i found mine over the weekend, it was tucked in there pretty good. thanks guys

 

Living here in the Midwest we get winters with some wide temperature swings, it can be as cold as -30F or as warm as 55F. To account for these temperature swings and minimizing electric use I've combined a timer with a thermostatically control outlet which turns on below 35 F and off above 45 F. Generally 3 hrs before starting is all it takes to get the engine up in temperature for a warm start.

And besides a diesel sounds so much happier when it starts warm then when its left out in the cold with no heat!

 

Is there any reason I should use a timer when I plug in my block heater? If its only 10-20 cents an hour than Im not worried about that, it took me nearly 10 minutes to get my truck started this morning. Living in Texas it doesnt normally get too cold but this morning it was 15. Thinking of plugging it in tonight for the first time since owning the truck.

 

10 minutes to start your truck at 15 degrees?

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yes, my batteries are in good shape, just replaced them last summer, but it was hard starting today. I have never had it plugged in since owning it but am going to try it tonight and see if that helps.

 

that's what i was thinking, sounds like you have other issues.

 

There are two options: one is 1000 watts and the other is 1500 watts.

Thad

 

1000 watts or 1500 watts for what?

 

The block heater.

 

Maybe for an aftermarket heater element but the OEM is 1,000 watts.

 

Minus 8 this morning. I leave mine plugged in all night when I go to bed. Sounds like someone needs a scangauge 'll to check FICM and voltage draw at start up. What weight oil are you using? I think your FICM needs replacing with a 10 minute startup at just 15 degrees.

 

perhaps, but i have a one year old FICM from Ed and my truck wouldn't start if EOT/ECT were under 25 degrees... did all 8 glowplugs and now its good (had codes on 6 of them).

5 degrees ambient here this morning, temp is supposed to go down all day and windchills approaching -30*. left mine plugged in all night last night and ECT/EOT were in the 60's at startup this morning. same order of business tonight for me.

tcjhkbjt how long are you letting your glow plugs cycle before starting?

 

it normally starts right up, but this morning was really cold. at least for Texas it was cold

 

I am letting the light go off and then recycling it again until the light goes off.

 

for what it's worth everything i've read on here indicates they'll run for 120 seconds when cold, despite what the dash light says. if yours is starting that hard it might not be a bad idea to let them fully cycle, maybe even twice.