Plug in Heater...SPARK!!

[1qwicsvt]

Hey guys,
I went to plug in my block heater for the first time last night and it was raining outside. I pulled the truck into the garage and plugged the extension cord into the pigtail...and ARC, SPARK...and I quickly unplugged it! I don't know if water just dripped into the connection or if there is a spot where the insulation has been rubbed through?

HELP...it was upper 20s here in Ohio last night and I need the heater, ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED

~Mark~

[Goose]

check to se if there is any corosion on the truck plug and make SURE YOU PLUG IT IN TO A GFI I CAN"T STRESS THIS ENOUGH JUST ASK A GUY ON HERE THAT DIDNT HAVE A GFI WALKED OUT TO HIS TRUCK IN A BLAZE

[03f250stroke]

mine makes a spark on contact everytime i plug it in. i dont know if its as crazy as a spark as you are talking about but the first few times it got me to jump a little bit

[Banshee34]

Been a while since I plugged mine in but I don't remember there ever being a spark. I agree with the above, plug into the GFI! Also use a good extension cord!

[BlackPearl03]

Mine sparks all the time to, its plugged into a gfi aswell. I wouldnt worry about it

[Cj Ford]

all 4 of our diesels give a spark/arc when plugged in ... those heaters suck up alot of juice .. they have done it since new and no issues

[NoRalPh]

A spark is pretty normal when plugging-in any, resistance type, heater.

Try turning on your coffee maker, iron, or space heater before you plug it in and you'll see a good spark too!

[bigcountrysg]

It is common to have a spark like that. Being the amp draw by the heater. Like others have said, try plugging in a hair dryer, space heater, coffee maker when they are turned on. You will get a spark. The spark is nothing more then an arc from the two different contacts of the extension cord and the pig tail of the block heater. If you plug it in fast enough you will not get that spark.

[1qwicsvt]

Thanks for the help guys...I'm pretty new to owning a diesel, although I know enough about them to be dangerous LOL And one thing is for sure, the Marinco Mod will be happening soon, the pigtail is a PITA!

Thanks, Mark

[Southpaw]

The spark is only normal if it is coming from the actual connection. If it is coming from the backside of the plug like mine was, cut the male plugend off and install a new one.