Im in the Army and installed a GM block heater into one of the freeze plugs before PCSing to Alaska. Its cold as cold gets here and not sure if it is really warming my block. In the mornings the temp gauge doesnt read anything when I first start my H3 up. It takes about 15 minutes for it to warm to the 1/4 mark on the temp gauge and this is with outside temp being zero +/- a degree or two.

Anybody that has one of these that is in a climate cold like this, please fill me in on your experiences. Thanks for the help!

 

use a multi meter and check that you have a complete circuit. my factory block heater has temp sensor in it that doesnt complete circuit unless its below -20 or -22 C

 

Something else you could try. I hibernate my '86 Corvette in the winter, but I fire it up every couple of weeks. I picked up an oil heater YEARS ago, (can't even remember where I got it). It's a long bendable metal rod with a plastic grip at one end with a short electrical cord coming out. You feed it down your dipstick hole, plug it in, and it keeps the oil at a good viscosity for quick starting and easy flow. http://www.amazon.com/Kats-15200-Dip.../dp/B000BO74DG

 

There is also an electric "patch" that simply sticks to your oil pan, and you plug it in. It heats the oil and eventually the block. Bad thing is if you offroad much, it may be in a precarious position. Ill try to find the link and post after the inlaws leave. edit: Here is the link http://www.wolverineheater.com/

 

Is this in an H3 with the factory block heater? Why doesnt it turn on until below -20? If you do in fact have an H3 with the factory block heater, then that would explain why mine isnt working cause it hasnt gotten that cold here yet.

 

Got another one for ya. Should I use my multimeter to check for resistence or amps? Where should I place the leads from the multimeter? I would think between the extension cord and the male end that plugs into the block? Sorry for the rookie quesition but I have no idea how to use a multimeter lol, thanks.

 

use multi meter between the tw0 male prongs (blades) of the plug that plugs into wall/extension cord you should have some resistance there (ohms) and should read OL (over limit) between either blade and the ground prong on male end of plug. My 08 is h3x alpha comes with factory block heater and only comes on under -20/ -22 C. Im pretty sure the sensor is right at the male plug end of the block heater cord, you can see it looks a little different than a normal plug. I guess you could just cut it off and install a new plug end to work 100% of the time.

 

thought i should add this. if you do have a sensor in the cord dont expect to get any reading with a multi meter until the sensor closes and completes the circuit

 

this was in a 07 owners manual
Your
vehicle may also have an internal thermostat in the
plug end of the cord. This will prevent operation of
the engine coolant heater when the temperature is

at or above 0F (−18C) as noted on the cord.