03 slow to start when cool
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From: Texarkana, tx
03 slow to start when cool
I have a 03 that is slow to start on cool mornings. Does the overhead temp (it wont read above 75 when it has been hotter) have anything to do with the starting or the cycling of the intake heater? The light will only stay on for about 2sec when I was 50 this morning could the emement be bad and how could i check this?
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Sykesville, MD
Over the last 2 weeks or so, I've noticed my grid heater has been pretty relative to the overhead temp...when it's been reading upper 40's, the grid heater has been on about 30 sec, yesterday it read 51, and it was only on about 10 sec.
I looked at the service manual, and can't seem to find anything on what controls the time the heater is on...whether it is a direct relation to the OA sensor for the overhead (it is anticipating the heat load it needs) or if there is a sensor that it is triggered off of.
However, hearing that your overhead sensor is a bit off (maxes out at 75 when it is warmer than that) and the grid heater was only on for 2 sec at 50, you might be on to something.
The service manual says that the Ambient Temp Sensor cannot be recalibrated, so it must be replaced. However, it does state that you can check the resistance at a given temp...at 75*F, it should read 10.3 kohms, at 86*F it should read 7.57 kohms -- the higher the temp, the lower the resistance.
Anyways, it is located on the underside of the hood towards the front center, and is just held on with a screw, and there is apparently a wiring harness that it plugs into (I'd go out and check on mine, but my neighbor borrowed the truck...apparently his Vue has the towing capacity of a dirt bike!
).
Don't know how much they'd charge for a new sensor, but it can't be that much...it's just a resistive element, but it's Dodge, so you might need that home equity loan! Seriously, I'd give it a shot, since it sounds like it is bad anyways, and if it fixes your grid heater problem, even better.
I looked at the service manual, and can't seem to find anything on what controls the time the heater is on...whether it is a direct relation to the OA sensor for the overhead (it is anticipating the heat load it needs) or if there is a sensor that it is triggered off of.
However, hearing that your overhead sensor is a bit off (maxes out at 75 when it is warmer than that) and the grid heater was only on for 2 sec at 50, you might be on to something.
The service manual says that the Ambient Temp Sensor cannot be recalibrated, so it must be replaced. However, it does state that you can check the resistance at a given temp...at 75*F, it should read 10.3 kohms, at 86*F it should read 7.57 kohms -- the higher the temp, the lower the resistance.
Anyways, it is located on the underside of the hood towards the front center, and is just held on with a screw, and there is apparently a wiring harness that it plugs into (I'd go out and check on mine, but my neighbor borrowed the truck...apparently his Vue has the towing capacity of a dirt bike!
).Don't know how much they'd charge for a new sensor, but it can't be that much...it's just a resistive element, but it's Dodge, so you might need that home equity loan! Seriously, I'd give it a shot, since it sounds like it is bad anyways, and if it fixes your grid heater problem, even better.
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