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block heater

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Old Nov 4, 2012 | 05:19 PM
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block heater

Well now I'm trying to figure the heater not working problem. It used to work but I think it burned out. I cant tell where iy goes to and what it actually heats up I sure like having it since the glows are going bad. Where do i find it
 
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Old Nov 4, 2012 | 06:04 PM
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The block heater was installed in the soft/freeze plug would go behind the starter. You can purchase a new one from any parts house.
 
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Old Nov 4, 2012 | 06:17 PM
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Sometimes the cord goes bad. It unplugs from the heater and is available seperately. You can test the heater and cord with an ohm meter... I suppose you could even use a test light as a continuity tester if that's all you have.
 
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Old Nov 4, 2012 | 06:37 PM
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thanks alot guys , that sounds simple enough BUT I suppose I have to remove the starter then ...dahhh. oh well the wires and posts need cleaned and tightened any way
 
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Old Nov 4, 2012 | 07:01 PM
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You may not need to remove the starter, I think you can access it through the wheel well.
 
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Old Nov 4, 2012 | 07:16 PM
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ok thats a little easier thanks
 
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Old Nov 5, 2012 | 05:03 PM
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You can at least test it without removing the starter. I'm not sure about replacing it.. but usually problems are caused be bad cords. If the cord doesn't work, cut a few inches past the wall plug and test the wires, it may just need a new end.
 
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Old Nov 5, 2012 | 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by kevind95
thanks alot guys , that sounds simple enough BUT I suppose I have to remove the starter then ...dahhh. oh well the wires and posts need cleaned and tightened any way

If its another excuse to take the starter out and do some electrical maintenance, then by all means take it out and check your block heater then. I remember doing a simple cord swap; it turned out not so simple trying to push that "doesn't fit just perfectly-have-to-wiggle and push real hard with the tips of two fingers" little rubber plug in out in the cold. It kinda sucked.
 
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Old Nov 5, 2012 | 06:38 PM
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block heater

Weird, I was looking at mine today on an '89 model and it looked like it might not be to difficult to reach but was wondering if anyone knew if there would be any surprises when taking it out to replace??...seen there was a flathead screw nut??...to remove on the bottom, couldn't tell if there were one or two more sort of hidden by the red plug??...I would like to replace mine..it didn't work last year, but we had a mild winter here in the southern tip of Ohio...this thing sure makes a big difference heading to work 3:30 am on them cold winter mornings...Any advice really appreciated...thanks
 
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Old Nov 5, 2012 | 06:56 PM
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I would like to use my block heater, but fear the whole cracked block thing. Are the original units ok to use? If so how long could they be plugged in.

Sorry-this is my first 7.3, and my old 6.9 didn't have this issue.
 
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Old Nov 5, 2012 | 07:14 PM
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Mine worked for years and came in very handy.I had a timer set for the mornings. but this year it didn't work and as a matter of fact the way I found this out was I went out it wase raining I was standing in the road I want to unlock the door and got shocked. I didn't know why it first then I realize that it had to be the heater plugged in while it was raining. obviously a short somewhere but it didn't work. today I put 3 new glow plugs and replace the 3 that didn't work and I changed the outside extension cord that I was using cause it been out there for 2 years thinking that might be where the short was and why it wasn't working so when I plug it in and it sent current through the truck I get hear my speakers and a buzz and it's weird because the power to the truck was off what do you all think about that
 
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Old Nov 5, 2012 | 07:19 PM
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The cord is probably shorted to the frame or exhaust.
 
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Old Nov 5, 2012 | 07:25 PM
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That's my next a little project so I probably get on that tomorrow OH somebody said in an earlier post that the heater itself scwews into a freeze plug. Will water come streaming out when it is removed ?
 
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Old Nov 5, 2012 | 07:39 PM
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Yes, you will lose most of the coolant. Get a big drain pan. Hopefully you won't need to go that far.
 
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Old Nov 5, 2012 | 07:42 PM
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Yes. Drain coolant.
 
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