Removing the Viscous Heater, Anyone Done It?

fastRob · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 7:39 pm

What use is the viscous heater?
Can it be removed?
Has anyone done it?

racertracer · **Posted:** Sat May 01, 2010 8:40 pm

You can disable it by removing the viscous heater relay from the fuse box.

kapalczynski · **Posted:** Sun May 02, 2010 12:59 am

Just posted this in another thread, but I think it applies to you.

I have created a switch to disable the AC compressor, and you could disable the VH in the same way.

The problem with the AC compressor: Every time you have your fan on defrost, or defrost/feet, even on heat with out AC "on", the AC compressor runs. This sucks fuel economy also. I like running defrost to circulate air rather than vent in my face, and don't want the AC on.

Sounds like the VH, if it is running alot, could be killing your economy also.

The VH is relay # 36 under the hood.

Here's my writeup for the switches. Like I said, you can do the same thing with the VH relay. I also made an ABS disable switch for off road use and a high beam override switch so I can have HB. LB, and fog lights all on at the same time (normally when the high beams are turned on, the low beams and fog lights get turned off).

Hope this helps you out,

- Mark

fastRob · **Posted:** Sun May 02, 2010 6:09 pm

Mark,
Thanks, yes, I looked at that, great idea. These must be some of little "improvements" that give the 06's so much less fuel mileage than the stock 05's.
I am not much of a wiring guy.
But I will go for that thermostat mod you are doing.
R

jeepdan · **Posted:** Sun May 02, 2010 11:53 pm

I really like the idea of using high and low beam lights together at the same time. It would improve safety on secluded country roads with all of the deer that I have to watch out for. How well does the relay breaker handle that amperage?

kapalczynski · **Posted:** Mon May 03, 2010 12:57 am

jeepdan wrote:

I really like the idea of using high and low beam lights together at the same time. It would improve safety on secluded country roads with all of the deer that I have to watch out for. How well does the relay breaker handle that amperage?

Mee toooo...hence the switch. Also nice for long night drives so you don't have to stare at the bright high beam indicator that glares at you at night. lol

I have a switch going to a separate relay, then voltage to the circuit. The relay is capable of double the amperage of the circuit so it should be good to go.

KeighJeigh · **Posted:** Mon May 03, 2010 1:14 am

jeepdan wrote:

I really like the idea of using high and low beam lights together at the same time. It would improve safety on secluded country roads with all of the deer that I have to watch out for. How well does the relay breaker handle that amperage?

I've wondered about doing that too. Has anyone tried it for an extended amount of time? You could put a larger breaker in, but I always assumed both filaments running simultaneously would create too much heat and burn out the bulbs. ???
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kapalczynski: Great write-up btw! I've got it in my bookmarked list of things to do for this car.

kapalczynski · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2010 1:21 am

KeighJeigh wrote:

jeepdan wrote:

I really like the idea of using high and low beam lights together at the same time. It would improve safety on secluded country roads with all of the deer that I have to watch out for. How well does the relay breaker handle that amperage?

I've wondered about doing that too. Has anyone tried it for an extended amount of time? You could put a larger breaker in, but I always assumed both filaments running simultaneously would create too much heat and burn out the bulbs. ???
-----------------
kapalczynski: Great write-up btw! I've got it in my bookmarked list of things to do for this car.

NP, glad to help.

I think i probably haven't ran the dual beams more than 30 constantly, no issues as of yet.

I think the manufacturer would have to allow for this since if you hold the high beam lever down it keeps both on...legally they probably wouldn't want to deal with a fire, melted headlights if someone might be bold enough to hold it for a long time on the highway....but they may have figured after 5min they would get tired of holding it and let go...lol...who knows...

MrMopar64 · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2010 5:59 am

With the dealer scan tool, it is possible to enable low beams with high beams in the body control module.

BVCRD · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2010 9:48 am

I got a "kit" on ebay for the GT to allow this. A relay switch, and wiring harness. High beams with fog light really allow for seeing deer and elk before it is too late. Might be one available for the KJ.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2010 1:47 pm

In the early days of the CRD forum...there was a guy who modified his A/C panel so that the switch would not signal for the compressor to kick on with certain modes of operation. That was cool. Wonder where that went?

Squeeto · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2010 4:25 pm

LibertyCRD wrote:

In the early days of the CRD forum...there was a guy who modified his A/C panel so that the switch would not signal for the compressor to kick on with certain modes of operation. That was cool. Wonder where that went?

This from CHessMaster?

kapalczynski · **Posted:** Wed May 05, 2010 10:17 pm

Squeeto wrote:

LibertyCRD wrote:

In the early days of the CRD forum...there was a guy who modified his A/C panel so that the switch would not signal for the compressor to kick on with certain modes of operation. That was cool. Wonder where that went?

This from CHessMaster?

Thats great, but what if you want AC on again in defrost or feet mode in the summer? I just hit the switch and it is factory again...easy.

CABBYGUY · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 12:13 am

will disabling the VH or the AC in this manner cause any long term issues with either system.

I always heard that the the AC needs to be cycled to keep the system cycling appropriately.

Any issue with long term relay disabling the VH.

Any thoughts.

Cheers!

GreenDieselEngineering · **Joined:** Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1111

The AC should be cycled on weekly or more during the winter for at least 10 seconds to lubricate the system. The viscous heater can be permanently shut off with no adverse effects...except for poor cabin heat if in cold winter climates. If the ambient temps do not get below 20 F, then the VH is not necessary.

danoid · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 11:17 am

I pulled the relay under the hood labeled 'Viscous Heat'. But then I noticed that a fair amount of dirt still made it into the relay box, so I replaced the relay with a 'dummy.'

With a couple real small screwdrivers you can remove the cover of the iso relay. Then remove the armature so it will never relay current, replace cover, and put the relay back in. No dirt in the empty connection socket, and when it gets cold, plop a good relay back in.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Wed May 12, 2010 2:15 pm

With the A/C panel mod in that pic you can still turn the compressor on and off with the press of a button. It just doesn't force the compressor on in certain modes. Right? Wouldn't that be ideal?

kapalczynski · **Posted:** Sun May 16, 2010 3:30 am

LibertyCRD wrote:

With the A/C panel mod in that pic you can still turn the compressor on and off with the press of a button. It just doesn't force the compressor on in certain modes. Right? Wouldn't that be ideal?

That is correct. With it "on" it is still controlled by the dash controls it ecactly as factory in this position, with it "off" it will not turn on regardless of what mode or even if you push the AC button on the controls it stays off.

- Mark

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Wed Nov 03, 2010 9:58 pm

So I pulled my viscous heater relay today. Don't want it running all the time in this 40-50 degree weather. So GDE says this will not harm the viscous heater...is that right? I can leave it disabled permanently?

CATCRD · **Posted:** Wed Nov 03, 2010 10:04 pm

LibertyCRD wrote:

So I pulled my viscous heater relay today. Don't want it running all the time in this 40-50 degree weather. So GDE says this will not harm the viscous heater...is that right? I can leave it disabled permanently?

Mine is. Shouldn't hurt it.

Removing the Viscous Heater, Anyone Done It?

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