I plugged my truck in last night but it still took forever for the wait to start light to go out. How can I tell if it is working or not? Thanks for the help.

 

This looks like a loaded question from a guy with over 2700 posts, but I think the easiest way is to put your hand on the side of the block and feel.

 

you should also hear a faint buzzing or hmm sound...it depends on the temp but remember it is metal...and metal still gets cold....

 

I can sometimes hear mine sizzle when I plug it in.

Is the plug and connector clean and free of crud that might affect current flow?

 

I am up here in cold country and believe me i know when mine is working, if it is not plugged in it takes a long time for the light to go out, but when plugged in it cuts the wait time down by at least 75%. you should see a dramatic reduction in wait time if your block heater is working.

rob

 

when i first plug it in ( as long as it's cold) i can here it start to "sizzle" also as described above...the wait to start is real short....mine is on a timer and runs for about 4 hours before i start the truck.

 

ok, i give, where's the plug?

i'm near FLA, (barely cold enough to frost)
but I drive such a short distance, i think i want to plug it in, to help it get warmer faster and keep moisture out of the motor, make sense?

i laid under it & looked under the hood, but still did not see the plug. i know i must have looked right at it

 

04ctd

The plug in wire is actually optional equipment on the 04's, and I really doubt a truck delivered to Florida would have one. You can get one though! Talk with the dealer. Think they run about $35 and aren't all that bad to install from what I gather.

BigBlue

Good question. Best way that I know mine is working is that with one or two cranks the beast fires right up. Sometimes I won't even get a dash light on. My fuel pressure, idle, and volts level off much more quickly as well (compared to a true cold start - not plugged in that is).

Depends on the temp and how long I have it plugged in as to how it acts. Not a real definitive answer, sorry!

Matt

 

Blue,

I plugged mine in Monday night, and Tuesday morning my wifes car had frost all over it. My windshield was defrosted halfway up, and the hood didnt have a lick of frost on it. It popped off quick too, just like it was 100 degrees outside.


Try plugging it in overnight, and in the morning pop your hood, and feel of the block. You will know. If it is not even remotely warm under there, then its not working.

Phil

 

Look at your electric meter before and after plugging in. Should be spinning noticably faster after. Sucks alot of juice.

 

Thanks man. The truck cranked on the first bump of the key, but only after waiting like 30 seconds for the light to go off. I didn't hear anything pop or sizzle last night when I plugged it in (it was plugged in for at least 8 hours).

 

Blue- Sorry, but I gotta ask.........

How cold does it have to get in Texas before it is considered cold enough to plug your truck in

 

How do ya figure that??? the block heater is 750 Watts. Depending on where you live and your power company, costs between 8-15 cents an hour to operate. That isnt a LOT of juice...

 

How's mid 30's sound for plugging it in? I don't really care about how cold it gets and saving the batteries, I'm trying to solve a FP problem is the main cause.

 

Blue...if its really quite out you should be able to hear the block heater hum (with the hood open of course)