Block heater apparently not working

The past two mornings I've started with ICE temps in the 60s as opposed to the normal 140s. I've started at different locations with different outlets and extension cords, so it's not the power supply. I'm confident it's not just an erroneous reading in Can-View; the car's behavior (i.e., prolonged warmup cycle) is consistent with a cold start. Best guess, therefore, is that the block heater itself isn't working.

A PC search found three other reported instances of block heater failure. One was Evan's with his plug failures. The other two didn't work from the beginning, one from faulty installation and another after dealer installation, with no resolution reported in the thread.

I've never pulled off with it plugged in (like others have reported ), but I figure I can start with replacing the plug if need be. I can inspect whatever portion of the cord inside the car for obvious physical damage. Any further ideas for troubleshooting? Any theories on where exactly the problem might be? Has anyone heard of the heater element ever failing?

 

Thanks to both of you.

David, I have a multimeter and already plan to check the resistance. But I wasn't sure what more I could do besides the plug-jiggling maneuver. Not having installed it myself, are you guys suggesting the cord detaches from the heater itself? Easily?

Evan, I figure a replacement would be a lot easier than a first-time installation. No guessing as to which hole to use, where it's located, or where to route the cord.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Oct 3 2007, 09:28 AM) [snapback]520539[/snapback]</div>

Thanks, Evan. I've seen pictures of the uninstalled parts. My concern was whether the cord can be unplugged at the heater once installed. I didn't know, for example, whether it clips or locks into place. It sounds like it doesn't.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Oct 3 2007, 01:56 PM) [snapback]520699[/snapback]</div>

I was going to ask you the same thing. It stopped working right after you left town.

 

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.

 

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>

 

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

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

 

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?

 

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>

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