What should the temp gauge read after being plugged in for five hours?My heater doesn't seem to be working ,anyone know how to check it or known issues with it?Thanks

 

My answer is the temp gauge shouldn't read anything. Mine doesn't and never has. Same with my Honda accord that has a block heater.

All it does is take the edge off enough to make for easier starting in really cold temps.

When you plug it in when the trucks cold you should hear a sizzling noise for a second or 2.

Also a good practice is to use cords that have lit ends. That way you are 100% sure that there is juice. That has saved me more than once. Reset the GFI and yer good to go.

 

Hmmm I've never heard that. It used to not cycle the grid heaters so long when it was plugged in. Now it cycles them 20-30 seconds just like it's not plugged in. Truck still starts fine, but it also has new batteries. Other than continuity at the plug, what can I check to make sure the heater is doing its job?

 

should it blow warm air through the heater right away(warmer than if not plugged in)

 

Mine doesn't start blowing warm air until the temp gauge starts to unbudge.

 

My temp gauge never moves til I get about a 1/2 mile down the road. Try feeling the upper radiator hose mine is always pretty warm.

 

plug it in and check the amperage going through that cable when you do. (thats all i do)

its a lil colder here than most places but i've never had mine blow warm air. sometimes i can get to the shop first when its this cold and it still dosen't feel hot (5 min drive).

only thing i ever notice is the wait to start thing isn't near as long.

 

Plug it in and when you go out to start it pop the hood first and feel the head...should be warm to the touch.

Doesn't blow warm air on start up til the temp gauge starts to move and the temp gauge will not show a temp either with it plugged in on start up.

Mine will start moving the temp gauge about 1/2-1 mile down the road though compared to 20 minutes not plugged in.

 

Ditto...almost hot to the touch if it's working. Mine use to keep most the frost off the hood when I had to park it outside..

 

What kind of "cold" temps are you talikng about here, cold to me is below 70°, but I frequent the mountains in northern AZ where winter temps at night can reach the single digits. This is my forst diesel and I've never really lived in a extremely cold climate. Originally from Western Washington State and Now Peoria AZ......Thanks

 

I'm talking below 0. Coldest I have dealt with for extended times is -40 on the thermo.

From when I can start seeing my breath to about 0 the trucks on a timer at nite. Then plugged in all day at work.

Below 0. Plugged in or running.

 

Thanks Ben.

 

Well I went out this morning and felt the head. Cold. What else could be wrong with the heater? Just worn out? The outlet on it was plugged into is fine. Could I put the plug into the cord and leave 1/8" or so exposed and measure the current draw with a multimeter?

 

Reading the numbers on my attitude moniter, after 3hrs up to 70ish. Left on 8hrs or whenever i go to bed till morn. 103ish. Which makes it really easy to start driving in the morn. Outside temps are low 20's and dropping all week. I never have felt the head though, but i would guess it would be warm after plugging in all night.
My heater has pretty warm at at about 130 deg.

 

check the continuity between the two flat prongs on the truck side plug. NOT PLUGGED IN. if it is open or no continuity, could be a bad cord or a bad heater, you then got to go under the truck, undo the cord at the heater and check the two prongs on the heater element itself, if you have continuity, probably the cord is bad.