My Block Heater Is Cold?
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Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 300
From: Lake Zurich, IL
My Block Heater Is Cold?
Has anyone had this happen?
I left my B.H. plugged in for several (overnight) hours and, just out of curiousity, checked it this morning. It was cold to the touch, no warmth at all. I know it won''t be blazing hot, but I at least figured it wold be warm. Judging an improvement in mpgs is hard b/c I also blocked my grill at the same time I installed the BH. Is this normal, or should I try to swap the cord or something?
Thank You!
I left my B.H. plugged in for several (overnight) hours and, just out of curiousity, checked it this morning. It was cold to the touch, no warmth at all. I know it won''t be blazing hot, but I at least figured it wold be warm. Judging an improvement in mpgs is hard b/c I also blocked my grill at the same time I installed the BH. Is this normal, or should I try to swap the cord or something?
Thank You!
Active Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 215
From: Minneapolis, MN
Re: My Block Heater Is Cold?
The only way to really be sure is to hook up a ScanGuage and look at the coolant temperature. Before I got my SG, my temperature gauge would only show a single block even after it had been plugged in all night. When I saw this I was wondering if my block heater was working. However, with a single temperature block showing on the temp gauge, the coolant temperature was still 85 degrees F. I don't believe the Hybrid's in-dash gauge will show more than one temperature "block" until coolant temperature is greater than 100 degrees F.
Eco Accelerometrist
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,191
From: Winnipeg, MB
Re: My Block Heater Is Cold?
Mike, if you have a multimeter (you should get one if you don't) measure the resistance across the pins of your block heater plug. If you get 34-35 Ohms then you should be OK. If you get too much resistance or anything looking like a short then , yes, replace that cord.
Assuming that the resistance is good, you should also see if there's power in the outlet. Some parking lots provide only partial (half wave) or timed power. If so that may help explain things a little.
Cheers;
MSantos
Assuming that the resistance is good, you should also see if there's power in the outlet. Some parking lots provide only partial (half wave) or timed power. If so that may help explain things a little.
Cheers;
MSantos
MEAN TO BE GREEN ACTIVIST
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 245
From: NWestern New York State
Re: My Block Heater Is Cold?
A few comments. I plug my car in at work. I suspected that I did not have a good connection based on the miles it took to warm up. I took a nightlight with me to work - so I could do a quick check. I find that the car usually is up to temp (9 blocks), by 1.5 miles. Without the block heater I could go 4-5 miles depending on the outside temp. Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 300
From: Lake Zurich, IL
Re: My Block Heater Is Cold?
A few comments. I plug my car in at work. I suspected that I did not have a good connection based on the miles it took to warm up. I took a nightlight with me to work - so I could do a quick check. I find that the car usually is up to temp (9 blocks), by 1.5 miles. Without the block heater I could go 4-5 miles depending on the outside temp. Good luck.
MSantos, I don't have a scanguage yet but I know where I can borrow one at least, so I'll give it a try.
Thanks!!
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