i started my truck this morning and turned on the lights and fog lights. i switched my climate control from dash to floor. the dash lights dimmed for several seconds then came back to normal. i thought this was odd and switched it back to the dash and the same thing happened. i switched it floor again and the dash lights dimmed again.

any else ever see this?

 

Was it below 59*F? If so it was more than likely your grid heater cycling. Did you happen to look at the Voltmeter when this was happening? It usually comes up just below 14V at startup and then drops and comes back up. I believe the cycle is (2) 30 second intervals for each cylinder which works out to 3 minutes of the grid heater drawing power.

After the Labor Day weekend it has been cool enough almost every morning to activate my grid heater.

 

My truck does this off and on when it's cold, but never in the warm season. It is on start up when I have everything going, defroster, heat, lights. Engine sounds like it's under strain for 4-5 sec, all lights dim, and then goes back to norm?

2004 3500

 

the temp. is right around 59*. i also noticed something a week ago when we were leaving the black hills and the temp. was in the 40's. i turned my key on and started after the "wait to start" light went out. i turned it to defrost and the fan on. i noticed the fan would run, then barely blow for while, then run normal again. i did this a couple of times.

sounds like these things i'm seeing have to do with colder weather and the grid heater and are normal.

 

It's the grid heaters, guys - they draw amps like nobody's business!

 

What he said.

 

i finally guess my grid heater activated sunday morning because i started it and the volts where down to like 12 then when i got to 20mph it instantly went upto 14v.

the wait to start light sure does stay on alot longer when its as cold as it was sunday!!!

 

You know its getting cooler out when we start getting these threads! I'm SO glad it's finally getting cold outside!

 

Same question every year , it is my sign to winterize the motor home , check all antifreeze and start cutting fire wood . It feels to early , but its one of the signs of winter for me as soon as I read my first the lights dim when I started my truck . I remember the first time it happened to me back in 1991 and the panic I felt and thinking , "man I should have kept the Ford ". It's normal now sit back and wait because someone will ask the same exact question in a few days and you can be the one to calm there nerves .
PS My 91 was the best vehicle I have ever owned and if my 4.5 comes even close I will be one happy camper and was so glad I never kept the Ford .

 

i am not.. i didn't get around to buying an espar engine preheater this year still have a month or so before it gets real cold though

 

True, the preheater would be nice, but it is also nice that its not 120 outside anymore

 

Boy you got that right!!!!! I have been griping all summer about the heat and high electric bills and not being able to go outside and enjoy ourselves.

NOW...........FINALLY>>>>>>>>>>>>>>We Oklahomans and Texans can go outside and enjoy some nice weather. It has been extremely pleasant around here and even a little rain to boot.

This time of year on around till spring makes me glad im a Texan. The summers make me want to move to Alaska for about 4 months!