Block Heater Cord Part Numbers
Updated
Find replacement cord numbers for your installed block heater. The heater-side connection is application-specific: confirm the manufacturer's specified cord before ordering.
Across our catalog and reviewed vehicle records, 25 cordsets appear against 335 of 373 models. Four Zerostart numbers appear against 162 of them. These are catalog associations, not individually confirmed installations. Find yours below, then confirm it against your engine on the fitment page before you buy.
Find Amazon options for your cord number
Already know the replacement cord number? Look it up here. This matches a part number, not your vehicle or connector.
Buying a replacement block heater cord
You need the engine-end replacement lead, not just an outdoor extension cord. Match the installed heater's manufacturer and cord number before choosing a listing.
Open a cord number in the tables below for Canada/U.S. buying options and research notes. A checked listing confirms the listed part, not that its connector fits your heater.
What to confirm before ordering
- The exact heater or replacement-cord number, not just your vehicle badge.
- The connector shape, retaining clip and lead length; ask the installer to confirm if the old cord is missing.
- Whether your existing cord has a thermostat or other special feature. Do not assume a plain lead is equivalent.
Manufacturer reference: Phillips & Temro application guides and cordsets ↗. For damaged wiring, use the cord inspection and replacement guide.
Zerostart / Phillips & Temro cordsets
Zerostart numbers its detachable cordsets in the 36- series (15 of them across 198 models). The heater kit itself is a 31- or 35- number — if the counter asks which one you want, the cord is the 36-.
Lighted cordsets
A lighted cordset has a translucent plug that glows when the outlet is live. At -30 in the dark it confirms the breaker, timer and outlet in one glance. Zerostart catalogues these as alternates to the standard cordsets on the same vehicles — confirm the listed replacement for your exact heater. A light indicates power at the plug, not that the element is heating.
Kat's cordsets
Kat's runs a parallel catalogue: 11xxx is an element, 24xxx a pad, and 28xxx is the cordset (10 of them across 300 models). Many vehicles appear in both catalogues. Either cordset is correct as long as it matches that maker's element — you cannot put a Kat's cord on a Zerostart heater and assume the connector seats.
How to identify the one you need
Identify the installed heater first. Open the fitment page for your model and find your engine to narrow the catalog candidates. Confirm the heater label and manufacturer-specified cord: a previous owner may have installed a different heater.
If the old cord is still there, photograph the engine end. Disconnect mains power and let the engine cool before inspecting accessible connections. Photograph the label, connector face and retaining feature. Photos help identify a candidate, but matching pin count or shape does not establish compatibility.
Check whether it is the cord at all. A dead element and a dead cord can have similar symptoms. See how to test a block heater for diagnostic checks. Thermostats can affect readings, and continuity alone does not prove that insulation or the complete heater system is safe.
What this table does not tell you
These numbers come from the Zerostart 2024 application guide and the Kat's 2020 catalogue, matched to the NRCan vehicle list, with individually reviewed additions from the vehicle pages. These are reference associations; part numbers get superseded and catalogues lag new models. Confirm against a current catalogue or the parts counter before ordering.
38 of the 373 models we catalogue have no cordset listed by either supplier in our reference. This is a coverage gap, not proof of an OEM-only or sealed assembly. Check the installed heater label and current manufacturer documentation before choosing a replacement.
Two different cords, two different problems
This page is about the cordset — the vehicle-side cord that plugs into the heater element. The extension cord that runs from the house to the grille is a separate purchase with separate rules (14 AWG minimum, outdoor-rated jacket). If yours is damaged and you want the step-by-step swap rather than the part number, read the cord replacement guide.
FAQ
Are block heater cords universal?
No. Match the cord to the installed heater and its manufacturer-specified replacement number. Connector shape alone does not establish compatibility. Catalog associations do not confirm current stock or fitment for an individual installation.
How do I find my block heater cord part number?
Identify the installed heater and its manufacturer-specified replacement cord number first. The vehicle and engine guide can narrow catalog candidates, but a previous owner may have fitted a different heater. With mains power disconnected and the engine cool, photograph accessible labels and connectors; ask an installer for help if they are inaccessible.
What is the difference between a Zerostart 36- number and a Kat's 28- number?
They are two manufacturers' catalogues for the same job. Zerostart (Phillips & Temro) numbers its detachable cordsets in the 36- series; Kat's uses 28xxx. A vehicle often appears in both, and either cordset is correct provided it matches that maker's element — you cannot mix a Kat's cord onto a Zerostart element and assume it seats.
What is a lighted block heater cord?
A cordset with an illuminated plug that indicates power at the plug. It does not prove that the heater element is working. Confirm the lighted cord is specified for your installed heater before substituting it.
Can I replace just the plug end instead of the whole cord?
A plug-end repair may be possible if the rest of the cord is undamaged and the manufacturer permits it. Heat damage, cracked insulation, corrosion or a plug containing a thermostat require checking the complete assembly before choosing a repair. See the plug replacement guide.
Why is my vehicle not listed here?
A missing record means our reference has a coverage gap. It does not prove that no cord exists or that the heater is OEM-only. Check the installed heater label and current manufacturer documentation or ask the parts counter.
Find your cordset by vehicle
Each fitment page lists the heater kit and its matching cordset per engine, which is the pairing that makes the connector correct.
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