Def problem /limp mode

[J Larry]

Still major problem. Took connection off Def pump, was really wet. Figured, hey found problem. Cleaned connection, even unplugged both negative battery terminals for 3 hours, didn't even reset radio, and nothing changed, says I have 13 miles to limp mode.

Wish I knew how to know for sure is bad $1000 pump and not electrical.

Still have errors p202a, 203, 204, 205.

I need a vehicle

 

[RammerJam]

Still major problem. Took connection off Def pump, was really wet. Figured, hey found problem. Cleaned connection, even unplugged both negative battery terminals for 3 hours, didn't even reset radio, and nothing changed, says I have 13 miles to limp mode.

Wish I knew how to know for sure is bad $1000 pump and not electrical.

Still have errors p202a, 203, 204, 205.

I need a vehicle

Don't blame Ram, the EPA forced it down their throats, KNOWING the technology wasn't nearly mature/developed enough.

And it's just gonna get worse.

There's a solution but just talking about it can get you snitched on.

Sorry. Just the way it is.

 

[J Larry]

I'm not deleting it, I'm sure that's what you are referring to.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Still major problem. Took connection off Def pump, was really wet. Figured, hey found problem. Cleaned connection, even unplugged both negative battery terminals for 3 hours, didn't even reset radio, and nothing changed, says I have 13 miles to limp mode.

Wish I knew how to know for sure is bad $1000 pump and not electrical.

Still have errors p202a, 203, 204, 205.

I need a vehicle

Exactly what truck is this on?
Those codes all point to a disconnection of some kind in the harness to the DEF tank.
Will your code reader not clear the codes?
Disconnecting the battery won't do it.

 

[TMyers]

Larry, I've been reading some on your problem since directing you here. You may have a bad harness since you found it soaked. This is a common problem from what I'm reading.

 

[J Larry]

Exactly what truck is this on?
Those codes all point to a disconnection of some kind in the harness to the DEF tank.
Will your code reader not clear the codes?
Disconnecting the battery won't do it.

 

[J Larry]

It's a 2015 ram 3500. It's been a long story. I know little about this, but was told about a week ago, with all the codes being thrown, sounded like could be the harness rather than pump.

I THOUGHT I had extended warrenty, they instructed me to take it to a dealer. I did, dealer said it was pump, then warranty company said they wouldn't pay for it, said warranty expired 2 weeks earlier. Dealer charged $175 for diagnosis, said pump replacement $2017, and needs EGR cleaning, $1600, hah. Drove the truck home and it sits!

Found a diesel mechanic who is sworn on by everyone in this area, too bad didn't find before I went to dealer.

Problem is his shop about 6 miles from me, truck has 13 miles to limp mode, and I don't have thousands for repair.

 

[JR]

First, there is no prescribed EGR cleaning for 13+ CTD. Unless there is a specific problem for them to recommend this I would find another dealership. They either dont know or they do, and are trying to take you for a ride. I dont know which is worse.

Second, your truck will go beyond the xx miles to limp mode as long as you dont shut it off or refuel.

You have a modern diesel engine, most every repair starts with a proper diagnosis which requires the use of witech factory software. Without it you are pretty much grasping at straws and throwing parts down the rabbit hole.

 

[JR]

You can buy aftermarket DEF pump for around $600 and do the R&R yourself, but again it comes back to how much do you trust the diagnosis.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...exhaust,diesel+exhaust+fluid+(def)+pump,18521

 

[Ltngdrvr]

It's a 2015 ram 3500. It's been a long story. I know little about this, but was told about a week ago, with all the codes being thrown, sounded like could be the harness rather than pump.

I THOUGHT I had extended warrenty, they instructed me to take it to a dealer. I did, dealer said it was pump, then warranty company said they wouldn't pay for it, said warranty expired 2 weeks earlier. Dealer charged $175 for diagnosis, said pump replacement $2017, and needs EGR cleaning, $1600, hah. Drove the truck home and it sits!

Found a diesel mechanic who is sworn on by everyone in this area, too bad didn't find before I went to dealer.

Problem is his shop about 6 miles from me, truck has 13 miles to limp mode, and I don't have thousands for repair.

EGR cleaning is crap, DEF trucks have no EGR cleaning requirement, just something that dealers try to sucker guys into because they make HUGE profits from doing it. Even if it did need it, 1600 is about 1300-1400 too much.

