Block Heater...

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Nov 13, 2014 | 10:15 PM

USCG_PA

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From: Yakima, Wash.

Block Heater...

So out of nowhere, my block heater has started popping the breaker I am using to plug it in.

Everything I have read is that it is most likely a short in the wire somewhere and to just replace it. Has anyone had any experience with this issue?

Looking at the cord, it seems to wrap around half the engine bay before I loose it.

The wire is zipped tied in place, and has not been pulled or yanked, so I am not sure why it failed...

Any ideas or directions to look would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Nov 14, 2014 | 12:43 AM

Stewart_H

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Joined: May 2004

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From: Central Coast of CA

Yo Brother David, you don't want those pesky spark plug runnin' guys chiming in on this thread so I'm gonna move this one on down to the 6.0L PSD forum buddy.

Stewart

Nov 14, 2014 | 02:14 AM

Yahiko

Fleet Owner

Joined: Apr 2012

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From: Spanaway

Is the breaker a GFCI type?
If yes look for a bad cord first.Then take a DMM aka meter and
on the high Ω range aka MΩ put one probe to the truck on a metal part
that will give you a good ground.Then take the other probe and place on
one of the two power pins. Last check the ground pin with the DMM
set to Ω. The MΩ reading should show as open. If not reach over the
starter and remove the cord. With the one probe still on truck ground and in the MΩ
range check one of the power pins of the heater you should still see it as open.
If you do then start looking at the cord and extension cord. If you have any
reading that is anything other than showing the element as open time for a new heater.
When you remove the plug from the heater make sure the pins are dry.
If they are wet that could be the problem also.

Once you have the plug off and before you do all the things I listed above.
Check each pin to each of the others in the MΩ range and also in the Ω range.
If it shows anything other than open it's a bad cord.

Sean

Nov 14, 2014 | 06:37 AM

dannyboy950

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Do the meter test with no power on the cord. Unplugged from the house.

Nov 14, 2014 | 07:57 AM

05F250DSL

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 1,303

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My heater cord failed just behind the plug itself wasn't real noticeable til I looked close. Cut almost in half from flexing. I slide the cover back cut it off and put a new end on it and still retained the original cover.

Nov 14, 2014 | 09:25 AM

Furniture Doctor

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Joined: Dec 2011

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From: New Kensington PA

Block heater

I have repaced tthe wire and the plug on my '96 PSD. There was a break in the wire which caused a short. The new wire is #14 gauge instead of either 16 or 18 that came with the truck. I did reuse the wore looms I also replaced the plug as well. When I spliced the wire near the block I staggered the connections to make sure that there would be very little chance on shorting out.

Nov 14, 2014 | 11:36 AM

USCG_PA

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From: Yakima, Wash.

This is all great information. Thank you for sharing the wisdom. I will need to poke around a lot more, but I have a feeling that I might just end up going with a new wiring system.