Block Heater Failure
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 242
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From: Tyler, TX
Block Heater Failure
I have a 1997 250 PSD, and I just went to plug my truck in for the night. As I plugged it in I heard a zap like an electrical short. I unplugged it and grabbed a fire extinguisher. Nothing smoked or flared up, but I am assuming it was a short in my block heater but it didn't blow a fuse. For now I'm going to assume the heater is shot. Can anyone confirm this or give me a different possible problem? Thanks!
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,585
Likes: 5,613
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
never saw a block heater short out. they either stop working from an open circuit, or work.
what i have seen short out though is the cord. many many times.
sometimes it just a bad plug end, other times the cord rubs and shorts out in the wires.
what i have seen short out though is the cord. many many times.
sometimes it just a bad plug end, other times the cord rubs and shorts out in the wires.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
FIRST things to do are to measure the resistance at the grille plug, and then measure the resistance at the terminals on the heater itself. Should be aprx. 14 ohms. Resistance at the grille plug might be a LITTLE higher. If that's all good, you can confirm proper heater ops with a meter like this:
; should show aprx 1000 Watts. If resistance is the grille plug is a LOT higher or lower than resistance at the heater itself, then the cord is faulty.
SOME of them make a quiet steady crackling sound. If what you heard was more a single abrupt ZAP, that's not normal.
SOME of them make a quiet steady crackling sound. If what you heard was more a single abrupt ZAP, that's not normal.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 242
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From: Tyler, TX
I did exactly what you said, and there was nothing across the prongs but the element is good. I pulled the cord out and there was a hole worn right through one side. out to find a replacement. does motorcraft still carry the cords or not? thanks!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2011
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From: Thornhill , Ontario
Well the last time I bought it , it was cheaper to buy the Kit (cord & element) from Ford ...I think it was around 60 bucks here ...it is way cheaper for you guys .... I still have the new element ready to install.....that was 4 years ago......I am sure somebody will sell you just the cord....
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i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,585
Likes: 5,613
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
on one of my trucks i took a heavy duty air conditioner extension cord and cut the end that goes into the block heater off, then wired it to the extension cord.
it was a temporary fix on a sunday afternoon. it worked so good i left it there for the 5 more years i had the truck, and it is still working 15 years later.
the employee i sold it too still stops by to do maintenance on it.
it was a temporary fix on a sunday afternoon. it worked so good i left it there for the 5 more years i had the truck, and it is still working 15 years later.
the employee i sold it too still stops by to do maintenance on it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
*(Side note - it was so cold that night, when I went to install the repaired cord, the zip-ties just snapped as I tried to use them. I had to secure it to the frame with short pieces of chothesline rope; it was the only thing that didn't just break in the cold....)
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,818
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From: Avilla, IN
$22: Zerostart 3600008 - Power Cord | O'Reilly Auto Parts
Or maybe you can get it cheaper from the source: Phillips & Temro Technologies
part number is 3600008.
Or maybe you can get it cheaper from the source: Phillips & Temro Technologies
part number is 3600008.