it works! external volt reg is taking care of charging duties.My a/c dont work and no cruise.I modified my gauge cluster and run and older cable drivin speedo head in the cluster its within 2-3 MPH and most important to me is I have a working Odometer...FWIW the gauge cluster looks OE you cant tell Ive screwed with it
was this one of the wires coming off of the solenoids? Crafty solution to the speedo!
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2013 | 06:58 PM
  #10  
ponch russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: tooele utah
Checked the PCM from the info in the sticky. The PCM is bad I will order a replacement. Thank you all for the info. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2013 | 06:32 PM
  #11  
ponch russ's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: tooele utah
Its about 50 degrees outside and moved my truck and everything works again. The grid heaters work and I have AC and cruise. The battery is charging now and everything seems to work. We cant figure out why it would work in the warmer weather. Have any ideas of what it could be?
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2013 | 08:11 PM
  #12  
j_martin's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,479
Likes: 211
From: Isanti, MN
Originally Posted by ponch russ
Its about 50 degrees outside and moved my truck and everything works again. The grid heaters work and I have AC and cruise. The battery is charging now and everything seems to work. We cant figure out why it would work in the warmer weather. Have any ideas of what it could be?
50° is about the high limit. A few degrees warmer and it won't cycle.

Also, it's the manifold temp that's being read, so if it is warming up outside, the temp that's being sensed might be lower.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CaledoniaOutlaw
1st Gen. Ram - All Topics
6
Feb 16, 2015 10:13 PM
00Dog
3rd Gen Engine and Drivetrain -> 2003-2007
4
May 11, 2006 12:23 PM
806 Southern In
24 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
3
Mar 12, 2004 06:11 AM
Hoss
3rd Generation Ram - Non Drivetrain - All Years
16
Oct 20, 2003 09:13 AM
Cumminsdude
General Diesel Discussion
16
Mar 25, 2003 11:58 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:08 AM.