DEF System TROUBLE

[propaneman]

After 1 year and only 6k miles on my 2016 RAM 3500, I have had to go back to the dealer 4x in 6 weeks and still need to go back. Service engine soon light constantly comes on with DEF system fault codes and more recently the DEF fluid level gauge which was on full is now at empty, then full, then 3/4, then 1/2, then empty, then full and on and on and on - this causes the DEF low fluid light to come on and the 200 miles until 5mph Limp Mode message to start its count down. Dealer said it was a faulty pump - replaced it - made it 12 miles, the entire process started over - called dealer, made arrangements to go back - they say its a faulty pump - change it AGAIN, make it maybe 15 miles, process starts all over again. Anyone else have a similar issue? DEF fluid is good and fresh, temperature here in upstate NY is cool and has had some cold nights but also has been up to 70 as well - Im sick of going to the dealer (which requires time off of work, sitting in waiting room, rental car, blah bah...) HELP PLEASE:{

 

[Bob4x4]

Try a better dealer

 

[mwilson]

Sounds like they are just throwing parts at it....

Maybe Sag2 will offer some insight. A defective $.10 terminal in a harness can wreak havoc, that kind of thing requires a technician instead of a parts replacer...

You may have to call RAM to get a fire lit and a Star Case underway if that has not been already done...

 

[mwilson]

And as Bob says maybe find another dealer.....

 

[phantomusa]

Tell them your thinking about using the lemon law if they don't fix it correctly fast
This law vary by state but normally 4 times to repair is considered a lemon if it's not fixed

 

[spoon059]

I would get the code cleared, see if that solves it. I've had a couple of error codes a couple of times. I just cleared them and they didn't come back until I filled up with DEF a couple thousand miles later.

 

[propaneman]

Everytime I go to the dealer they clear the codes After they "fix" the issue. I called RAM and should be getting a call back tomorrow.

 

[Newsa]

Service engine soon light constantly comes on with DEF system fault codes and more recently the DEF fluid level gauge which was on full is now at empty, then full, then 3/4, then 1/2, then empty, then full and on and on and on - this causes the DEF low fluid light to come on and the 200 miles until 5mph Limp Mode message to start its count down.

Sounds like some pretty serious diesel gremlins.

I would get the code cleared, see if that solves it. I've had a couple of error codes a couple of times. I just cleared them and they didn't come back until I filled up with DEF a couple thousand miles later.

Clearing the code won't fix the base problem. I will clear a code after a simple hiccup, but not if it's acting all wacky like this!

 

[Bob4x4]

I would get the code cleared, see if that solves it. I've had a couple of error codes a couple of times. I just cleared them and they didn't come back until I filled up with DEF a couple thousand miles later.

That my friend is not a good idea or any type of repair

 

[spoon059]

That my friend is not a good idea or any type of repair

Well, it worked for my truck twice in the span of 30K miles, no limp, no power loss, no fuel economy loss and most importantly... no FINANCIAL loss...

Good luck OP.

 

[Bob4x4]

Well, it worked for my truck twice in the span of 30K miles, no limp, no power loss, no fuel economy loss and most importantly... no FINANCIAL loss...

Good luck OP.

Since it came back-it did not fix anything..............

 

[Newsa]

I find if you drive to much in town, a CEL/MIL will light up on an occasional hiccup. Drive it on the hwy a bit and the trouble code clears itself.

 

[sag2]

It would help if we knew what codes were there each time.

 

[Newsa]

It would help if we knew what codes were there each time.

NOx sensor out of range is what comes up on mine. I forget the number/code. That's the only 9ne that comes up since the SCR cat was replaced. Thought the NOx sensor might be bad, but it goes away 8f driven on the hwy.

 

[spoon059]

Since it came back-it did not fix anything..............

