Block Heater Failure!
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Colorado
Block Heater Failure!
I had the truck plugged in, and when I went to start it this morning, it was ugly. Took me 4 times to get the beast fired up. It was plugged in all night and the temp was 9 above. I begin to wondering if the block heater was working. I checked the plug with my OHM meter and recieved no reading. I then checked my friends 08 powerstroke in the same manner and received a 16.8 ohm reading. What is the probability of the heater failing vs. the cord going bad. It was only 8 degrees outside when I got home and I did not want to take the cord of the truck and ring it out. It is going to hit -5 below tonight, so I will be doing some cycling of the glow plugs in the morning. If any one has had a failure please let me know what it was.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,123
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From: N. Fort Worth, tx
unplug the cord and the block heater and test it there should be close to 15 ohms. Ive not seen a heater go bad yet but down here they almost never get used. Ive seen a few cords fail though
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,139
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Check out where the cord attaches to the BH just above the starter(pass side of motor).. Maybe it's come loose there.. To get a reading of nothing and have it all intact would be hard to believe..
If it's really cold, plug in a 500w halogen worklight and set it about 6" from the bottom of your oil pan facing up.. It won't hurt anything as long as you don't run it over when you leave in the morning..
If it's really cold, plug in a 500w halogen worklight and set it about 6" from the bottom of your oil pan facing up.. It won't hurt anything as long as you don't run it over when you leave in the morning..
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From: Colorado
Thanks for the info, but it is just too damn cold to play troubleshooter tonight. Getting to cold to roll around in the snow tonight to get to it. It will start (I hope) in the morning, and Ford and my extended warrantee will have to deal with it in the afternoon.
Dennis
Dennis
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From: Edmonton, AB.
Thanks for the info, but it is just too damn cold to play troubleshooter tonight. Getting to cold to roll around in the snow tonight to get to it. It will start (I hope) in the morning, and Ford and my extended warrantee will have to deal with it in the afternoon.
Dennis
Dennis
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From: Edmonton, AB.
As Cheezit said, not likely the element. Your cooling system has distilled water in it and the Motorcraft gold coolant has chemicals to fight corrosion. You don't have that in a water heater. A simple check with an ohm meter will tell the tale. My money's on the cord.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Colorado
Thanks for all the information. It was the cord. The people on this forum will be the ones I will be trusting when my extended warranty will be expiring in a few months. This forum is invaluable due to the amount of knowledge on this forum from the different issues that we all have dealt with on our trucks. Thanks again
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,238
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From: Northern Illinois
Thanks for all the information. It was the cord. The people on this forum will be the ones I will be trusting when my extended warranty will be expiring in a few months. This forum is invaluable due to the amount of knowledge on this forum from the different issues that we all have dealt with on our trucks. Thanks again
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 120
From: Carstairs Alberta
if the connector is the problem, the solution is a pair of sidecutters. 2 cuts 1 on either side of connector, soldier wires and use shrink tube. as far as the "cord" going bad generally the prob is the male end o the bumper thats exposed to all that nice moisture and salt. grab that sidecutters make 1 cut 3 inches from the plug go to hardware store of your personal preference and buy/install new male end. cost including fuel to go to store less than 5 bucks and it takes15 minutes tops to install
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
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From: Northern Illinois
Thanks Nitrogen. After giving it some thought today I'm going to eliminate the connector and hard wire it like my semi is with one of these plug receptacles. No more fumbling for the cord or tucking it away for the summer.
Just saw your post zmann, where did you find that receptacle? It looks a little smaller compared to the one I found.
Just saw your post zmann, where did you find that receptacle? It looks a little smaller compared to the one I found.