Block heater is plugged in overnight. When the van
Your block heater is plugged into household current, and is not connected to the vehicle electrical system, so you can eliminate that as a potential source of the problem. You didn't say whether the check engine light comes on when the door is closed and you try to start the engine, but my guess would be a bad battery and/or charging system. Take the vehicle to Auto Zone, Advance Auto, Pep Boys, O'Reily's, or other retailer and have them test the battery. If you have a few bad cells, you will not have full starting current, which will cause the lights to dim. If the battery checks out, have them (or an alternator shop) check the output voltage on the alternator. It should be putting out somewhere between12 and 18 volts depending on the condition of the battery. Considering that you live far enough north to where you need to use a block heater, my money is on a bad battery.
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