Oil Pan Heater Cord freezes in winter

[Emersonic]

So, I've already had an issue where my oil sending unit lost its hold on the engine and spewed forth the slippery stuff all over the driveway...and now, at -26C, went to unplug it so we could use it, and the cord on the car that plugs into the oil pan heater, shatters like fine China dropped off the counter. Jeez did they not do any cold weather testing on this thing? Never in 25+ years of driving has this happened. Can't even plug it in now unless I want to get zapped by bare wires...it's almost laughable. Makes me wonder what else will go wrong before it's even broken in.

Anyone else experience this? Or is everyone else lucky enough to have a garage big enough to keep all 3 and/or lives in a climate where it never dips down that cold?

I'm guessing electrical or some good flexible hockey tape is the answer for a quick fix at this point. Or parking it in the garage and putting one of the Ford's outside...since they at least won't do it.

 

[Eric Smit]

Wow, that's intense. obviously we're all going to say let your dealer know.


-Eric Smit

 

[lambertsonic]

Myself and another member had this issue . The dealer will change it to a updated one .

 

[sx sonic]

Wow unfournate
That updated plug sounds promising, time for the dealer

 

[Emersonic]

Wife went to the dealer to get her cell ph looked at (they also sell phones for the local provider) and the salesman asked her how she liked it. It's small she said...pause...trying to keep it light, "Nice wheels!" he says. Then she brings up the cord, and they bring it in right away and "that shouldn't happen!" and they taped it up. Next time I have time they said to just bring it in and they'll fix it. I should check if they know about the updated part - hopefully it's a rubberized cord, or it'll just happen again. Looks like a PITA to replace too, the thing runs into another sleeve of other wires...I'm guess it would mean replacing the entire pan heater?? In which case maybe I should go to the local tractor dealer, and get one that isn't thermostatically controlled (I'm, again assuming, that the one from the factory is - probably doesn't go on until it's -20° or so) and would likely have a rubberized cord. Guess we'll see what they have across the street first.

 

[Papasonic]

In regard to the question: Is the oil pan heater controlled by a thermostat?
On the power cord on my vehicles heater, there is a label that states that is will operate when the ambient temperature reaches 0 degrees farenheit.

 

[lambertsonic]

In regard to the question: Is the oil pan heater controlled by a thermostat?
On the power cord on my vehicles heater, there is a label that states that is will operate when the ambient temperature reaches 0 degrees farenheit.

Yes it is controlled by a thermostat . I think that it turns on somewhere around 0degrees Fahrenheit .

 

[$ub$onic]

I'm sure you can tear it apart and replace the resister so it turns on when ever you plug it in

 

[ChrisJ]

I'm sure you can tear it apart and replace the resister so it turns on when ever you plug it in

replaced the resistor? Sometimes its very obvious when someone knows close to nothing about electronics

 

[$ub$onic]

Duh.... I'm not the electrical person in my family.... I always go to my father in law....

 

[RS Turbo]

It is not a resistor it is a Thermistor!

 

[ChrisJ]

It is not a resistor it is a Thermistor!

Maybe,

Something tells me it would use a bi-metal switch rather than an actual circuit with a thermistor.

 

[RS Turbo]

Its a Thermistor that changes the heater element resistance when temp drops. Bi metal switches have not been used in years!

Trust me...

 

[ChrisJ]

Its a Thermistor that changes the heater element resistance when temp drops. Bi metal switches have not been used in years!

Trust me...

Show me a picture of it or a schematic, until then I trust no one. opcorn:

 

[RS Turbo]

There are no schematics Found unless you get them from the Manufacture of the heater itself.

Because It plugs into a 110 outlet not the vehicle.

Take one and measure the resistance across the element and place in the freezer for 15 min and recheck the resistace. If it changes it is a thermistor.