I received the P207f code and some other code. What happened is that I was towing and the DEF got pretty low and I filled it to the top when I stopped for fuel. There is apparently some glitch in some sensors that trips if you go from too low to too full too quickly. You can google it if you would like. Anyways, since I was pretty low and filled it up, it sent an error warning of bad DEF, see dealer, 200 miles to limp mode etc etc. Again... I was in the middle of a trip, in central Florida. I simply cleared the code and hoped. Worked great, continued about 1500 miles home with ZERO issues.

Fast forward 2 years later, it happened again on our trip to Florida last month. DEF fluid got low, couldn't find any until my fluid light came on. I filled it with 5 gallons and the light came on again. I cleared the codes and have driven about 1000 miles with no problems.

Clearly there is nothing wrong with the truck, other than some glitch in the programming that doesn't like when I add the full 5 gallons of DEF too quickly.

 

[Bob4x4]

I received the P207f code and some other code. What happened is that I was towing and the DEF got pretty low and I filled it to the top when I stopped for fuel. There is apparently some glitch in some sensors that trips if you go from too low to too full too quickly. You can google it if you would like. Anyways, since I was pretty low and filled it up, it sent an error warning of bad DEF, see dealer, 200 miles to limp mode etc etc. Again... I was in the middle of a trip, in central Florida. I simply cleared the code and hoped. Worked great, continued about 1500 miles home with ZERO issues.

Fast forward 2 years later, it happened again on our trip to Florida last month. DEF fluid got low, couldn't find any until my fluid light came on. I filled it with 5 gallons and the light came on again. I cleared the codes and have driven about 1000 miles with no problems.

Clearly there is nothing wrong with the truck, other than some glitch in the programming that doesn't like when I add the full 5 gallons of DEF too quickly.

Certain parameters are involved do determine when systems get monitored.When 2-2.5 gallons of def are added at once it looks at the def system,That is when certain def codes will pop up.It does not mean that all has been well.There are test that should be performed for your p207f. I do not need to google,I have spent a good amount of time working on these trucks,and solving more than my share of def dtc;s-not clearing and shipping it down the road

 

[sag2]

Bob is correct. The DEF monitor does not run until the truck sees the level increase. When it sees the level increase it knows (or assumes) you added DEF. So to check the performance of the system it runs the monitor to see if the DEF is doing it's job correctly. The "bad DEF" code is kind of a misnomer, it is really saying "you just added DEF, I ran the monitor to check it and it didn't pass, so the DEF might be bad". In reality it can be bad sensor or connection, bad CAT, or bad DEF, most likely in that order.
It is similar to the "loose gas cap" light on every new gas vehicle. It only runs the loose cap monitor after the gas tank level increases by a certain amount. To run it any other time would be a waste of PCM resources.

 

[m35a2]

Well, it worked for my truck twice in the span of 30K miles, no limp, no power loss, no fuel economy loss and most importantly... no FINANCIAL loss...

Good luck OP.

Ain't no such thing as magic. Something is triggering that code.

 

[spoon059]

Certain parameters are involved do determine when systems get monitored.When 2-2.5 gallons of def are added at once it looks at the def system,That is when certain def codes will pop up.It does not mean that all has been well.There are test that should be performed for your p207f. I do not need to google,I have spent a good amount of time working on these trucks,and solving more than my share of def dtc;s-not clearing and shipping it down the road

We will have to agree to disagree. Rather than pay a mechanic an hourly rate to guess and throw parts at the truck, I have cleared the code and suffered no ill effects over the course of about 15K towing miles. I'm sure you have a ton of knowledge and experience that I don't... however I have anecdotal evidence from my own personal truck and many, many others on forums that I frequent that have discovered the same thing. Clear the code, keep driving with no issues. Some of the people that have had this exact issue have significantly more miles on their trucks after clearing these codes than I do... and to date none of them have had an issues since simply clearing the code.

Just curious, in your experience what does the p207f code mean to you and what is the proper fix and cost associated?

 

[Bob4x4]

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.