Deleting with Arduino and information...anyone?

[truckmen]

Hello all,

I've been out of touch with everything 4th Gen Ram as mine was down with a bad dual-disk clutch. I've since gotten the repairs paid for and and once again, bring my 2014 Ram back to life. A lot still has to be done. Among the tasks is the DEF delete I'd like to perform on it. I know my SCR system is fully clogged and the truck hardly runs so, instead of completely replacing the system with stock, I'd like to delete it instead. Now for my question:

Has anyone incorporated an Arduino controller with the correct code to mimic the correct exhaust sensor signals to the computer so that the truck won't go into a de-rate? I am pondering how to go about doing this.

Correct me if I am wrong but my thinking is, someone could use an Arduino controller to "read" the exhaust sensor values before startup of the engine and then make and send the changing signals from the sensors as though they were actually installed in a functioning SCR/DEF system.

If I understand correctly, when the engine is operating, there is a slight pressure differential between sensors placed in front of and behind the unit. And that differential has to fall within certain parameters. Couldn't a controller take the disconnected sensor signals and input a similar differential so as to keep the truck from going into a de-rate?

I'll add to this thread with more information as I get it.

If you've read this far, then you might be thinking "all I need is the parameters that the sensors must send" Then I would ask:
Are there bulletins or other data that can be accessed to learn what signals I would need to mimic?

 

[sag2]

First, I think you might be confused on what is plugged. An SCR CAT should not plug. The DPF will plug, but that is from excessive soot. Second, unless there are small companies back doing it, I believe most if not all of the delete programmers were put out of business. If they are still around, the EPA will find them and shut them down.

 

[Jim W]

Look at EFILive from New Zealand this may work for your needs. They have one that is Cummins specific! Google the internet for your needs and do youtube videos that may help you, but be careful with the video’s instructions. It is a steep learning curve on what to do and not do, also depending on where you live you may not be able to do anything but run stock!

 

[lpennock]

I have to believe it is doable to simulate the inline sensors. The problem would be to parametrize them so you can simulate what the computer expects to see. That is basically what MIEL sims did for the gas engines.

I've been watching my DPF pressure PID and I think you would need to have pressure increase with RPM and/or load to keep computer happy.

 

[gsbrockman]

I have to believe it is doable to simulate the inline sensors. The problem would be to parametrize them so you can simulate what the computer expects to see. That is basically what MIEL sims did for the gas engines.

I've been watching my DPF pressure PID and I think you would need to have pressure increase with RPM and/or load to keep computer happy.

With that being said.....I recall reading somewhere once before that a regen will occur every 24 or 25 hours or so.....period.

How would this be accounted for in the grand scheme of things?

 

[Ozymandias]

A DPF can be cleaned/washed, there are companies around that offer that service.
No need to buy a new one.

And then like @sag2 said, check why did it get clogged and solve that.

And first, get yourself ALFA OBD so you can properly diagnose the truck and also run a stationary de-soot cycle to clean out your exhaust system.

And second, perform all updates on the trucks software to the latest revision available. FCA did a lot of patches over the years to the emissions system performance.

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

Not quite the same, but it seems possible!! I ran across a thread on CF about a guy that was doing VE pump conversions on newer trucks a few years back...

It was interesting because he was making an emissions compliant truck instead!!!

The link below is when he posted some code to the site, but the entire thread is worth a read!!

https://www.cumminsforum.com/threads/ve-6-7-conversion.1026202/page-11

 

[truckmen]

First, I think you might be confused on what is plugged. An SCR CAT should not plug. The DPF will plug, but that is from excessive soot. Second, unless there are small companies back doing it, I believe most if not all of the delete programmers were put out of business. If they are still around, the EPA will find them and shut them down.

Hello sag2,

Thanks for replying. I meant the DPF filter and NOT the SCR.

Look at EFILive from New Zealand this may work for your needs. They have one that is Cummins specific! Google the internet for your needs and do youtube videos that may help you, but be careful with the video’s instructions. It is a steep learning curve on what to do and not do, also depending on where you live you may not be able to do anything but run stock!

