Archived Stuck in Statesboro. Def Gauge system says tank is empty

[rikbakke]

Greetings Again Y’all,

Of course, this happens the day before We head back to Texas
Yesterday, DEF gauge on my 2013 Ram 2500 (39k miles) dropped from Full+ to Empty and then the EViC message DEF Low, Refill, 200 miles to 5 MPH popped up. No other messages, or error codes that I know of.
I filled the DEF tank two days ago to full with just about 5 gal of Supertech DEF , gauge went near E to above Full as expected. Yes, the tank is still full. The driving since the fill is solo truck around Statesboro. Usually to Lowes af my daughter thinks of more Daddy-do’s for her house... The truck usually pulls a fifth wheel so the DEF consumption is healthy, we put 18k on the truck and trailer this summer and fall during a pull to and from Alaska and the west coast

The Statesboro Dealer service writer says ‘the module’ needs to be replaced (after a check by a tech) but it’s on national back order - but it’s safe to drive the truck... I’ll find out more today on part schedule.

On driving the truck out of the service bay, the gauge went to just under 1/4 full and the EVIC message disappeared. Truck seems normal driving solo. But I haven’t heard the annoying and perhaps now friendly DEF pump clicking when standing by the driver side crew door..

Should I head back to Texas? If the system decides it’s empty again, will the truck truly go to limp mode?
any workarounds? Any info I need to help the dealership diagnose and speed this up?

Thanks for the inputs!

 

[Killer223]

i thought you could keep driving them long as you did turn them off. search driving on empty DEF tank.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Is your dad heater working.

 

[rikbakke]

I think the def heater is working. I think one of the service bulletin reflashes turned on the software switch. No error codes showing.

And the ambient temperatures here in east Georgia have been well above the freeze point of the DEF.

 

[rikbakke]

Thanks for the help. My 1/4 tank reading swung back to empty and the 200 miles to 5 mph warning. The dealership here in Statesboro found a pump/level sensor module at a Vidalia Ram dealer. It will be installed tomorrow. I’ll follow up after the repair. Thanks again

 

[Missouri Mule]

If this nonsense happen agains try spraying the connectors with contact cleaner. You can find it at Lowe's or home depot. Lubricating one and drying one. I have been using it on backup switch for years.
On a side note if these programers can make what your reading bigger why can they not make this dang key board on this the phone enlarge when you want to type on it. I spend more time going back correcting mistakes and I have small a small pointer finger. Sorry for the rant.

 

[Jim W]

Thanks for the help. My 1/4 tank reading swung back to empty and the 200 miles to 5 mph warning. The dealership here in Statesboro found a pump/level sensor module at a Vidalia Ram dealer. It will be installed tomorrow. I’ll follow up after the repair. Thanks again

If this happens again EFI LIVE will help. My son fought this for six months, also he had a recall notice from FCA that would not be honored since this was a Canadian truck bought used in the states. EFI Live took care of his issues.

 

[rikbakke]

Pump/level sensor/tank heater installed. Gauge is now stable and accurate.. as it gets. $1600 (seriously FCA??) part + $110 labor covered under emissions warranty. Drove to New Orleans with trailer without issue. Georgia Dodge/Chrysler/Ram treated me very well. I even had a spanking new Journey as a loaner car for the day.

Thanks for the inputs. Too bad this part is $$$ otherwise I’d buy a spare

 

[JR]

If this happens again EFI LIVE will help. My son fought this for six months, also he had a recall notice from FCA that would not be honored since this was a Canadian truck bought used in the states. EFI Live took care of his issues.

I may be very close to going this route on mine.