Hello, Newbie here looking for anyone who might be able to help. Have an 04 Dodge 3500, the last 2 winters I've been having to keep it plugged in or it has really, really rough starts. I've been too afraid to use command start and I'm hoping to put an end to that.
I got thinking that it's probably the grid heater and read a post on here that there should be 12 volts of power at the grid when the "glow plug" light is on, on the dash and 0 volts when the light is out.
I just tested and both sides show 10.6 volts when the light is on. Now after cycling a couple/few times, I do actually feel heat on the outside of the element.
Can anyone tell me is 10.6 volts acceptable or does that mean the elements are probably on there way out and I should replace? Or any tests I can do to check?
Just because I can feel heat, does that mean the grid heater is working properly? Or does the feel for heat test, not real mean anything?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Your truck should really have no problems starting even without the grid heater down to about 15*. I would take a look at your batteries or maybe have them load tested. The grid heater it's self very rarely goes bad.

 

Batteries are tested and good. Hits 0 degrees and the truck is nothing but a smoke and vibration show. Once it warms up, it's fine. Starts and runs fine all spring, summer and fall. In the winter, when plugged in, it's all good. But having to plug in constantly just seems crazy.
Only thing I could figure was the lift pump or the grid heater. Figured it can't be the lift pump or it just wouldn't be a cold weather thing.
My grid heater is getting power and the volts to drop to 0 when the dash light goes out, I can't thing of anything else it could be. (Injectors were replaced not long ago....) When I tested and only got 10.6 Volts instead of the expected 12 Volts, just makes me wonder if I am on the right track and wondering if I can get some helpful hints to either confirm of eliminate this as my problem....

 

Check the relays and make sure they are passing the voltage correctly and the supply wire on the passenger side battery is good.