I have a 1994 dodge ram 2500 12 v cummins.
The engine heat runs around 150-160 degrees and will not gain any higher temps. They are supposed to run around 180 degrees to get proper passenger heat. When the thermostat opens the engine temperature drops out of the bottom on the temp gauge. I changed the thermostat and flushed the heater core with no change of heat in the passenter compartment.

Also, I am having problems starting my truck in the 'cold' Indiana weather. I was told the fuel heater (wait-to-start light) was cracked. Can anyone tell me the exact name of the part is so that I can search for one on the web?

WEATHER is supposed to be -13 tonight with a wind chill of -20...ever drive 70 miles without heat in that temperateure...I'd consider this an e-mergency, eh?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

the wait to start light is not the fuel heater, thats the GRID HEATER on the intake manifold side. the fuel heater is something totoally different mounted above the starter and before the filter. The fuel heater also has a little filter in it. My fuel heater went bad, not allowing the truck to get enough fuel over 2Krpm. was a pain to replace, but made a huge difference.

 

What kind of thermostat are you using?


My suggestion is to get one from Cummins.

 

I would stick a piece of cardboard in front of the lower part of the radiator and see if that helped before I would drive 70 miles at 13 below. Make that any miles at 13 below. Brrrrrr.

 

You have been given some very good advice here, I just ran into a problem with the same thing, mine happened to be a freaky incident where part of a gasket stuck the thermostat open. I replaced it with the best Thermostat Napa has, and I get temps coming up, but NOT where my other 97 runs.

I would get a real Cummins Thermostat, but for the immediate time, I would block off my radiator. I have all but about 6" total of my radiator blocked off, just a piece of cardboard between the intercooler and the rad.

I get heat now, but even with that much of the rad. blocked, it will not come close to reaching 190.

Block her totally off, don't worry about either the fuel or the grid heater, neither has a thing to do with heat.

 

Just re-read your post, sorry, I thought you thought the problem with the Griod Heaters was contributing to the no heat.

Yes, at 13 below, the Grid Heaters do assist in starting, your problem is probably the solenoids located on the drivers inner fenderwell. There will be 4 large posts and 4 small posts, the large posts will have 12V continuous to one side, and the other side will be hooked to the grid heater going up to the heater on the intake, between it an the boost tubing. The heater is likely just fine. The smaller posts will have push on connectors, and one set will have 12V continuous, the others simply ground the solenoid to drag it in, this is done thru the PCM.

The solenoid is probably your issue, it is probably too late to get one today, but you can at least diagnose it, they are expensive thru the dealer, I bought my last one at www.rockauto.com, it even comes with the OEM part number, they list it as a multipurpose relay if I remember correctly.

Do a search here on Grid Heater and you will have more reading than you could possibly want to read.

Good luck and if you have any further questions, shoot me a PM.

 

Read this Ram Diesel Manifold Heater Problems

I've been using Ford starter solenoids (relays) for grid heater replacements for quite some time. Work excellent and best of all they are under $15 each from any autoparts.
You must use the type with a non-grounded case or else insulate the case from ground.

 

Dear all:
Thanks for the advice. I put a magnet heater on the block and my mom put a heat bulb under the oil pan. It started. I also put cardboard in the front but my engine over-heated about 1/2 way to school so I had to stop and take it out.
I'll go with your advice and locate an original thermostat and attempt to locate a 'used'(this stuff is expensive) fuel heater or grid heater, whatever it might be called. Thanks again, I appreciated all the replies.

 

Fuel heater is chep from Cummins, 35-40 bucks. Ebay is the place to get a grid heater, in the rare instance you would actually need one.

That is very strange that you overheated, these things have overkill to the moon cooling systems.

Are you sure your Radiator is full? The reason I say that is Brownie, my other truck has a hole in the Radiator about 3" down, been meaning to put the new radiator I have setting in the garage, but never got the chance. Anyways, she will start up to go above 190 in the summer if I am towing a load, but not any other time ( I actually forget the Rad. is bum until I hook her up).

In any instance, block half of it off and see where that gets you.