redbugdave

Hello ArticJ and the block heater gang, I have also been wondering about the block heater issue. For me, I have not used mine since I originally had the problem...2 or 3 months ago. It's been a really warm winter down here and the low temperatures have been in the 20s and 30s. A conspiracy theory...I suspect GM had this global warming thing in mind to keep us from using our block heaters... Seriously though, this issue is not dead for me, and I have been occasionally checking this topic for further developments, like you. Also, a reply to Neil...about taking the tumor cap off and pulling the thermostat from inside, reconnecting and putting the cap back on. That's ingenious! I did not even think of doing that...I just wanted that durn cancerous thermostat plug off! I sure wished Neil would have posted before I cut mine off! Ohhh well. If we don't get cold weather, then we need to revive this topic NEXT winter!

Hello ArticJ...I have not used my block heater since taking it into the dealer to figure out what was wrong and fix it, (clear the code). It has not been cold enough down here, lately. I have a 2006 6.0L HD. I still think the temperature guage thing is related in some way and have had no problems since, (the temp guage acted up only when I used the block heater). I think I will get one of those code readers for the truck, since inquiring minds need to know. That was a good idea of cutting off the old plug and leaving a tail to splice back on, just in case. I wish I had thought of that. When the weather gets cold enough, (teens), I will plug it in and try it for a couple cycles and report in. By the way, a couple of my plum trees are in full bloom down here, and the daffodiles are poking up with this weather. Has the groundhog seen his shadow...or is it too soon?

Hi GM Tech and y'all...(I'm from the south), I did cut my "tumored" plug off and spliced in a new one. Me thinks the GM guys at Fixit Center sometimes talk with forked tongue. My question...When the light comes on, does my engine run in a different mode...or less efficiently like they said? Otherwise, I can live with the engine light on...black electrical tape over the light should do it, ha ha. But my temperature guage also quit working because of the code issue. I WANT THE TEMP GUAGE TO WORK! Maybe plugging in a scan tool and deleting the codes every time you use the truck and an aftermarket temp guage...just run the wires over the hood to the engine. Sounds like a good aftermarket gimmick...err...tool....lotsa money.... Awww, quit whining you whiners. In my grandad's day, they used reindeer and a pack of dogs to get to work. Do you know what it costs to feed a pack of dogs? Next thing, someone will ask if they can have have a heater on their sled for only a 5 hour trip to work....sorry for the sarcasm.... GM goofed on this one!

Hi there guys, I have been reading your post with a lot of interest. And here's my story...I'm stickin to it... I have a 6.0 liter 2006 and ordered it with a block heater. Been through all that about the 0 degree thermostat. I cut the durned plug end off and soldered in a regular one. The original one was the 0 degree type, with the "tumor"...and it had the label on the plug end which said, "0 degree". (I tried it in warmer weather and the themostat really does work and does not let electricity to the the heater). Even though I live in balmy SC, I have had block heaters in the past and when it gets down in the teens it's good to have one to depend on in cold weather, (also lived in Fairbanks). Cold temperature starts ARE really hard on engine components. Anyway...I plugged the heater, (with the replacement-spliced in regular plug), into my trusty timer set to go on a couple hours before I go to work, (it was 17 degrees that morning). Unplug the wire and I drove to work. The engine heater had worked. But, after about 6 miles, the temperature guage quit working as I was driving! And it did not work driving home later that day. Next morning, same senario. Plugged in my heater to the timer, drove to work...no temp guage reading...AND "Service Engine Soon" light came on as I drove to work, that morning. Same scenario on the way back home from work that day. So...I went to the GM Service Center. I knew it must have had something to do with the heater. The tech basically told me the same drivel about the engine codes, 40 cycles, 2 consecutive times, etc. etc. blah, blah, blah. Boy...am I relieved that there's a few people out there that feel like me. I sure am glad I found this site! I think GM needs to do a reprogram on the computer so we can use an engine heater as it's supposed to be used! Can that be done? I have not used the heater since. What a shame! The tech also said that the engine will operate in a less efficient mode until the code clears. The tech cleared the code, and no problems...and I haven't used the heater since! What a shame! He also told me that the block heater is "wired" into the computer system of the truck. When I got home, I crawled under and looked at the block heater, cord, etc., and where it goes into the engine block and realized that was just BS he told me...probably trying to scare me from doing any more "tinkering". I guess if I were in his shoes, I may have done the same, to keep people from showing up at the fixit center with problems that GM should not have with better engineering... Is there any way around this problem, (other than keeping yer truck in the bedroom next to the wife), to keep it warm? Seriously, we need to find a fix or a suitable workaround!