DEF Fault Code says Replace Catalytic Converter??

[3DogNight]

On my 2013 2500 Cummins 6.7 (22k miles) running fresh fuel and fresh Blue DEF, the CEL produced a fault code that the dealer said pointed to the DEF system. The very competent Cummins tech then says to replace the catalytic converter. They can't seem to find their record of the exact fault code now. The service manager says the factory says to replace the Cat Converter when this fault code (whatever it was) shows and that they have docs to that effect. The service writer actually volunteered that they have replaced a number of these in recent weeks/months and that all have been shipped back to Cummins.

I'm not arguing with the dealer. But I can find nothing about this phenomenon on here or anywhere else. I'm pretty technical and very mechanical and would just like to know for a fact what's going on. The truck continues to run perfectly OK in the meantime. Anyone seen, heard or experienced anything like this?

 

[gsbrockman]

The truck continues to run perfectly OK in the meantime. Anyone seen, heard or experienced anything like this?

I'll bet it was a P20EE code....
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/245503-2013-CEL-Code-P20EE?highlight=p20ee
Type "P20EE" in the search box....and you'll find more threads.

 

[w6pea]

I'll bet it was a P20EE code....
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/245503-2013-CEL-Code-P20EE?highlight=p20ee
Type "P20EE" in the search box....and you'll find more threads.

Thank You for posting the information.

 

[EDankievitch]

There is a thread that I started on here last year that deals with this. The TSB has a software up date. I know that Chrysler was not happy with my dealer when they changed out the SRC cat before doing the up-date. Let the shop tec do his magic. I think the emmoissions system is under warranty for ten years or 100,000 miles so you should not have to pay.

 

[Newsa]

I remember hearing about it on 2013's. I think there was something in the ECM causing exhaust to be of a certain poor quality that it fouled the catalyst in the cat converter. I've had a few CEL's, but all have gone away. They were quick to do the corrective RRT when I brought it in for an oil change.

In fact, they said the dealer should have updated the RRT before allowing it off the lot.

 

[gsbrockman]

I think the emmoissions system is under warranty for ten years or 100,000 miles so you should not have to pay.

Waaaaaay off on that, EDankievitch......


5.1 Federal Vehicle Emission Warranty -
6.7L Diesel Equipped Heavy Duty
Truck
A. Parts Covered for 5 Years or 50,000 Miles,
Whichever Occurs First
Diesel equipped heavy duty trucks are 2500 and 3500
models only.
Federal law requires Chrysler to warrant the following
emissions parts for 5 years or 50,000 miles, whichever
occurs first.
•Air system controls;
•charge air cooler and associated plumbing;
•coolant temperature sensor;
•DEF system (includes tank, sensors, valves, pump,
doser, control module and heater);
•engine speed, position sensor, and cam position sensor
•exhaust system (includes catalysts and sensors);
•electronic fuel injection system, including injector;
•exhaust manifold;
•exhaust gas recirculation valve and control system
(includes EGR cooler);
•exhaust pipes (between exhaust manifold and last
catalyst);
•fuel pump, fuel lines and fuel injectors;
•intake manifold;
•on-board diagnostic-system components
•NOx sensors, Ammonia Sensor and associated modules;
•positive crankcase-ventilation (PCV) valve or orifice;
•powertrain control module;
•transmission-control module;
•turbocharger and turbocharger speed sensor;
•turbocharger compressor inlet air temperature/
pressure sensor; and
•wiring harness circuits connected at both ends to
emissions warrantable components.

B. Parts Covered for 8 Years or 80,000 Miles,
Whichever Occurs First
If your truck has one of the following parts, this Federal
Emission Warranty covers that part for a period of 8
years or 80,000 miles, whichever occurs first, calculated
from the start date of the Basic Limited Warranty as set
forth in Section 2.1(E). The covered parts are:
•all catalysts
•powertrain control module
•transmission control module

 

[Bob4x4]

if the def injector puts out between 85 and 126 ml in a 6 minute test the scr cat should be replaced and the latest software should be used,the amonia sensor and module are removed and the new scr cat will not have the threaded bung for the sensor

 

[EDankievitch]

I stand corrected.... Thanks for the Info.

