This would work soon as you plug in the vehicle. Or test it before the heater with thermostat has been running. Because if it is up to the set point/cutout of the heaters thermostat it would show no continuity.
So in other words, plug in the vehicle, not knowing the block heater is actually working, wait a couple hours then go touch the block, if it is warm then it is working! Guess this will work if it doesn’t matter if it is working or not, or time doesn’t matter, and you can actually get to touch the block easily..
I plugged mine in, and felt for warmth in the cord. No warmth, so the block heater is bad. Easy. That's tough to do in the Winter, but I listen for "boiling". No bailing sound, no heat - black heater is bad. Well, to my Brother to fix it.
@@staffordshires2 Yes, my brother(a Mechanic) is looking at it tomorrow - he said the cord could be bad. I doubt it, because my husband (good with electrician) said a short would have tripped the breaker, and we have a GCI outside. It's probably the heater coil itself - needs to be replaced. Thanks 🙂
I've had block heaters all my life....some you can hear, some not....I daisy chain a current meter to see if the heater is drawing in amps/watts. the extension cord lights and other gizmos usually get ruined the first time your wife pulls out of the drive and forgets to unplug the vehicle....agrivating. I know. The plug lead with these heaters are subject to weather and abuses as described and are actually fairly delicate as the wire protection is very thin and caliber of wire within is small....I've had a brand new unit ruined the same day by way of not unplugging it and getting compromised while leaving the drive....chaching....$150 or more. Not anymore....simply find the short and get a replacement plug at the hardware store, strip and rewire a new plug to the existing heater. Tada!!
I haven't used the voltmeter yet, but it does spark when the plugs are pulled apart. Sometimes it starts easy (when it does the warm up light never even comes on my 6.7 cummins) and its obvious its already warm. At other times it starts hard (and in those times the warming light stays on for a long time- as if the block heater isn't working. Something just ain't right....... Will any outlet due or might some be insificient?
Sounds like you may have a problem with a temp sensor, or your grid heater control. Or maybe a faulty connection somewhere to your block heater.. Any plug in should be good enough, if the breaker for that outlet isn't tripped, it should supply enough power to your block heater..
Taking a ohms test does not confirm the integrity of the circuit. Needs a load on the circuit to confirm if the circuit is good. You can also confirm if the block heater is working using a temp probe . Other than that is a good clip to show .
I have my 4Runner plugged in but nothing seems to be working. I don't hear anything, nor do I see any of the gauges moved. It's as of it was never plugged in. I tested it with a tester, and it's showing that it's a closed circuit, so it should be working, but I see no results. How long should it be plugged in for before starting it?
@@staffordshires2 lol there is power. The cord lights up too. Yeah, it's like -35C right now. So, about 4hrs or so before starting. Gotcha. And will I know if it's actually working before starting the vehicle? I hear nothing and set no indication that the oil is any warmer
@@michaelfrymus this is for your antifreeze/coolant. Your oil won’t be warmed unless you have a oil pan heater. So if your starting the vehicle in these nice temperatures, let the vehicle run for a while because your oil is still thick..
After the block heater cord is plugged into a Wall outlet wait a few seconds unplug the cord from the wall outlet look for a spark indicating it was working
Thx for a handy and quick video. Save my bacon. Much appreciation from cold Alberta.
Glad it helped!
Good video. Could actually hear the block heater 'hissing' after you plugged it in. 👍
Thanks for the comment.
What I found to be best is to reach under the vehicle and wrap your hand around the oil cooler.
Great video saved me 70 bucks on a multimeter by doing the spark test
Thanks for the video!
Cheers from Canada :)
Stay gold.
Thank you for your comment! Cheers back at ya from Canada as well!
Plugged my block heater in and blew my breaker. Replaced the cord end and good to go.
What if the heater has thermostat? Will you get the same result?
This would work soon as you plug in the vehicle. Or test it before the heater with thermostat has been running. Because if it is up to the set point/cutout of the heaters thermostat it would show no continuity.