Hello Jim W,
I've heard of EFILive and also heard that there are various versions, ones that just tune and ones that also allow bypass of the emissions system; the latter being banned in the US.

I have to believe it is doable to simulate the inline sensors. The problem would be to parametrize them so you can simulate what the computer expects to see. That is basically what MIEL sims did for the gas engines.

I've been watching my DPF pressure PID and I think you would need to have pressure increase with RPM and/or load to keep computer happy.

lpennock,
Yes, So, I am searching for what parameters would be sent to the computer during any engine RPM and load. This may be proprietary or not.

A DPF can be cleaned/washed, there are companies around that offer that service.
No need to buy a new one.

And then like @sag2 said, check why did it get clogged and solve that.

And first, get yourself ALFA OBD so you can properly diagnose the truck and also run a stationary de-soot cycle to clean out your exhaust system.

And second, perform all updates on the trucks software to the latest revision available. FCA did a lot of patches over the years to the emissions system performance.

Ozymandias,
Thank you for the message. I will research the ALFA OBD and see if this is in my budget.

Okay, so, since my original post, I've gotten into a much worse problem. On the way home from my 80-mile commute, My truck went into the de-rate warning with the initial 150-mile countdown. I got home and decided to pull the exhaust system off thinking erroneously that the de-rate would go away. Of course, for you who are more familiar with this situation, it didn't. I DID discover not too surprisingly, that my DPF is completely clogged. My intent was to delete it and replace the entire exhaust system with some 4-inch pipe back from the downpipe adding a muffler somewhere downstream. I thought perhaps, I could do that and add a tuner to "fool" the emissions into thinking I still have everything in place. Well, it looks like I have to get the truck out of de-rate before I attempt anything else. I have the truck at my garage with 7 miles left to drive before the 5MPH de-rate goes into effect. I'm away at work as I drive a truck 6 days a week and then I have a day home.

So, what are my options? Do I have only one? Clean the system and re-install it in the truck? Will that help me get the truck back to life?

By the way, I have an OBD-II reader that listed the codes. I'm including them below. Many of them are to be expected as All the connections to the sensors are just hanging with nothing to plug into because the exhaust system is sitting out on the garage floor.

U029E - Lost Communication with Sensor B
P2033 - Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit High Bank 1 Sensor 2
P242D - Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit High Bank 1 Sensor 3
P2454 - Diesel Particulate Filter Pressure Sensor A Circuit Low
P2482 - Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Circuit High
P2471 -

Question: When I clean and re-install the exhaust system, is there a way I can clear these codes without having to go to the dealership?

 

[Jim W]

Ok, since you live on the East Cost and I believe in your area, they do not test diesel trucks (pick-ups) for emission compliance? Correct? And since you are thinking about deleting the DEF tank and system so, that is why I suggested the EFILive and a tune. The tune will support the deleted truck eliminating the codes that are showing up. Also a good code reader such as the ALFA OBD should be able to clear and reset the ECM for you.

There is no way that I know of to clean the exhaust system on these trucks. You can clean the DEF tank and sensor but sometimes you need to replace the sensor module because it may not be able to clean it along with the tank.

My younger son has an early 6.7L Cummins Ram that used DEF, 2013.5 model year. The truck showed the same issues with the DEF system and went into limp mode. He had two solutions to repair his truck. One was to do a complete rebuild of the DEF System including a new tank, sensors and what ever else that the dealer said needed to be repaired. Or he could install a new muffler system from MBRP, EFILive tuner plus a tune, with a Edge Insight CTS2. He went the lowest cost rout with the truck running better than ever. He also likes the read outs from the Edge Insight.

On a side note between myself and my two son's we own 4 Dodge/Ram trucks. So, we do understand what we need to do to make them run.

 

[gsbrockman]

Sure there’s ways to clean the DPF......one is a stationary de-soot and another is to remove the DPF and have it baked / cleansed by a business that cleans DPF filters. Some truck stops, like this one https://www.ta-petro.com/amenities/...ts-service/diesel-particulate-filter-cleaning also clean DPF filters.

 

[Ozymandias]

What I see with all that deleting going on, we see more and more problems here in the Forum. With second ownership that doesn't know what was done to the truck, how to solve problems and so on. Including companies going out of business by EPA or themselves because of an inferior product.