 

[3DogNight]

Hey Guys.......Thank you for all the great info. I am much better informed and satisfied about what is actually going on in this case. As I said, I'm simply technical enough to wanta' know. If there is other useful info out there, keep 'er coming. My truck's appointment is Wed., 2/17 and I'll be printing this to take with me to the dealership. My diesel tech there is very experienced, will talk freely directly with me and is always interested in more knowledge.

 

[Newsa]

Does anyone know if the last paragraph of this article is accurate?

Maybe the Ram only threatens to derate. But doesn't actually do it?

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/ex...standing-diesel-exhaust-fluid-basic-training/

 

[w6pea]

Does anyone know if the last paragraph of this article is accurate?

Maybe the Ram only threatens to derate. But doesn't actually do it?

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/ex...standing-diesel-exhaust-fluid-basic-training/

That is a very interesting read. Thanks for posting it.
I wonder why I didn't see it as I subscribe to Truck Trend.

 

[Newsa]

When i posted what i thought was an interesting article on SCR/DEF systems before, i was criticized on this forum before. But nobody could give me proof that i was dwelling too much on whether expired DEF was an issue to be concerned about (or not). Typically, other's experiences are proof enough. But since DEF was new to Ram, really only the single European on this forum was able to speak with experience on these SCR/DEF systems.

Have learned alot about these 2013 & up trucks in the past 2.5 years. And now even though some are experiencing DEF quality issues, I think these DEF/SCR issues are rare enough to not lose sleep over.

The last article i posted wasn't Ram specific. But said that up to a point, if def has lost potency, the DEF system will call on more DEF to be injected. Thus, your truck will.consume it slightly faster and you can refresh the tank with fresh def.

This article does mention Ram specifically and says that the truck won't derate if you run out of DEF. But if you don't want your DPF to over wotk itself, keep the tank with an adequate amount of DEF.

I think it is interesting, but might be told again that i'm "over-thinking" it?

The combination of these articles make me worry less about DEF. Peak has served me well. And i'm going to add another carton today

 

[gsbrockman]

Does anyone know if the last paragraph of this article is accurate?

Maybe the Ram only threatens to derate. But doesn't actually do it?

I've ran my '14 over 65 miles of the south side of zero miles to derate. It kept on going.
#ad


This diagram from RAM explains the sequence in which the messages appear.

 

[w6pea]

This article does mention Ram specifically and says that the truck won't derate if you run out of DEF. But if you don't want your DPF to over wotk itself, keep the tank with an adequate amount of DEF.

I think it is interesting, but might be told again that i'm "over-thinking" it?

The combination of these articles make me worry less about DEF. Peak has served me well. And i'm going to add another carton today

I have to agree with you. I was on another forum and one of the sanctimonious morons made some comments about me being a Troll. The moron is not a supporting member, but he must be a b+*&^ buddy with the moderator of the forum because he's still there posting vulgar comments and posts (punk if I don't say).
Some people need to get a life.

 

[Newsa]

I have to agree with you. I was on another forum and one of the sanctimonious morons made some comments about me being a Troll. The moron is not a supporting member, but he must be a b+*&^ buddy with the moderator of the forum because he's still there posting vulgar comments and posts (punk if I don't say).
Some people need to get a life.

Now, i beleive i was dwelling on it too much. That's what these articles evidence. At the time, though, i had no evidence that these DEF problems aren't that common. But if i start getting error messages, i'll be kicking myself. Lol

 

[photowrite]

I've ran my '14 over 65 miles of the south side of zero miles to derate. It kept on going.

This diagram from RAM explains the sequence in which the messages appear.
View attachment 94780

Doesn't the derate and/or no-start come after the truck is shut off? And it will keep running well as long as you keep it going?