Dodge Cummins Block Heater

[ENNOT]

I have a '99 Cummins and it has the heater and cord, and seems to be all hooked up. Its right behind the oil filter.

But how do I tell if it's working? It doesn't feel warm when its plugged in. Would it be warm where it hooks into the block, would the block be warm?

 

[Sage]

The block should feel warm, pay close attention when you plug it in you should see or hear a small arc when the cord is slowly plugged in. LOL If it gets really cold and it won't start it probably aint working.

 

[DiamondSCattleCo]

The heater itself should be plenty warm to the touch. If its not, unplug the cord from the heater and do a continuity test on it. If thats comes up OK, continuity test each of the wires in the cord. It may be something as simple as the end being pooched from too many years banging around in the breeze. If you don't have a continuity tester, replace the end with a 3 buck replacement and see what that gets you. If it doesn't work, its probably the block heater.

Rod

 

[cedar]

if cord is warm woking

 

[DiamondSCattleCo]

The cord being warm could also mean a short in the cord, or dirt in the contacts where it plugs into the block heater, or a short in the heater....

Rod

 

[dun]

The cord being warm could also mean a short in the cord, or dirt in the contacts where it plugs into the block heater, or a short in the heater....

Rod

Or being plugged into too small of an amperage rated extension cord. But in that case the extension cord would be a lot hotter.

dun

 

[ENNOT]

I plugged it in this morning and will leave it for a while and see if there is any warmth. I usually don't have to plug it in at all, but we are having a real cold snap right now. It's still pretty early to get this cold around here.

Got up real early this morning to check water and feed the bred heifers. They were pretty reluctant to get out from behind the windbreak to come eat. They were pretty happy once they realized what was going on though!

Thanks for all your responses.

 

[DiamondSCattleCo]

ENNOT, I'm not sure what your temps are doing right now, but sometimes all you need to do is cycle the grid heaters twice and the old girls will fire. I've started Cummins powered trucks at -35F without being plugged in. They didn't like it, but they went. Try to give it a 1/4 throttle while turning over. It may help.

Rod

 

[ENNOT]

I am sure your right DiamondS. It has fired up when we've been back home in Montana when it was 2o below. Like you say, let it cycle twice. She kind of sputtered at first, but then everything was fine.

I would just like to know if the heater is working so incase I need to get it plugged in. More of a precautionary response rather than an emergency.

 

[Cowdirt]

I would just like to know if the heater is working so incase I need to get it plugged in. More of a precautionary response rather than an emergency.[/quote]

ENNOT,
I have A Cummins but being in TN have never used the block heater. I do plug in my tractor occasionally and when I plug it in there is an immediate gurgling sound as water boiling. Don't know if this would be the same with the Cummins. Might listen when you plug it up.

 

[Sage]

Just plugged my 05 cummins in today, about 2 above here and noticed the same gurgling within a few seconds of plugging it in.

 

[DiamondSCattleCo]

I would just like to know if the heater is working so incase I need to get it plugged in. More of a precautionary response rather than an emergency.

You'll know within a few seconds of plugging it in if the heater is working. It should be warm to the touch almost immediately.

Rod

 

[ENNOT]

Well, I don't think the thing is working. Even after being plugged in for around two hours, it was not warm. Guess I'll replace it. The dealership said it would be about $60 for the heater and cord. It doesn't look too bad to replace. It is behind the oil filter, but I think I can slip it out.

 

[DiamondSCattleCo]

Do yourself a favor and swap out the $3 plug in end first. Those often bite the dust from flopping around in the wind. If its not the problem, you've then got a spare end

Rod

 

[ENNOT]

I got on a dodge forum today and many suggested that. I went and bought a new cord to try that first. Even the guy at the dealership said most of the time it is just the cord. I might try the end first though, and then at least I have the cord ready to swap.

Thanks for all your suggestions and help Diamond and others, I appreciate it.

 

[Bobg]

Ennot,

When I plug my 96 Dodge Cummins in for two hours the "Wait to Start" light doesn't even come on. The Dodge block heater is pretty hard to hear working, it doesn't make all the sizzling and popping noises that other make. Check the cord first, if you need to replace the heater itself go to NAPA there quite a bit cheaper than the dealer.

What were you doing in MT? I grew up their, but still miss that -20 + weather. People at work think I'm crazy, maybe that's why they leave me alone.

Bobg

 

[ENNOT]

I grew up in Montana and I go back each year to visit. My family has a ranch back there that was hard to leave. Hopefully my elders will retire soon so I can go back there and try to survive.

I checked at Napa here and they were more expensive than the dealer. I think the cord was $35 and the element was $26, but I didn't buy the element. And Napa was $105 for the whole ball of wax.

 

[DiamondSCattleCo]

Have you got a Cummins dealer nearby? Chances are the parts will be half the cost of Dodge branded parts, and they'll be exactly the same. Buy all your filters and whatnot at the Cummins outfit too. Same Fleetguard filters as Dodge uses, without the fancy Dodge logo, at huge savings (ex: Dodge fuel filter for 2005 - $70, Fleetguard - $11 for the exact same filter).

Rod

 

[Bobg]

Ennot,

Where abouts did you grow up? I was raised southwest of Billings about 35 miles on a small irrigated farm. All my family still lives in MT, I looking for a job there so I can move back and run a few cows on my Mom's place.

Bobg

 

[ENNOT]

Rod, it was the cord that was bad. Got it put on this morning and heated right up. For some reason it was blowing the reset on the outlet until I put a two prong end on the extension cord and plugged it back in.

I do not have a Cummins dealer close as far as I know. We do have a Dodge dealership in town.

Bobg, I grew up near Geraldine, which is between Stanford and Fort Benton. It's a nice area on the east side of the Highwoods. Our place is actually between Square Butte and the Highwoods.