block heater not working
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 118
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block heater not working
Got a new cord for it today and its still not warming the motor. I dont have a meter to test for currency. But if the electrode thing was bad wouldn't it trip a recipticle out.
Wiser by FTE
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,837
Likes: 48
a circuit breaker would trip if there was a short and a gfci would trip out if any of the current leaked away. Home depot sells a watt stopper tester that shows current/voltage/watts for under 30 bucks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Not necessarily. If the circuit is open it will just do nothing. If it's shorted it can make popping noises, spark, smoke, or trip breakers. May be worth a shot to pull the cord loose and inspect for burnt connector pins and corrosion. It's above the starter and a bit of a pain to get to though.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,073
Likes: 243
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
X2^^^^^^^^
I HAD THIS PROBLEM
Plus the cord on the truck going to the heater had a Chaff in it and the way I found that was I had it hard wired today and when I bumped the Cord it Blew a Flame out of it and found it just in time cause I was starting to pull the cord from the heating element out
So in the end I had Multiple problems
You can Ohm the cord and element out with a DVM if all is Good you should see around 15ohms
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 84
When you say new cord is that on the truck side or a new ext. cord? I did this in sept when I first got my truck plugged it in had no draw. Saw worked fine. Started ohm readings nothing at the plug. Upon looking closely at the back of the plug one side had been flexed back as forth so much it didn't make a connection. I replaced the truck plug and it works great. You really do new a multimeter even if it's a harbor freight 2.99 setup. Otherwise you are just guessing.
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,073
Likes: 243
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
When you say new cord is that on the truck side or a new ext. cord? I did this in sept when I first got my truck plugged it in had no draw. Saw worked fine. Started ohm readings nothing at the plug. Upon looking closely at the back of the plug one side had been flexed back as forth so much it didn't make a connection. I replaced the truck plug and it works great. You really do new a multimeter even if it's a harbor freight 2.99 setup. Otherwise you are just guessing.
That's exactly what happened to me
I think the plug end on the truck Blew Back N Forth as the truck drove down the road Slowly Breaking all the wires inside
If you look into my thread one of the guys Posted a pic of a way to Mount it solid threw a hole drilled into the bumper and has a Cover plate to keep the Ice/Water/Salt etc.. out of it Its really good idea if you don't mind the way it looks. And honestly don't look bad at All
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