DEF pump has gone up quite a bit since I last looked, about 1100-1200, you can install it yourself, would be about 2-3 hours of shop labor at an independent shop.

But, I still think it is a harness issue, maybe rubbed through and is grounding out on the frame or something, or a bad connector. A bad DEF pump throws different codes.

As to getting it to the repair shop, if you have 13 miles to limp mode and the shop is 6 miles away, I don't see an issue, at the worst you call a tow truck.

 

[TMyers]

I 100% agree with Ltngdrvr. I think the issue is in the DEF Harness.

 

[RammerJam]

EGR cleaning is crap, DEF trucks have no EGR cleaning requirement, just something that dealers try to sucker guys into because they make HUGE profits from doing it. Even if it did need it, 1600 is about 1300-1400 too much.

DEF pump has gone up quite a bit since I last looked, about 1100-1200, you can install it yourself, would be about 2-3 hours of shop labor at an independent shop.

But, I still think it is a harness issue, maybe rubbed through and is grounding out on the frame or something, or a bad connector. A bad DEF pump throws different codes.

As to getting it to the repair shop, if you have 13 miles to limp mode and the shop is 6 miles away, I don't see an issue, at the worst you call a tow truck.

While it may not be prescribed by FCA, I wonder if it might get sooted up anyway sometimes? I have my doubts.

I saw on that 'other' board where another guy had a problem and found his harness soaked. He never did come back and say if he fixed it or not and, if so, how.

 

[Timd32]

Maybe have a read thru this thread?

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/def-system-malfunction.270148/#post-2654368

When I looked up that 202a, 203, 204, 205 it was referencing the Fuel Injector harnesses? Did you happen to have those unplugged at some point? Are they related to this issue or just something that popped up during troubleshooting.

Also I'm not seeing another post about this exact issue?

 

[Ltngdrvr]

When I looked up that 202a, 203, 204, 205 it was referencing the Fuel Injector harnesses? Did you happen to have those unplugged at some point? Are they related to this issue or just something that popped up during troubleshooting.

You looked it up wrong bud, all those codes have to do with the DEF system.
There is an "A" after each of those numbers, P202A, 203A, etc,.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

While it may not be prescribed by FCA, I wonder if it might get sooted up anyway sometimes? I have my doubts.

Mine hasn't been done since new, 6 years and 575K miles.

 

[J Larry]

EGR cleaning is crap, DEF trucks have no EGR cleaning requirement, just something that dealers try to sucker guys into because they make HUGE profits from doing it. Even if it did need it, 1600 is about 1300-1400 too much.

DEF pump has gone up quite a bit since I last looked, about 1100-1200, you can install it yourself, would be about 2-3 hours of shop labor at an independent shop.

But, I still think it is a harness issue, maybe rubbed through and is grounding out on the frame or something, or a bad connector. A bad DEF pump throws different codes.

As to getting it to the repair shop, if you have 13 miles to limp mode and the shop is 6 miles away, I don't see an issue, at the worst you call a tow truck.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Doesn’t anyone have roadside assistance???

Drive it, get it towed if needed.

 

[J Larry]

That's pretty much what this diesel mechanic said when I told him about egress cleaning. He also said he would not leave it at that shop.

Yea I looked at harnesses today and found several around $100. I would have thought if harness problem it would have blown the Def fuse, but no fuses blown.

I'll get the diagnosis report tomorrow
and tell you exactly what it says.

Then the service writer first called, she said tech said egr cleaning caused the pump to go out. After the other mechanic said that is BS, not related, is when I went to pick truck up and insisted to see service manager AND service writer together. The manager admitted they were not connected and writer said, I just passed on what tech said. Then she tried to back up later but couldn't did herself out of the hole she had dug, with my help. Oh while talking about dealer, the manager said they could finance work, looked at that, and wanted, yes I'm not mistaken, 35% interest.

As said, brought truck home.

I want to thank each one for your help, just don't give up on me.

One more quick question on harness, can I remove harness and run ohm meter to check if there is a problem?

 

[J Larry]

Maybe have a read thru this thread?

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/def-system-malfunction.270148/#post-2654368

When I looked up that 202a, 203, 204, 205 it was referencing the Fuel Injector harnesses? Did you happen to have those unplugged at some point? Are they related to this issue or just something that popped up during troubleshooting.

Also I'm not seeing another post about this exact issue?

 

[J Larry]

I read the post at your link. Sounds like a ****ty way of trying to get more money for for repairs than is necessary.