Block Heater
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
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Block Heater
Hey guys. I'm hoping this isn't the beginning of the end for my truck. Has anyone had the problem of plugging in the engine block heater and the truck won't start the next morning? It got pretty cold last night and I plugged my truck in this morning for a couple of hours and when i went out to start the truck, the battery had died. I am using the same extension cord I have used in the past, same outlet, same everything. I'm glad I tried to start the truck before my wife left for work so I was able to jump start it. Drove to work and shut it down. It started right up when I was leaving for lunch and all times since. I'm not sure if I should plug it in overnight. Thanks guys.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,169
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From: SW Florida
Maybe the block heater quit working? Check to make sure you have power on your ext cord. (plug something in it like a fan, hair dryer or something) Are you able to see water temp via a scantool prior to starting?
Edit....I missed the part about your batteries being dead. Were they dead when you tried to start, or they died after trying to start?
Edit....I missed the part about your batteries being dead. Were they dead when you tried to start, or they died after trying to start?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 206
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From: Sandyville Wv
Hey guys. I'm hoping this isn't the beginning of the end for my truck. Has anyone had the problem of plugging in the engine block heater and the truck won't start the next morning? It got pretty cold last night and I plugged my truck in this morning for a couple of hours and when i went out to start the truck, the battery had died. I am using the same extension cord I have used in the past, same outlet, same everything. I'm glad I tried to start the truck before my wife left for work so I was able to jump start it. Drove to work and shut it down. It started right up when I was leaving for lunch and all times since. I'm not sure if I should plug it in overnight. Thanks guys.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 206
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From: Sandyville Wv
Also it really is unnecessary to plug in unless it's frigid. If your glow plug module and plugs are working correctly, your fine. Hell if cycle the twice to make you feel better. Then let her run for a couple minutes after. I do plug mine im 40 and below just for in a big old baby about my truck
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 4
From: Jefferson, Iowa
The block heater is a stand alone unit and would not have any effect on your batteries. I am an electrician in my day job. Just make sure you are using a grounded 12 gauge extension cord no longer than necessary.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,055
Likes: 235
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
Agreed^^^^
SOunds like you have Bad Batterys
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The batteries were replaced either last year or the year before. The cord is a 50 ft. It's orange and mid-sized with a ground, guessing it's a 12 gauge. I used this same cord all of last winter. Last night and thru the weekend we are looking at freezing(32-35) overnight and in the upper 50's to low 60's during the day, so I figured I'd better plug in. Don't have a scan tool currently. It was also only plugged in for about 2 hours. I am not going to plug in tonight and see if she starts up in the morning. Then I can plug in tomorrow night, since I don't have work in Saturday, and see what happens.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,303
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Sounds to me like a bad battery cable connection. Check for corrosion loose cables esp on the passenger side cable where they split to the drivers side battery. When I first got my truck it did some weird battery things. I found right where the cable splits was breaking apart. I cleaned up all terminals needed batteries so bought two new. And some I think they were 4awg eyelets and repaired the cable, I've had no problems since.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,055
Likes: 235
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
Sounds to me like a bad battery cable connection. Check for corrosion loose cables esp on the passenger side cable where they split to the drivers side battery. When I first got my truck it did some weird battery things. I found right where the cable splits was breaking apart. I cleaned up all terminals needed batteries so bought two new. And some I think they were 4awg eyelets and repaired the cable, I've had no problems since.
Some good things to Check^^^^
The Heater has nothing to do with Dead Batterys
Im like Josh I don't plug in much Only when maybe the 20s or less at night
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 65,938
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From: Millersville, MD
The batteries were replaced either last year or the year before. The cord is a 50 ft. It's orange and mid-sized with a ground, guessing it's a 12 gauge. I used this same cord all of last winter. Last night and thru the weekend we are looking at freezing(32-35) overnight and in the upper 50's to low 60's during the day, so I figured I'd better plug in. Don't have a scan tool currently. It was also only plugged in for about 2 hours. I am not going to plug in tonight and see if she starts up in the morning. Then I can plug in tomorrow night, since I don't have work in Saturday, and see what happens.
