I recently purchased a '93 dodge on Ebay that was equipped with a Greasecar system. I have not utilized the system (which appears to have had no prior use). I intend to remove this system when warmer weather rolls around. I state this as I do not know what mods the prior owner may have made during install.

My immediate issue is that the "wait to start" light stays on for a considerable period of time after starting - even after you hear the typical click in the engine compartment when it should go off. After driving 50 miles in 30 degree weather, The "check engine" light will come on, start to flicker (with increasing frequency) and then both lights go off. I know the grid is energized when this behavior occurs as the voltage indicated on the dash is low and when the WTS and CE lights go out, the needle returns to the "normal" position. The heater does not "cycle" in the manner it should.The problem is obvious - if I don't drive the vehicle a sufficient distance after the lights go out, the battery has insufficient voltage to start the truck. Further - I've actually had instances where the temperature outside dropped into the teens and the grid heater came back on. I blocked the radiator on cold days to insure the engine temperature is in the proper range. Is there a way of disabling the grid heater until I can figure out what is happening? My gut feeling is that the thermostat is stuck open as the truck does not have an issue when temps are above 40.

 

Have you checked the fuses and inspected your wiring connections? Both lights coming on like that would make me suspect of a short, possibly in the fusible links on the drivers side of the engine compartment or in the harness feeding the large red connector you'll find on the back of the circuit board controlling those lights.



.OK this shows that the voltmeter and grids are functional, but again makes me suspect a short somewhere
Have you tested your alternator? is it charging sufficiently?
A low charge status can cause the check engine light to come on, and if the grids are pulling power and the battery is pulling, I could see this happening.


How are you determining this?

Mine can do this too, if I start it and shut it off before the battery has recharged two or three times in a row, I wont be able to start it that 3rd or 4th time..but I havent yet had this issue since replacing my alternator..
Mine has also done this ONCE, when it was about 07*f outside, but it doesnt get that cold here that often so cant say if its normal or not
.I don't believe the thermostat being stuck open or not will have any effect on the grid heaters cycling.
You can disable the heaters by disconecting the grid heater relays if your sure thats the best fix for you..'


Fill out your signature with all the info on your truck, it will make it easier for folks to offer the best help if you have a question.

 

The grid heaters aren't supposed to operate above 40*f....

 

I haven't checked the alternator as function appears to be OK - the "recovery time" of the battery is rapid after the grid is no longer energized.

"Cycling" of the grid is not evident on the volt meter. In my other 93 the needle swings and dimming of the lights occurs as it cycles. The needle just stays "buried" until the grid becomes de-energized.

I currently own 2 Gen 1 and an Gen 2 and I familiar with "Normal" behavior when cold starting these trucks. The persistence of the WTS light is observed to be strongly temperature dependent - typically, once the light goes out, the truck will start and the WTS light will behave normally (i.e. go out after a few seconds) without the grid coming on. This behavior only occurs after the truck has been subjected to cold temperatures over night.

I will fill out info on trucks - Thanx

 

Ok, I have nothing usefull to add now.. sounds like you've already thought of everything I had.. I'd still look at the charging system tho, even if its just to eliminate it..then at your grid relays..

 

No need to apologize! I'm a tad frustrated as I don't know what mods were made to this truck. It was an auction vehicle prior to Ebay. There are several toggle switches on the dash that I have to decipher when time permits. What is the easiest way to temporarily disable the grid heaters?

 

To the best of my knowledge, simply disconnecting the relays will do it..