Block heater apparently not working

JimboK · 10-04-2007, 10:48 AM

An update: Cold ICE again yesterday morning. No surprise, given the last few days' results. Last night when I got home (after dark), I plugged it in again in the now-fading hope the problem is transient. As the plug prongs went in, I noticed a brief flash suggesting a small spark and ... current flow! I tried to replicate the spark, repeatedly plugging it in while manipulating the position of the plug and the cord. Never did see the spark again, so I left it alone. This morning -- yeehaw! A warm ICE!

Makes me believe the problem is in the cord near the plug or the plug itself. I'll still get the ohmmeter onto it this weekend, but hopefully that's all it is.

philmcneal · 10-07-2007, 02:51 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Oct 4 2007, 07:48 AM) [snapback]521146[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

An update: Cold ICE again yesterday morning. No surprise, given the last few days' results. Last night when I got home (after dark), I plugged it in again in the now-fading hope the problem is transient. As the plug prongs went in, I noticed a brief flash suggesting a small spark and ... current flow! I tried to replicate the spark, repeatedly plugging it in while manipulating the position of the plug and the cord. Never did see the spark again, so I left it alone. This morning -- yeehaw! A warm ICE!

Makes me believe the problem is in the cord near the plug or the plug itself. I'll still get the ohmmeter onto it this weekend, but hopefully that's all it is.
[/b]

sometimes it could be the socket itself, i've had to hit the "reset" switch on the wall plug itself then the Block heater works again, almost like the fuse shut it self off to protect itself... werid!

Rae Vynn · 10-07-2007, 04:49 PM

Yes, I would suggest if your EBH ever doesn't work, check for blown breakers, or reset the GFC if you have it on one, before you assume the heater itself is bad (so speaks 25 years of Minnesota winter experience...).

JimboK · 10-07-2007, 09:40 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, but it's not the socket, breaker, or GFC. From the original post:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Oct 2 2007, 03:40 PM) [snapback]520460[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I've started at different locations with different outlets and extension cords, so it's not the power supply.[/b]

Green Hokie · 10-08-2007, 06:57 PM

Jim, If you end up having to buy a new EBH and need help installing it, let me know. I'd be happy to help.

JimboK · 10-08-2007, 07:49 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Green Hokie @ Oct 8 2007, 06:57 PM) [snapback]522824[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Jim, If you end up having to buy a new EBH and need help installing it, let me know. I'd be happy to help. [/b]

Thanks, Peter, I appreciate that. Still haven't had time to troubleshoot yet ... hopefully next weekend.

JimboK · 10-14-2007, 11:39 AM

OK, finally got the ohmmeter on it. As suspected, the problem appears to be just back of the plug. Manipulating the "reinforced" (using the term loosely, given this experience) section of the cord showed several points of infinite resistance. Interestingly, it had a pretty wide range of motion where it showed 40 ohms (the alligator clip assembly I used to keep it attached during the jiggling probably added a few ohms). So it's off to Lowe's or Home Depot today to buy a replacement plug.

Yesterday I took the car for a state inspection and tire rotation. While it was on the lift the shop staff let me poke around underneath. I reached up to make sure the cord was still plugged in (makes me appreciate all those who have done the blind installation themselves) and then I tried to unplug it in anticipation of possibly having to troubleshoot or replace the entire cord. I couldn't get much leverage in that tight space, and it wouldn't unplug. It's a moot point if my repair job works, but it makes me wonder: How would one unplug it? It seems almost as though Hobbit's approach from the top might be better. But then if you're going to all that trouble, it almost seems like just replacing the whole thing might be easier. But that gives rise to another question, mainly to Evan: How easy is it to get the old heater out?

**efusco** · 10-14-2007, 11:46 AM

Jim,
If you read my recent post about replacing my EBH it started as a project to replace just the cord...but the orange part of the plug that attaches to the core had gotten quite brittle and would not unplug...I had to rip it out destroying that part of the plug and thus had to remove the core too.

It's definately best you didn't force things or you'd have been stuck buying a new EBH to get a new cord. IIRC when Wayne did your install he used that black electronic silicon or something and that might make removal a little easier, but I'd still be careful. Remember, also, that there's not enough room to remove the core with the orange plug still attached, so disassembly is a risky endeavor.

JimboK · 10-15-2007, 07:03 AM

A nice toasty ICE again this morning.

