Thanks for all of the information. The .jpg of the chart was very informative. I will chase down a price for the temp sensor. My grids do kick in even when it is well into the 40 degree temp range. Plus 10 Celsius. There are several hints that my voltage fluctuations are due to the grids. The timing is about what the chart suggests. Also, I recently lowered my idle speed. I can now see an increase in voltage as engine rpms increase and the alternator tries to keep up with the drain. This effect was not noticeable before. It is really amazing how much a person can learn about these trucks.

 

You might want to check your voltage regulator before you go to alot of trouble ... I had a 91 that done the same thing .. acted like it was cycling but wasn't .. turned out to be a bad voltage regulator ... very cheap and easy fix .. mounted right on the firewall on the 91s if I remember right..

Dave

 

My grid heater just started acting strange. I first noticed it the other nite when I drove to the store. When I first started the engine the grids did the normal cycling. I was at the store about 5 minutes and darned if the grid didn't start cycling again. At the time I just attributed it to the fact I had driven only a couple miles, one of them down hill, and nothing really warmed up. Well it happened again today, but this time the engine was warm.

I guess what The Old Man's getting at is - - Anyone know the part number for the relay?

Pat

 

Hey you 'Ole duffer.... before you start bangin out the bucks, get under the hood and re-do your elect. connections.
Make sure they are all real clean and tight. Unscrew the rear temp sensor on the intake manifold give it a spray of electrical contact cleaner and blow dry with some air, then re-install it, making sure it's connection is good to.
Go from there. If it still does it, then unplugg the sensor for the time being and you can get by running without it for now.
I'll go get the part number/source for the relays unless someone here has it handy.
They are/can be very hard to find...

Pastor Bob.

edit: The grid heater power solenoids for 1st gen trucks are no longer available through Dodge. The original manufacturer of the solenoids, White-Rodgers, still continues to make them. They are sold by White-Rodgers under the name Stancor. Go to the following URL to find a Stancor distributor near you.

www.stancor.com
As far as I know, the other components for the grid heater system are still available through Dodge or Cummins. The grid heater power solenoids for 1st gen trucks are no longer available through Dodge. The original manufacturer of the solenoids, White-Rodgers, still continues to make them.

 

[quote author=Bushy link=board=9;threadid=22160;start=15#msg219960 date=1070860640]
Hey you 'Ole duffer.... before you start bangin out the bucks,

Good to hear from ya, Pastor. I'll go ahead and unplug it for now and start the electrical thingy the next time the sun shineth here in Seattle.

Pat [/quote]

 

Searching always seems to pull great info.

i thought my truck was starting a new problem because recently her ein sacramento it has been getting colder in the mornings now and when it hit 43 outside the other morning(it hasnt been below 60 outside since i got my truck) i started my truck and it did this same cycle issue as talked about above. relived it is normal for the trucks when cold.

thanks DTR and the members.

jiMMy

 

its just your heater grids. heck, mine started doing it last week for the first time this summer because of a cold overnight we had! not to worry, just let it warm up while you drink your coffee and then take off!