U029D Code and Def Gauge Problem

[Mike Wenrich]

I previously posted the Def problem I had and it was mentioned in the latest post on issue with this system but with different codes thrown. I did not want to tag onto that one because of the different code but the issue seems similar. Yesterday, I drove out of the mountains down to a large town. As I stopped for my appt. got the check engine light again for the Def gauge and contact the dealer. I'm carrying the code reader now and reset the code before going inside. Later and after numerous stops I got on the road to come back and the light comes on again and the contact dealer message. I had grocery shopped and needed to get home so took a chance and drove the 45 miles. For the first 15 miles the message and ding kept appearing every minute or so. Annoying but I kept waiting for the message that I was going to be down to 5MPH soon, which never happened. What did happen was the dinging stopped and I made it home the final 30 miles without another warning.

What I also noticed was that the gauge was 100% until the message came on the first time and then the gauge was showing just above 1/2. Same thing again when the code was thrown later. This morning I went out to cancel the code again and the gauge now shows 100% again. Code cancelled with no problem.
Reading the most recent issue posted by the fellow off shore at the moment seems to be similar but a different code(s).

So now I need to go see if I can locate the def tank and determine if there is a drain and a way to remove it to clean any crystals that might have developed to make the gauge erratic. Seems somehow it's not reading that I have a full tank of def at different times.

Last note: This truck has been a PIA since I bought it. 2014 3500 w/Aison should have the last truck I needed to buy. I'm 78 in a couple days and no longer do well crawling under vehicles (Vertigo). Live in the mountains as stated and need reliability. 10 recalls, severe dead pedal problem, just replaced the upstream NOX sensor, steering issues, and only 41K miles. Now I may have to look at another expensive repair. So I cannot rely on this truck to get me there or home. I've made up my mind that it has to go and I cannot in good conscience sell it privately. That means I will take a beating trading it in. I will be going to a gasser to get away from these issues. My 14 is set up for a camper and I will have to do tie downs, etc. all over again. I'm just disgusted RAM has fallen into the abyss. The gasser might be a RAM as well because I may not be able to get a deal anywhere else. Need to do some research on those forums now.

If anyone has an idea how too address this current problem other than paying through the nose to a dealer, please advise. Maybe with the age of the truck I can go to a regular local garage but parts will still be outrageous. Sure glad I kept my 2004.5 Cummins.

 

[Mike Wenrich]

Crawled under the truck yesterday and saw the def tank for the first time. Was not where I thought it might be. Almost under the driver's seat. Saw a removable plate (inspection or drain maybe) under the tank but on a large metal frame that looks like it protects the tank and lines going over to the exhaust. Also saw wiring near the top where the def comes in from the filler spout. Is that plate an access to drain the tank?

 

[sag2]

There is no drain on the tank. To properly clean it you have to remove it. Once removed you can pull the pump/level assembly.

 

[Mike Wenrich]

Thank you Sag2. Sounds like a messy job. I watched a video from Motor City Mechanic where he detailed how the gauge works on the 5 and 10 gallon tanks. The issue was the gauge reading full for a great many miles. He explained the tanks have dead air space at the top before reaching the sensor unit. He says the techs siphon the def into a holding tank to determine if the gauge is working and then replace it if the gauge responds. The 5 gallon tank has 1/2 gallon of dead air space and the C&C has 2 gallons. At this point, not knowing what might be wrong with my truck and seemingly different than others posted, I will have to go to the dealer and get a diagnosis. I fear though this is going to be expensive based on what has been posted. Maybe it's just a cleaning issue? That would be less expensive.

 

[sag2]

Depending on how full your tank is, you can pull the fill hose and carefully insert a trim stick or similar tool to open the one way valve on the tank inlet to drain about half the tank before dropping it. Then remove the tank, pump assembly and wash it with warm water. It's free and not that bad a job. Nothing to lose except some time.
As long as the container is clean you can reuse the drained DEF.

 

[HPSimpson]

I would be real caution to reusing drain DEF just depose proper and put new DEF in much safer.

 

[Mike Wenrich]

From what I saw looking under the truck it seems you have to remove what looks like a cross member to access the tank. Removing those hoses might work to drain the tank as you say and I know my tank is full. So I have 5 gallons s to deal with meaning at 2 1/2 gallons to drain first. I have another trip to a major town tomorrow morning and I'm going to try to make the trip with this truck. If I get the codes again, and can make it home, I will see if I believe I can do the cleaning job. If not, I might be able to get a mechanic in town who has a rack do that. I have a camper on the truck right now and one of the tie downs bolted to the frame is near the work to be done. Might have to take that off or take the camper off to work from the ground. Could cut down on the blood loss trying reach around stuff. If the tank is somewhat easy to remove that would be in my ability as long as I don't have to spend too much time on my back. Geeeez, this used to be so easy for me. Age is not kind.

 

[HPSimpson]

I know on '19 Ram DEF tank is right in front of fuel tank as recently installed Titan fuel tank would be a bear to removed, good luck

 

[Mike Wenrich]

I can relate to that. There is space between my tank and the def tank to access the hoses, etc, but the tie down is nearby. Hangs down under the truck more than I like but I don't off road much anymore. I should have used the tie down that attaches to the front of the bed and sticks out the side. Did not go with that one because I thought I might be running into that when no camper on board. Bad decision in hindsight.

 

[Mike Wenrich]

Another update. Drove to the "Big City" yesterday and all was well until I was driving back up the mountain when the code triggered again. The reason for this post is that I was watching the gauge the entire trip to see if and when I got the code would the gauge show a different level. It did not. Indicated full the entire time. Before, the gauge would show about 2/3 full at the time of the fault. So my thought that maybe a sending unit problem might trigger this is in the trash now. I suppose it still could be a cleaning issue and I'm looking into that.