New code P2281...Please help!

[IH8CALI]

I went through and pulled all .... and I'll report back...hopefully with a good report. Looks like the parts cannon did come through...at least for the time being.

Well, how'd she do? I just got back from towing the TT from Utah to Alabama, fought a P2281 on every single mild grade.

 

[ProLean]

Threw 2 codes is 180 miles. I had my little code reader with me so I cleared all codes, did the 10 second CEL reset dance each time, and then it was fine....until it wasn't. I could pull the steepest grade right after clearing the code just fine! That's the crazy part...this is really getting ridiculous. I contacted DRD to see if they thought an emissions legal MM3 and tune would be able to eliminate the P2281 code or at least widen the parameters within the software so that the code would be so quickly thrown. Haven't heard back. Otherwise, full throttle on ramp romps are no problem and that pisses me off. How do I tell what version of factory programming I have on the truck? The only update I know I need is the newest EPA driven update that I don't want. Installed a MOPAR filter just in case prior to the trip. Was using the WIX.

 

[ProLean]

Friend of mine who owns a diesel repair shop said it could be the newer turbo. It is a VGT but it also can make slightly more boost so I am wondering if the computer expects a certain amount of boost and then when it sees something different, it throws a code. If that were the case, I would think it would be a much more regular occurrence. He also mentioned the EGR valve. I said I cleaned it and it was moving freely but he said "yeah but who knows what its doing at the higher heat ranges" and that it could be sticking open to lose boost.

 

[ProLean]

Well, how'd she do? I just got back from towing the TT from Utah to Alabama, fought a P2281 on every single mild grade.

IH8CALI: Have you found out anything on your truck since your trip?

 

[Jules Mcgules]

I have a 2017 ram 2500 turbo diesel. At 100k turbo went out. Changed the turbo and now I am getting p2281 code. Changed a bunch of sensors, had a smoke check - leak in the intercooler. Changed the intercooler. New pipes and Changed egr valve. Still having the same code p2281. only happens under load or pulling the camper. Truck isn't worth anything if it can't pull

 

[ProLean]

It's appearing that the change in turbos might be causing the code. Is there any way to change the ecm programming to account for the new turbo? Obviously we want to keep all emissions equipment in tact so can this be done through emissions legal tuning if there is such a thing?

 

[Kldodge]

I’m very interested in what you find on this issue, I’m having the same problem with a friends truck.

 

[ProLean]

Reporting back on this issue...First off, I decided to get the 67A recall done because I heard it made the P2281 code more difficult to throw. Secondly, I decided to just check to see if there was a programmer with an EPA-legal tune that would fix the problem. While on the phone with Chris Ehmke over at Duramaxtuner.com, he said that while he'd love to sell me a tune, I should really get another boost leak test done. I appreciated his advice and candor and made another tester. I did find some leaks even though I thought I had resolved the issue with the new pipes and boots. I found a couple of band clamps a little loose and so I tightened them down. Chris also explained that some of the parameters in the stock programmers allow for a little variation in the boost it sees before throwing a code and if the situation resolves itself (like cresting a hill or a different throttle position) then it will not throw a code. I may have had too much boost leak-down for the computer to ignore and so that's when I would see a code...it was like it was a cumulative condition that finally tripped the limit. Now that I have found the leaks and hopefully resolved them, I haven't seen a code. But! I have only towed about 6K through the mountains and not my 12K toyhauler yet. I am hoping that either the new recall software update (this was a lot of updates actually because I don't think it's ever had one done before) or it was finding the leaks that has done it. HOPING is the key word here. We'll see but that's where we sit at this point. I'll update when I tow heavy. I highly recommend Chris for his help and his honesty.

 

[JLandry]

Thank you for keeping us updated.