RUBBER 1444967 - Caterpillar

If equipped with an air inlet heater (AIH) for cold weather starting, do not use aerosol types of starting aids such as ether. Such use could result in an explosion and personal injury or death.
The attachment ether aid system can be used with the Air Inlet Heater, as it sprays starting fluid downstream from the Air Inlet Heater.
Description of Operation
Startability is improved by causing the engine intake air to flow across an electric heating element. Preheating the inlet air allows starting at low ambient temperatures without the use of ether starting aids. The electric heating element is controlled by the Autoshift Transmission Control. The Autoshift Control activates a relay, which provides power to the heating element.
The actuation of the air inlet heater depends on engine coolant temperature. Below 7 ° C (45 ° F), the heater is turned on immediately when the key switch is turned ON and will remain on for a definite period of time. This is referred to as the preheat cycle. The preheat cycle ends when the preheat time is reached, or when the operator actuates the starter. At, or below, a coolant temperature of -5 ° C (23 ° F) the preheat time is 30 seconds. At a coolant temperature of 7 ° C (45 ° F) the preheat time is ten seconds. If an unsuccessful attempt is made to start the engine, another shorter preheat cycle will occur.
During engine cranking, the heater will remain ON constantly. This portion of the heating cycle is referred to as the cranking cycle.
After the engine starts, the heater will remain ON for a definite period of time, referred to as the postheat cycle. This time varies with temperature. At, or below, a coolant temperature of -5 ° C (23 ° F) the postheat time is 120 seconds. At a coolant temperature of 14 ° C (57 ° F) the postheat time is zero.
Once the postheat cycle is completed, the operator can obtain another 30 seconds of postheat time by pushing a button. This is referred to as the extended postheat cycle.
At coolant temperatures above 14 ° C (57 ° F) the air inlet heater does not work at all. Any time the inlet air heater is ON, the air inlet heater alert indicator on the Computerized Monitoring System panel will be lighted. This indicator is controlled via the data link from the Autoshift Control.
In the preheat cycle, the operator should not attempt to start the engine until the air inlet heater alert indicator has gone OFF, indicating that the preheat cycle has ended.
Component Information
Engine Speed Sensor -- For the inlet air heater to work correctly, the Autoshift Control must be able to read engine speeds as low as 125 RPM. A 109-0267 Speed Sensor Assembly should be used.
Heater Relay -- The 3E-0075 Magnetic Switch Assembly (Relay) is not designed for continuous duty at 24 volts. The Autoshift Control provides full battery voltage to the relay for two seconds, then reduces the relay coil current to 0.36