Found a plug receptical ???

[Robdaparamedic]

I'm wondering if anyone can help me out here. I found a plug receptical in the front grill of my '00 and I can't find anything in the manual explaining what this is. I can guess this is for some kind of engine block heater but why wouldn't this be listed as an option in the manual?? I don't want to just plug a line into this and have something blow up. Anyone have this on their van?? Thanks in advance.

Rob

[CnlK]

You are correct, if the plug looks like your standard 110 VAC, it is for a block heater. My 2000 had one and I never noticed it until the block heater developed a coolant leak.

[tripletdaddy]

It would be the two or three pronged end for it to take power, not a receptacle, unless you do have the female end. Just follow the wire. I may have been an aftermarket add on that Ford doesn't do, but in the far north, they are very common. Some are installed right in the block like Cnlk said. I've also seen them spliced into the lower radiator hose. These things are extremely common on diesels.

[garync1]

I do know some years back most Car dealers sent work out or did it them selves as far as add ons.. Block heaters or Sunroofs and other things like sport kits such as spoilers and Air dams were sub contracted out. I sill think today they still do it but I have notice a cut back in this area. But most options like block heaters are still Dealer add ons. If not by the owners themselves.. Now trust me with the Sunroofs. I knew a shop contracted out that did them for Ford. They were not the cheap kind. It looked like it was made from the factory that way.. So I have not talked with the guy that runs the shop in a while so I am not sure if they do them for Ford anymore..