Block heater shorting out
#1
Block heater shorting out
2001 F-250 Air cleaner mod. No other mods I know of (bought used)
I have been having an on again, off again problem with my block heater. I think I have finally figured out what is causing it, but I need your help fixing it. The GFCI on my wall plug I use to run to my truck "trips" whenever I wash my truck (it also seems to do it when the roads are wet with melted snow). This tells me I have a short occurring because of moisture getting in somewhere. My question to you knowledgeable people is how hard is it to trace (and/or replace) the wiring for the block heater? I haven’t tried it yet because I don't have a garage to do it in and I want to know how involved it's going to be before I decide to get under it in the snow. On a side note, while checking the block heater plug itself, I came across a flat plug (approximately 2" x 3" x 1"). It has two connection points in it marked positive and negative. Could this be for a wench or plow? I didn't buy the truck new, but it had a brush guard on it that didn't appear to have a wench connection.
I have been having an on again, off again problem with my block heater. I think I have finally figured out what is causing it, but I need your help fixing it. The GFCI on my wall plug I use to run to my truck "trips" whenever I wash my truck (it also seems to do it when the roads are wet with melted snow). This tells me I have a short occurring because of moisture getting in somewhere. My question to you knowledgeable people is how hard is it to trace (and/or replace) the wiring for the block heater? I haven’t tried it yet because I don't have a garage to do it in and I want to know how involved it's going to be before I decide to get under it in the snow. On a side note, while checking the block heater plug itself, I came across a flat plug (approximately 2" x 3" x 1"). It has two connection points in it marked positive and negative. Could this be for a wench or plow? I didn't buy the truck new, but it had a brush guard on it that didn't appear to have a wench connection.
#2
#3
I started having problems with mine also. I tripped my GFI circut the other night. It was snowing and blowing pretty hard here so I assumed that I had a wet plug. Dried the prongs on the ext. cord and block heater plug. Plugged her in last night, GFI circuit didn't trip but heater still didn't work. If I need to changed the heater cord, do I just cut the old one off and splice new one on? Or does the cord actually remove from the block heater?
#4
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Ardenvoir, Washington
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Originally Posted by skibender
I started having problems with mine also. I tripped my GFI circut the other night. It was snowing and blowing pretty hard here so I assumed that I had a wet plug. Dried the prongs on the ext. cord and block heater plug. Plugged her in last night, GFI circuit didn't trip but heater still didn't work. If I need to changed the heater cord, do I just cut the old one off and splice new one on? Or does the cord actually remove from the block heater?
#5
Originally Posted by skibender
do I just cut the old one off and splice new one on? Or does the cord actually remove from the block heater?
Once you release the locking clip it will pull straight out.
#7
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Ardenvoir, Washington
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Jawahe..Like the previous post says.. just disconnect the cord from the element on the block and use a ohm meter ( a very useful tool.. if you don't have one, would suggest buying one.. ) to check both the element and the cord separately..
And Welcome the the Forum...
And Welcome the the Forum...
Last edited by clintbonnie; 02-15-2007 at 04:58 PM.
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