That whole deleting stuff is a can of worms and it gets from bad to worse. Some time ago I was quite positive about it, but from what I see now, I wouldn't do it.

In the future this trucks will be unsellable as the word spreads over the troubles with it.

 

[truckmen]

Ok, since you live on the East Cost and I believe in your area, they do not test diesel trucks (pick-ups) for emission compliance? Correct? And since you are thinking about deleting the DEF tank and system so, that is why I suggested the EFILive and a tune. The tune will support the deleted truck eliminating the codes that are showing up. Also a good code reader such as the ALFA OBD should be able to clear and reset the ECM for you.

There is no way that I know of to clean the exhaust system on these trucks. You can clean the DEF tank and sensor but sometimes you need to replace the sensor module because it may not be able to clean it along with the tank.

My younger son has an early 6.7L Cummins Ram that used DEF, 2013.5 model year. The truck showed the same issues with the DEF system and went into limp mode. He had two solutions to repair his truck. One was to do a complete rebuild of the DEF System including a new tank, sensors and what ever else that the dealer said needed to be repaired. Or he could install a new muffler system from MBRP, EFILive tuner plus a tune, with a Edge Insight CTS2. He went the lowest cost rout with the truck running better than ever. He also likes the read outs from the Edge Insight.

On a side note between myself and my two son's we own 4 Dodge/Ram trucks. So, we do understand what we need to do to make them run.

Hi Jim W,
I live in Maine but I've retained my Florida registration and plates because someday, I'll be back there at our winter residence; (it's still wiped out from Hurricane Michael).
Either state does not deal too much in the emissions systems.

My plan is to attempt to clean the DPF and the SCR even though I intend to delete it. I have no plans on selling the truck but just in case, I am keeping all of the components. I've since read up on the system that was installed in the 2013 and newer trucks so my 2014 has in this order from the turbo, the Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and lastly, the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). After that is just the tailpipe.
I'm going to search the components you listed (new muffler system from MBRP, EFILive tuner plus a tune, with a Edge Insight CTS2.) and see if I can go that route, if that will get my truck out of the de-rate.

Sure there’s ways to clean the DPF......one is a stationary de-soot and another is to remove the DPF and have it baked / cleansed by a business that cleans DPF filters. Some truck stops, like this one https://www.ta-petro.com/amenities/...ts-service/diesel-particulate-filter-cleaning also clean DPF filters.

Hello gsbrockman,
I would give a big warning to anyone considering this approach. I would never, ever go to a TA/Petro do have any work done. After 25+ years of OTR driving and visiting almost every TA/Petro since starting my driving career in 1979, I learned that only if you are stranded and have no other recourse would you want to go to one of these truckstpos for any work whatsoever. Apologies to anyone who are affiliated with them. They just are way too expensive and many times, the mechanics are sub-par.

What I see with all that deleting going on, we see more and more problems here in the Forum. With second ownership that doesn't know what was done to the truck, how to solve problems and so on. Including companies going out of business by EPA or themselves because of an inferior product.

That whole deleting stuff is a can of worms and it gets from bad to worse. Some time ago I was quite positive about it, but from what I see now, I wouldn't do it.

In the future this trucks will be unsellable as the word spreads over the troubles with it.

Hi Ozymandias,
Your post addresses my concern for the delete but I see too many positives for doing so. Nevertheless, I'm not burning any bridges here and keeping the stock system handily stored away until I've done some more research into the cleaning process. There are, as gsbrockman stated, companies that specialize in the cleaning process including hi-heat detergent and baking depending on what the clog/s is/are. SO, in the meantime, I will get going on research for the alternative. I hope I can offer some good news for those who are falling in behind me with similar, costly emission issues.

By the way, I don't haul cars anymore with the my dually but I have a 42-foot, 18,000lb 5th wheel camper that I want to take to Florida and other places next year or so. Right now, We (my wife and I) are slowly rebuilding our home here in Maine and paying off bills, you know other life stuff.

I'll post more when I can get back to the truck. Maybe tomorrow (Tuesday).