One more "What is it?" thread about a 1995 Ford Diesel

[tallyho8]

I went to replace my headlights and I saw this wire dangling that I had never noticed before. I bought the truck new so it is not aftermarket and I don't know what it is. Since it is a 120 volt plug the only think I could even think it might be is a heater for the diesel but it is not mentioned on the window sticker and those heaters are never used this far south. What is it?

 

[Lastkidpicked]

I love that view!

Our Ford Highboy is the same color of red, so I've seen a similar view of the engine compartment many times.

You are holding the cord that goes to your engine block heater. The reason it is behind your headlight is so that you can pull it through the grill in the winter. I own several older Fords and have never seen a 7.3 WITHOUT a block heater, so it may have been standard equipment.

 

[seville009]

My first thought was block heater too.

Where does the other end of the cord go to?

I had them as stock items in my 2006 and 2011 F350s, both gas engines. I think for the gas engines, they are only standard in certain regions (i’m in the northeast)

 

[RustyA]

Engine block heater cord, should lead to frost plug heater on driver's side of engine block. Newer 7.3 99+ have a heater element on both sides. Navistar included the heater element on all 7.3 blocks, trucks shipped to northern tier included a cord tied up by battery.

 

[dodge man]

It charges the batteries, that way the engine doesn‘t even run the first 30 miles. Actually I agree, block heater.

 

[tallyho8]

We had an unusual cold spell about 10 years ago and my truck cranked so slowly it wouldn't start. I wish I had known I had a block heater back then.

 

[rangerfredbob]

Definitely a block heater, the other end is at the back end of the oil cooler on the drivers side of the engine...

 

[Rockbadchild]

If someone ask you to tell them you are from the south without telling them your from the south show him this post lol .... its is a option when you pre order a new vehicle ... all Canadian dealers make sure to select this options when ordering a vehicle but way less common in the stats.