block heater engagement question
12-16-2008, 10:09 PM
#1
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block heater engagement question
i was wondering..
the block heater on out cars doesn't work until the temp is -18C.
i want it to work when i plug it in regardless of the temp.
is it as easy as cutting off the end of the cord where the plug is and wiring up a new end to get around this? or is the temperature detected somewhere else?
the block heater on out cars doesn't work until the temp is -18C.
i want it to work when i plug it in regardless of the temp.
is it as easy as cutting off the end of the cord where the plug is and wiring up a new end to get around this? or is the temperature detected somewhere else?
12-17-2008, 08:46 PM
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no, cutting off the plug wont make a difference, its just a plug. You could look along the cord tho and see if there are any strange devices hooked in line with it, and that might be what is preventing it from engaging. However, i am not sure on this but i beleive the tempurature trigger would be in the block heater itself which would make it hard to get at and disable.
Think about it this way: GM must have a legitimate reason to make it engage at -18, so you should be fine. I know im doing fine, I didn't drive my car for about 3 or 4 days and it sat ouside (plugged in of course) in -30 weather and it started up fine today.
Think about it this way: GM must have a legitimate reason to make it engage at -18, so you should be fine. I know im doing fine, I didn't drive my car for about 3 or 4 days and it sat ouside (plugged in of course) in -30 weather and it started up fine today.
12-17-2008, 09:19 PM
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no, cutting off the plug wont make a difference, its just a plug. You could look along the cord tho and see if there are any strange devices hooked in line with it, and that might be what is preventing it from engaging. However, i am not sure on this but i beleive the tempurature trigger would be in the block heater itself which would make it hard to get at and disable.
Think about it this way: GM must have a legitimate reason to make it engage at -18, so you should be fine. I know im doing fine, I didn't drive my car for about 3 or 4 days and it sat ouside (plugged in of course) in -30 weather and it started up fine today.
Think about it this way: GM must have a legitimate reason to make it engage at -18, so you should be fine. I know im doing fine, I didn't drive my car for about 3 or 4 days and it sat ouside (plugged in of course) in -30 weather and it started up fine today.
thats what a regular end to a block heater looks like.
12-21-2008, 02:29 AM
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The temp sensor is right at the end and is actually part of the plug itself....its a round part about the same size as a quarter.......yes if you cut it off and wire in a normal plug it will work whenever you want it to........but its setup this way for a reason......If the engine detects too warm of a "cold start" it will throw a code......the car does not need to be plugged in unless its colder than -18.....it doesnt hurt the engine at all because of the materials they use to make the blocks and pistons etc....
12-21-2008, 09:46 PM
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The temp sensor is right at the end and is actually part of the plug itself....its a round part about the same size as a quarter.......yes if you cut it off and wire in a normal plug it will work whenever you want it to........but its setup this way for a reason......If the engine detects too warm of a "cold start" it will throw a code......the car does not need to be plugged in unless its colder than -18.....it doesnt hurt the engine at all because of the materials they use to make the blocks and pistons etc....
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