Block heater cord vanished

[Warlord]

Got back from a five hour drive to find my block heater cord missing. No clue where it went or how it broke off. I didn't leave it plugged in and drive away. Anyone know where this so called freeze plug is for the block heater? I'd like to find where the cord broke and possibly repair it.

On a side note, I installed a new 150 watt oil pan heater and a battery blanket today. Once everything is up and running this thing will probably melt all the snow on my driveway!

 

[zrxkawboy]

It will be in one of the freeze plug holes in the block; each engine will have a different location. You can buy replacement cords from the parts store.

 

[D189379]

What does a battery blanket do?

 

[Warlord]

It's a wrap with a heating element in it. Plug it in and it keeps your battery warm. Fired up this morning like it was summer.

 

[Torino]

Originally Posted By: Warlord
It's a wrap with a heating element in it. Plug it in and it keeps your battery warm. Fired up this morning like it was summer.
Yes, keeping the battery warm does wonders. John--Las Vegas.

 

[rcy]

Originally Posted By: Warlord
Got back from a five hour drive to find my block heater cord missing. No clue where it went or how it broke off. I didn't leave it plugged in and drive away. Anyone know where this so called freeze plug is for the block heater? I'd like to find where the cord broke and possibly repair it.

On a side note, I installed a new 150 watt oil pan heater and a battery blanket today. Once everything is up and running this thing will probably melt all the snow on my driveway!

Probably easier (and maybe safer) to just buy a new cord. It simply plugs into the heater.

 

[marc1]

I am not sure if you are aware of this or not but that cord for your year vehicle would have had a special temperature sensing plug that prevents block heater operation at any temperature above -18C. When you replace it make sure you buy the correct part. You just can't go to Canadian Tire / Home Depot etc. and get a plug end anymore.

What is this all about you are wondering? Your computer checks 3 inputs when first starting, Air Intake Temp, Coolant Temp and Transmission Temp to verify the health of the transmitters. If they are not all the same you will get a fault code set.

 

[Warlord]

Originally Posted By: marc1
I am not sure if you are aware of this or not but that cord for your year vehicle would have had a special temperature sensing plug that prevents block heater operation at any temperature above -18C. When you replace it make sure you buy the correct part. You just can't go to Canadian Tire / Home Depot etc. and get a plug end anymore.

What is this all about you are wondering? Your computer checks 3 inputs when first starting, Air Intake Temp, Coolant Temp and Transmission Temp to verify the health of the transmitters. If they are not all the same you will get a fault code set.


I was not at all aware of this. Thank you. Seems like everything to do with this truck ends up being more complicated/expensive than it ought to be. I'd take my ranger back if it would pull my travel trailer.

 

[Ross]

If the cord was for the avalanche, then it does have the thermostat in the male part of the cord. The replacement cord is about $125 US.. You can purcahse an aftermarket cord that does not have the thermostat in it, but the bock heater would be on all the time. Thermostat cord only comes on at below 0F.

The reason for this is that above 0 F the computer in the truck will do a scan of various sensors at start up. If the coolant temp is not close to the air inlet temp, it will throw a code. At below 0 F the computer dose not do this check. Thus you can heat the coolant.

I have several GM cars and have searched this issue on several forums. Many have used an aftermarket cord without the thermostat or removed the thermostat part of the cord, resulting in the block heater on all the time. Some cars will throw the code and some don't. I did this with my 09 staturn outlook 3.6L
and have not thrown the code yet.

BTW, the aftermarket cord was only $25....

 

[Ross]

You could also replace it with a non thermostat cord and just not use it above 0 F

 

[sciphi]

How far back does that go? I've run my Buick on a coolant heater for 2 months now with no issues.

Pardon me if I'm stating the obvious, but what good is a block heater if it will only turn on at 0*F? I'd sure be cheesed to buy a heater to help with the 10*F overnights we get, and find it won't help at all.

 

[IndyIan]

I'd just put a normal plug onto whats left of the cord and then use a timer to turn on the block heater an hour or two before you go to work.
Do you have a scanguage or the newer cheaper version(I forget what its called...) so you can just clear the codes if any pop up.

 

[marc1]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
How far back does that go? I've run my Buick on a coolant heater for 2 months now with no issues.


I am not exactly sure... 2005 is the first time I saw it. I think your Buick is fine, my 2004 Grand Prix is normal. The cord is quite distinct, the plug end is much larger than normal and is shaped different.

 

[Warlord]

I don't have a scanguage but I can get one pretty quick. I might not even bother with the block heater at all though. Last night it was -36 celcius without the wind and it started instantly with no fuss at all.

 

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: marc1
I am not sure if you are aware of this or not but that cord for your year vehicle would have had a special temperature sensing plug that prevents block heater operation at any temperature above -18C. When you replace it make sure you buy the correct part. You just can't go to Canadian Tire / Home Depot etc. and get a plug end anymore.

What is this all about you are wondering? Your computer checks 3 inputs when first starting, Air Intake Temp, Coolant Temp and Transmission Temp to verify the health of the transmitters. If they are not all the same you will get a fault code set.


Wacky. I'd modify the GM cord and do a work-around on the sensors or just clear codes occasionally if necessary. I often like to have a warm engine on start-up even when it's only -15C, or -10C, or -5C . . .

 

[Warlord]

Originally Posted By: rpn453
Originally Posted By: marc1
I am not sure if you are aware of this or not but that cord for your year vehicle would have had a special temperature sensing plug that prevents block heater operation at any temperature above -18C. When you replace it make sure you buy the correct part. You just can't go to Canadian Tire / Home Depot etc. and get a plug end anymore.

What is this all about you are wondering? Your computer checks 3 inputs when first starting, Air Intake Temp, Coolant Temp and Transmission Temp to verify the health of the transmitters. If they are not all the same you will get a fault code set.


Wacky. I'd modify the GM cord and do a work-around on the sensors or just clear codes occasionally if necessary. I often like to have a warm engine on start-up even when it's only -15C, or -10C, or -5C . . .


Indeed. I wonder if someone else was outraged at the price of a new cord and swiped mine.....