Just touch the block and see if it’s warm. No tools No Problem.
So in other words, plug in the vehicle, not knowing the block heater is actually working, wait a couple hours then go touch the block, if it is warm then it is working! Guess this will work if it doesn’t matter if it is working or not, or time doesn’t matter, and you can actually get to touch the block easily..
I plugged mine in, and felt for warmth in the cord. No warmth, so the block heater is bad. Easy. That's tough to do in the Winter, but I listen for "boiling". No bailing sound, no heat - black heater is bad. Well, to my Brother to fix it.
Your cord could be broken as well. Don’t overlook the power cord to the block heater.. thanks for commenting.. hope this video helped..
@@staffordshires2 Yes, my brother(a Mechanic) is looking at it tomorrow - he said the cord could be bad. I doubt it, because my husband (good with electrician) said a short would have tripped the breaker, and we have a GCI outside. It's probably the heater coil itself - needs to be replaced. Thanks 🙂
If you Put an Amp Probe on the circuit then you can see if there is any current draw- eliminating a lot of steps 👍
can you explain? touch the same parts while reading amperage while the plug is connected to live power?
Yes this would also work, but not very many people have an amp probe.
I've had block heaters all my life....some you can hear, some not....I daisy chain a current meter to see if the heater is drawing in amps/watts. the extension cord lights and other gizmos usually get ruined the first time your wife pulls out of the drive and forgets to unplug the vehicle....agrivating. I know. The plug lead with these heaters are subject to weather and abuses as described and are actually fairly delicate as the wire protection is very thin and caliber of wire within is small....I've had a brand new unit ruined the same day by way of not unplugging it and getting compromised while leaving the drive....chaching....$150 or more. Not anymore....simply find the short and get a replacement plug at the hardware store, strip and rewire a new plug to the existing heater. Tada!!
Heard it crackle 🙂👍👍👍
Awesome, that tells you it is working.
I haven't used the voltmeter yet, but it does spark when the plugs are pulled apart. Sometimes it starts easy (when it does the warm up light never even comes on my 6.7 cummins) and its obvious its already warm. At other times it starts hard (and in those times the warming light stays on for a long time- as if the block heater isn't working. Something just ain't right.......
Will any outlet due or might some be insificient?
Sounds like you may have a problem with a temp sensor, or your grid heater control. Or maybe a faulty connection somewhere to your block heater..
Any plug in should be good enough, if the breaker for that outlet isn't tripped, it should supply enough power to your block heater..
Taking a ohms test does not confirm the integrity of the circuit. Needs a load on the circuit to confirm if the circuit is good. You can also confirm if the block heater is working using a temp probe . Other than that is a good clip to show .
Guy used an infrared thermometer at local garage. After being plugged in gor a while.
I have my 4Runner plugged in but nothing seems to be working. I don't hear anything, nor do I see any of the gauges moved. It's as of it was never plugged in. I tested it with a tester, and it's showing that it's a closed circuit, so it should be working, but I see no results.
How long should it be plugged in for before starting it?
Depending where you are and what temp, I like to have it plugged in for at least 4 hours before trying to start the vehicle when it is below -20C
Make sure you have power from your outlet through your extension cord.
@@staffordshires2 lol there is power. The cord lights up too.
Yeah, it's like -35C right now. So, about 4hrs or so before starting. Gotcha.
And will I know if it's actually working before starting the vehicle? I hear nothing and set no indication that the oil is any warmer
@@michaelfrymus this is for your antifreeze/coolant. Your oil won’t be warmed unless you have a oil pan heater. So if your starting the vehicle in these nice temperatures, let the vehicle run for a while because your oil is still thick..
@@staffordshires2 wait, really?? The heating block is for coolant? I could have sworn it was for the oil
After the block heater cord is plugged into a Wall outlet wait a few seconds unplug the cord from the wall outlet look for a spark indicating it was working
Or you can plug it in