Block Heater trouble

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anahataray - 20 Nov 2006 04:39 GMT

I have an 83 300SD, and when I plug in the block heater, it trips the GFI
outlet that I have it plugged in to. I know it is neither the cord or the
outlet that is the problem. Thanks for the help!

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trader4@optonline.net - 20 Nov 2006 13:38 GMT

> I have an 83 300SD, and when I plug in the block heater, it trips the GFI
> outlet that I have it plugged in to. I know it is neither the cord or the
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Message posted via CarKB.com
> http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/mercedes/200611/1

Sounds like the heater has a short with enough leakage current to trip
the GFCI and needs to be replaced. You could also try running an
extension cord to another GFCI circuit and see what happens, but I
would expect it's going to trip too.

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Tiger - 20 Nov 2006 21:32 GMT

Check the wire and make sure there is no cuts or obvious short. You can do a
simple test of resistance with a multimeter... if it is very low
resistance... then you got a short.

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Richard Sexton - 29 Nov 2006 20:57 GMT

>I have an 83 300SD, and when I plug in the block heater, it trips the GFI
>outlet that I have it plugged in to. I know it is neither the cord or the
>outlet that is the problem. Thanks for the help!

Next step is replace the block heater cable (from underneath the car). It's
a $5 mail order part or $50 at the dealer or something like that. That SHOULD
fix it as the cords to seem to short out with age - they harden and crack then
a bit of water gets in there.

Oh yeah. BTDT. I have like 3 spares of that part now. Just in case.

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