heater grid problems

hamner10 · 11-04-2009, 12:56 AM

93 Cummins, everything seems ok when the temp is about 50 or above, wait to start light comes on and truck starts normally.
At below 45 to 40 or so, I can hear the relays clicking very fast and the wait to start lamp is flashing quickly, 3 or 4 times a second, does this for 3-4-5 seconds then clicking stops, wait to start light acts normal and truck can be started ok.
At 35 or below, no light, no clicking, just nothing for maybe 10-15 seconds then clicking, and eventually I can get it to start.
Winter is setting in and I can plug in a block heater at home but not at work. My last Cummins would start ok when I left it at work, but I don't think this one is going to.
Temp sensor, grid maybe getting weak, where to start, anyone have any ideas?

denman · 11-04-2009, 11:55 AM

To avoid going to "hi-tech" fixes, you could run the grids with a HEAVY relay, like maybe an external starter relay, that you control with a switch, ... I don't recall the draw of these grids but would estimate at least 50 amps, likely more. There may already be an OEM relay in the system, which would explain the flicker you're getting.

__________________
1993 D350 DRW, Getrag G350, 760,000 km, CB, Sirius Sat radio, flat deck with headache rack.

11-04-2009, 12:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
hamner10 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts hamner10's Truck Pics	heater grid problems 93 Cummins, everything seems ok when the temp is about 50 or above, wait to start light comes on and truck starts normally. At below 45 to 40 or so, I can hear the relays clicking very fast and the wait to start lamp is flashing quickly, 3 or 4 times a second, does this for 3-4-5 seconds then clicking stops, wait to start light acts normal and truck can be started ok. At 35 or below, no light, no clicking, just nothing for maybe 10-15 seconds then clicking, and eventually I can get it to start. Winter is setting in and I can plug in a block heater at home but not at work. My last Cummins would start ok when I left it at work, but I don't think this one is going to. Temp sensor, grid maybe getting weak, where to start, anyone have any ideas?

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11-04-2009, 11:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
denman Cummins Fan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 61 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts denman's Truck Pics	To avoid going to "hi-tech" fixes, you could run the grids with a HEAVY relay, like maybe an external starter relay, that you control with a switch, ... I don't recall the draw of these grids but would estimate at least 50 amps, likely more. There may already be an OEM relay in the system, which would explain the flicker you're getting. __________________ 1993 D350 DRW, Getrag G350, 760,000 km, CB, Sirius Sat radio, flat deck with headache rack.