CEL Light On, O2 Sensor Code, Dealer Diagnosis and Question??

[lawdog1]

Okay so my CEL has been on and off three times for several days at a time over the past three weeks. I have had the dealer pull codes twice both times were for O2 sensor. I had to wait for a service appointment and was told the truck was okay to drive in the interim. Today took the truck in and here is the diagnosis and "fix". My question for the group is (and hopefully any CTD mechanic out there)....Does this make sense, and do you agree with the diagnosis & fix. I have 3K left on factory warranty so I don't want to kick the problem down the road if it is not fixed only to reappear on my dime in 3.5K miles.

1. O2 Sensor code was "non-active" but was showing fuel was burning too lean or too rich.
2. All TSB's or reflashes were previously done so ECM is up to date.
3. Since the O2 sensors seemed fine the dealer performed a "decel fuel relearn process." That is all they did besides diagnosing the problem as described.
4. The "decel fuel relearn process" apparently recalibrates the amount of fuel that burns during deceleration.
5. It is theorized that now the truck should provide the proper amount of fuel in deceleration (and other operating conditions presumably) which will stop the accumulation of excess soot on the O2 sensors, which fix the fault code and I should be good to go with no more CEL light or problem.

Two additional tidbits for considerations....1. I have been somewhat under-impressed with my mileage of recent but I have new bigger tires and was attributing the mileage degradation largely to that, 2. I always run with the exhaust brake on (I don't if that would have anything to do with some ECM confusion about deceleration fueling.)

Again, my question is: Does this make sense, and do you agree with the diagnosis & fix and/or do you anticipate any other problems based on what I now know?

I am going about a 700 mile trip this weekend (not towing) so I will get some good seat/further diagnosis time if any problems remain. Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[sly-22]

It took 3 trips to the dealer with my '11 that had O2 sensor codes. By the time they finally did the overlay harness tsb, it cost me over $2000, to have the egr and dpf cleaned. And of course I was just outside the emissions warranty. I didn't even make it the 100 miles back home before the light came on after they cleaned everything and replace sensors.

 

[lawdog1]

I have 1K on it since at the dealer and have not seen the CEL again, so perhaps it is fixed...hope so!

 

[MSicotte]

If there is too much fuel injected at any time including during decel, it will contribute to soot build up as soot is basically unburned fuel. If the reflash was to reduce fuel, it could very well be the correct fix. As with any code that is non-current at the time of diagnosis, you have to trust in the tech's experience and available resources to make his or her best educated decision on repairs when the fault isn't there to replicate. Kinda like going to the doctor today and asking why your arm hurt yesterday........

 

[lawdog1]

Thank you for the comment. The CEL had been on three times (it would stay on a few days and go out and then come back a week or more later) when I finally got it in for service. I had it at the dealer the first time the CEL came on and they pulled the O2 sensor code and said it was safe to drive. The local dealer can take a week or more get an appointment for service so it took a bit for our schedules to mesh and me to get it back in.

It have not seen the CEL light since the dealer visit and as stated now have over 1K of driving in varied conditons since the visit. I hope it is fixed, only about 1.5k left on the factory warranty, but I do have a great soup to nuts extended service contract. We will see..., I appreciate your insight.

 

[EGroeneveld]

So what warranty did you guys have coverage under and not have coverage under for this issue? I've got the same issue on my 2011 with 77,500 miles. Goes back tomorrow for the O2 sensors, Module and wiring overlay. Price quoted was $705...

Frustrating.

 

[gsbrockman]

So what warranty did you guys have coverage under and not have coverage under for this issue? I've got the same issue on my 2011 with 77,500 miles. Goes back tomorrow for the O2 sensors, Module and wiring overlay. Price quoted was $705...

Frustrating.

Depends possibly on your in-service date.
I was under the impression that emissions components have a a minimum of 5 years and 80k miles of warranty.
Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can chime in...

 

[EGroeneveld]

My dealer is stating it is not part of the emissions warranty, my factory 36 month warranty expired 01/04/2014, and not under my ''Platinum'' Extended warranty, so out of pocket.... My in service date was 01/04/2011 and I'm at 77,500 miles.

 

[sly-22]

Emissions warranty on my 2011 was 5yrs 50,000 miles. And of course my problem appeared at 60,000 miles. My extended warranty covered the O2 sensor and the overlay harness, but it wouldn't cover the EGR and DPF cleaning.I bought the warranty from my dealer when I purchased the truck used. I believe it is through CNA. Bought it mainly to cover all the electrical gadgets but it is a full bumper to bumper warranty.

 

[lawdog1]

Well the CEL light came on again at 37.2K miles. Took it to the dealer, said the O2 sensor was sooty, they cleaned it, did the deceleration fuel re-learn and said it was good to go. I told them about the TSB and they said even though this was the second time I had it in for this problem, they did not have to de-soot the O2 sensor last time, so they were not authorized to replace the O2 sensor connection pins or wire harness at this time....maybe after the next time it messes up.

...I am crossing my fingers this problem is not going to be ongoing,...I am concerned and am gonna get pissy quick I have a CEL light on and O2 issue every 5K miles. I have read other posts that basically say Chrysler is running behind on this issue and does not know what the problem is/how to fix it permanently. ....I sure hope not.

 

[Bob4x4]

Well the CEL light came on again at 37.2K miles. Took it to the dealer, said the O2 sensor was sooty, they cleaned it, did the deceleration fuel re-learn and said it was good to go. I told them about the TSB and they said even though this was the second time I had it in for this problem, they did not have to de-soot the O2 sensor last time, so they were not authorized to replace the O2 sensor connection pins or wire harness at this time....maybe after the next time it messes up.

...I am crossing my fingers this problem is not going to be ongoing,...I am concerned and am gonna get pissy quick I have a CEL light on and O2 issue every 5K miles. I have read other posts that basically say Chrysler is running behind on this issue and does not know what the problem is/how to fix it permanently. ....I sure hope not.

They were blowing smoke.....that is not the policy

 

[lawdog1]

Well...38.9K miles now, CEL is on again. Called dealer to set an appointment and they ordered the harness overlay for replacement. Got to love repetitive problems that keep taking you back to the dealer...

I have read the TSB posts here about this problem but welcome any comments from any folks that have actually had the O2 issue resolved or think it is resolved (what was the "fix recipe"?) I am tired of taking the truck to the dealer for the CEL, very annoying, want to get it fixed permanently and appreciate any insights not already posted. I will update after the dealer trip.