2012 Duramax Engine Heater
I just purchased a 2012 Chevy 2500 and trying to locate the engine heater you plug into a 120 house outlet. The temp is supposed to be close to zero next week. The manual says it is located on the pa...
Forum Discussion
nevadanick wrote:
How can it throw a code ? All it does is warm the coolant.
here's part of the service bulletin that explains the problem.
Some customers may comment on a Duramax Diesel vehicle with a Service Engine Soon (SES) light illuminated on the instrument cluster. Some vehicles may have been previously serviced for this same condition. Technicians may also find the following DTCs set with no concern found.
• DTC P0116: Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Performance
• DTC P0181: Fuel Temperature Sensor Performance
Cause
The Fuel Temperature Sensor, Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT), and Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensors are compared to each other during a cold start to identify a concern with any one of the sensors. Engine coolant heater usage in ambient temperatures above -18°C (0° F) may trigger a false DTC P0116 or P0181.
Correction
The diesel supplement to the Owner’s Manual advises that the engine coolant heater may be used below -18°C (0°F) to assist with cold starts. However, a customer may wish to plug in the heater when the overnight temperatures are unknown. A thermostatically controlled engine coolant heater cord is available for the prevention of false DTCs. This cord incorporates a thermostatic switch that only conducts below -18°C (0°F).
