Block Heater Usage

[ZachBoyer]

So Im moving up to northern utah about 30 miles from Salt Lake City. Im going to be moving into the mountains and my truck wont start if I dont plug it in. I know this is my glow plugs or relay. BUT I have been unemployed for 3 weeks and cant fix it due to money problems. If I were to put a battery in the bed of my truck and run an extension cord from that to my block heater, how long would it take to drain that battery? I would only use this battery for the block heater while at work (a ski resort) and could charge it at night? What are my options for this method?

Thanks

[vitalidle]

Another option you could do is if the relay is bad and the glow plugs are good you could just put a jumper wire from the 12volt hot post to the other post let the glow plugs warm up a bit and then start your truck. Just remember to pull the jumper wire

[ZachBoyer]

From the hot post to what post? I havnt looked at it yet. Are there 2 posts or 3. So this method would bypass a bad relay?

[ZachBoyer]

I just looked and there are 4 posts. 2 big screw posts and 2 small screw posts in a + form. What do I jump what

[vitalidle]

Its a 4 post relay the two large posts are the ones your going to jump. One side is 12 volt hot from the battery so get yourself a light or meter and find that post. Then use a jumper wire with some alagator clips probobly at least 12 guage wire and clip the both posts that will send power to your glow plugs. If you have a bad relay you won't have 12 volts flowing from the large post from the battery to the other post out to the glow plugs. With a light or meter when you cycle the key on to the wait to start light see if you have 12volts to the opposite large post if you do your glow plugs are probobly bad if you don't then the relay is bad and you can jump the relay

[ZachBoyer]

Thanks for your help! Im going to do it now

[vitalidle]

Yeah because your block heater would run a battery down in no time at all especially in cold temps. Just don't forget to pull the jumper wire when your done

[vitalidle]

Also use a pair of gloves with the jumper wire as it will probobly be hot when you disconnect.

[ZachBoyer]

So this morning I jumped from the 1 big screw to the other big screw. Was this right. I did it 1 time and it didnt work, so i plugged inthe truck then I decided to take a shower and try it again, didnt work, so I put the wire on there really tight to make sure it was connected and the truck started with no problem, You think it was the plug or I jumped it right?

[vitalidle]

Did you test out the relay first to see if its working? Its possible your glow plugs need replaced. Here read this and test out your gp's and relay and then see if its even worth using the jump wireTroubleshooting GPR & GP's