1997 block heater
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
1997 block heater
I looked under the hood and there is an orange cord but it is not plugged in. There is a plug in the grill to plug in extension cord. I cannot seem to find where the orange part plugs into under the hood. Does my truck have a block heater? Or was it just wired for one? The truck in a 1997 f-150 4x4. with a 4.6 engine.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 11
From: Minnesota
Slide underneath and look right below the drivers side exhaust manifold. You should see the orange plug terminate on one of the frost plugs. That would be the OEM block heater element it is connected to. If it all looks sound and secure, I suppose you could plug it in at the grill and see. It is hard to tell if it is working, but one simple way is to plug a lamp into the same socket that you are going to plug your extention cord into from the plug at the grill. With the lamp on, plug in the heater and you should see the light dim just a tad. Please be careful and try to check the cord on the truck first for frays or cuts. Always plug it into a grounded GFI if possible. Good Luck!
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
The orange cord is not plugged into anything. It was just dangling around. Where on the block would the heater be located or does anyone have any pictures that show places where it might be located? Would the plug be wired into the truck if it didnt have a heater? All I see is the cord with nothing plugged into either end of it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 11
From: Minnesota
Sounds like the cord rusted off. Look at the frost plugs, as I posted above in that area. It is inserted into the block, so it's not something hanging on the side. But if you know what a frost plug looks like in the block, you will see one that looks different. That be it....should have some obvious signs of where the orange wires were. I can't believe they would put a plug on it that went nowhere...had to have had...or has one.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I was just under the truck. I didn't see one in any of the freeze plug holes. There is 4 freeze plugs on the driver side. Is it possible it might have leaked and they removed it? I didnt see anything that looked like the plug end.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 11
From: Minnesota
Yes..But I would think any professional would remove an electrical plug that has the potential to be plugged in and cause a possible massive short. Who knows though what some people do....
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
It is the original motor. Is the freeze plug hole the only place that would have the block heater?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FarmingF250
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
11
Jan 4, 2016 07:29 PM
Restlesswildman
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
13
Nov 16, 2014 07:09 PM
Pheadrus
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
44
Jan 12, 2014 12:45 PM
