DEF System TROUBLE

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The one thing that bothers me is this limp in mode thing. Most of these trucks are working and towing, on the highway and possibly far away from a dealer. To have to tow a rig and trailer a long distance for a bad connector or sensor doesn't seem right. It could even be dangerous if one was trying to limp into the next town at 10mph on a freeway. Couldn't they just limit the truck to 6 more starts or 12 more starts to encourage you to see a dealer rather than take away your power? I for one would not wish to loose power on steep grades with switchbacks and trailer in tow.
 
The one thing that bothers me is this limp in mode thing. Most of these trucks are working and towing, on the highway and possibly far away from a dealer. To have to tow a rig and trailer a long distance for a bad connector or sensor doesn't seem right. It could even be dangerous if one was trying to limp into the next town at 10mph on a freeway. Couldn't they just limit the truck to 6 more starts or 12 more starts to encourage you to see a dealer rather than take away your power? I for one would not wish to loose power on steep grades with switchbacks and trailer in tow.

I believe we have the EPA to thank for that. They were reluctant to accept the DEF/SCR solution in the first place, and this reduced power mode was a requirement to keep a vehicle owner from driving around with an empty DEF tank or one filled with distilled water.

Rusty
 
^^^^^^This^^^^^^^

Doesn't matter if it's a bucket loader, a pick-up, a bus full of passengers, or a 100,000 lb tractor trailer.......the derate will apply after the DEF runs out or the vehicles has an electrical spasm.....I think you get a 75 mile grace period or something like that on big trucks in case the DEF is frozen but after that it's DERATE time....

Thank you Big Brother......
 
This might be wrong but the diesel mechanic at my dealership told me to run my def tank to a 1/4 of a tank and only add 2.5 gallons. I have always filled mine that way. My truck went into a limp mode with a lost com code and a uf59 (I think that was it) nox sensor code. They said the only thing wrong was it needed flashed and up dated. After they did that I made it 5 miles or so and the count down continued. I went back and they started looking at wiring. They ended up finding the plug on the def pump was bad and replaced the nox sensor. It's been great for a few months now. It did cost me $362.00 for the plug and I did not mind paying the bill since the mechanic showed me how someone tried to fix it poorly.
 
Warranty will cover testing and repair for the first 3 years or 36000 miles.After that testing and repair will be paid for on covered componets.So for you to clear codes and drive is counter productive for your own pocketbook.Sag2 already told you the possible failures.After seeing many of your post on tdr it seems you have more trust in taking polls than trusting the experts.Your truck do what you will.


I would like to see your answer on the P207F code that was asked. I was told by a dealership that it was bad DEF code.


Heres my experience, had the same thing as spoon059. I was in the mile countdown until about the 80 mile mark, then it all went away. The CEL remained on the stored message went away along with countdown. Not knowing still got it to a dealer. They checked it, P207F code, checked the DEF ,it was okay. Cleared the code, and CEL ,and sent me on my way.

When I got home took it in to my local dealer , gave them the story. Was told if it happens again get it to them, and they can do a reflash , can't do it now that the code, and CEL was cleared. They told me it should have been done when I got it in to the out of town dealer.

Again was told by two different dealers that if you fill the DEF it triggers a systems check, and in my case it cause CEL , and DEF codes. I have had two episodes the first just flashed on the screen long enough to read , no stored message or CEL. Was several months later on the CEL ,and the P207F code. Both episodes after filling the DEF tank.

Just to humor what I heard on filling the DEF tank, this last time I ran it down pretty empty, and only added 2.5 gallon jug. After several hundred miles towing, no CEL or DEF message. Not sure what to think.

What I do think, and have to somewhat agree with spoon059, although I did take it to a dealer, in reality there was nothing wrong, other then I guess a very touchy system. It would be interesting to hear your take on it.
 
Ok first who at the dealer said it was a bad def code?Rookie tech,service advisor?The dtc is a performance code.Something in the def system is not up to par.Def quality or even quantity ,scr cat.sensors out of range,def injector and of course faulty calibration(software)
The dealer doesn't have to have an active or stored code to update software supported by a tsb.The dealer does report the flash to FCA slightly different depending on why the flash was performed.
Like I am sure I have stated before there are test that should have been performed as well as some visual inspections.The fault is a 2 trip fault and the monitor runs over a period of time and varying conditions after def has been added
 
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This makes me want a service.manual so that I know what checks should be performed or at least know what questions to ask.

Does one exist for public consumption ?
 
Just beware the manuals no longer come with the wiring schematics. I was very bummed about that and didn't know that till I already spent the $135 for the DVD/CD.
 
Ok first who at the dealer said it was a bad def code?Rookie tech,service advisor?The dtc is a performance code.Something in the def system is not up to par.Def quality or even quantity ,scr cat.sensors out of range,def injector and of course faulty calibration(software)
The dealer doesn't have to have an active or stored code to update software supported by a tsb.The dealer does report the flash to FCA slightly different depending on why the flash was performed.
Like I am sure I have stated before there are test that should have been performed as well as some visual inspections.The fault is a 2 trip fault and the monitor runs over a period of time and varying conditions after def has been added


The service tech is the one that told me what was going on, rookie tech, have no idea.The P207F was printed on the service sheet they gave me. * Okay I will take it back to the dealer, and tell them to do the flash. I only know what they tell me. Haven't had anymore issues since, but as said have not filled up the DEF tank.

Is there something I can tell the service dept to get something rolling on this issue.
 
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I stopped screwing with dealerships & deleted, now 24-28mpg & sometimes 30+MPG 2015 QC 4x4 114,000 miles, now no stress
 
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