I might have to spray paint the new plug though. The light gray stands out a bit against the black grill, black grill block foam, and black bra. My choices were light gray, orange, or yellow, so that was the least of all evils.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Oct 14 2007, 11:46 AM) [snapback]525434[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Jim,
If you read my recent post about replacing my EBH it started as a project to replace just the cord...but the orange part of the plug that attaches to the core had gotten quite brittle and would not unplug...I had to rip it out destroying that part of the plug and thus had to remove the core too.[/b]

I understood that. I was wondering how hard it was to get the core itself out. Just curiousity, now that mine's working.

**efusco** · 10-15-2007, 08:32 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimboK @ Oct 15 2007, 06:03 AM) [snapback]525784[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

A nice toasty ICE again this morning.

I might have to spray paint the new plug though. The light gray stands out a bit against the black grill, black grill block foam, and black bra. My choices were light gray, orange, or yellow, so that was the least of all evils.

I understood that. I was wondering how hard it was to get the core itself out. Just curiousity, now that mine's working.
[/b]

Glad you got it working again.
Getting the core out is easy...if the orange part isnt attached. But you can't get it out at all with the orange part still on...there's not enough room.

10-04-2007, 10:48 AM	#11
JimboK One owner, low mileage Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 2,548 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 4 Thanked 88 Times in 69 Posts Friends: 6	An update: Cold ICE again yesterday morning. No surprise, given the last few days' results. Last night when I got home (after dark), I plugged it in again in the now-fading hope the problem is transient. As the plug prongs went in, I noticed a brief flash suggesting a small spark and ... current flow! I tried to replicate the spark, repeatedly plugging it in while manipulating the position of the plug and the cord. Never did see the spark again, so I left it alone. This morning -- yeehaw! A warm ICE! Makes me believe the problem is in the cord near the plug or the plug itself. I'll still get the ohmmeter onto it this weekend, but hopefully that's all it is. __________________ Jim Click here for car details.

10-14-2007, 11:46 AM	#18
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,231 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	Jim, If you read my recent post about replacing my EBH it started as a project to replace just the cord...but the orange part of the plug that attaches to the core had gotten quite brittle and would not unplug...I had to rip it out destroying that part of the plug and thus had to remove the core too. It's definately best you didn't force things or you'd have been stuck buying a new EBH to get a new cord. IIRC when Wayne did your install he used that black electronic silicon or something and that might make removal a little easier, but I'd still be careful. Remember, also, that there's not enough room to remove the core with the orange plug still attached, so disassembly is a risky endeavor. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD "It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word." -Andrew Jackson

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10-07-2007, 04:49 PM	#13
Rae Vynn Tree-hugging Vegan Witch Join Date: May 2007 Location: Grays Harbor, WA, USA Posts: 4,155 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 258 Thanked 61 Times in 51 Posts Friends: 66	Yes, I would suggest if your EBH ever doesn't work, check for blown breakers, or reset the GFC if you have it on one, before you assume the heater itself is bad (so speaks 25 years of Minnesota winter experience...).

10-08-2007, 06:57 PM	#15
Green Hokie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 188 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: S Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Jim, If you end up having to buy a new EBH and need help installing it, let me know. I'd be happy to help.

10-14-2007, 11:39 AM	#17
JimboK One owner, low mileage Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 2,548 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 4 Thanked 88 Times in 69 Posts Friends: 6	OK, finally got the ohmmeter on it. As suspected, the problem appears to be just back of the plug. Manipulating the "reinforced" (using the term loosely, given this experience) section of the cord showed several points of infinite resistance. Interestingly, it had a pretty wide range of motion where it showed 40 ohms (the alligator clip assembly I used to keep it attached during the jiggling probably added a few ohms). So it's off to Lowe's or Home Depot today to buy a replacement plug. Yesterday I took the car for a state inspection and tire rotation. While it was on the lift the shop staff let me poke around underneath. I reached up to make sure the cord was still plugged in (makes me appreciate all those who have done the blind installation themselves) and then I tried to unplug it in anticipation of possibly having to troubleshoot or replace the entire cord. I couldn't get much leverage in that tight space, and it wouldn't unplug. It's a moot point if my repair job works, but it makes me wonder: How would one unplug it? It seems almost as though Hobbit's approach from the top might be better. But then if you're going to all that trouble, it almost seems like just replacing the whole thing might be easier. But that gives rise to another question, mainly to Evan: How easy is it to get the old heater out?