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Old 06-07-2019, 04:27 AM   #41
BiigDaddy
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2016 Silverado High Country Dmax here. I have the same DEF fault "P21DD DEF heater." I work a lot of hours, and time off to get to the dealer is tough. Here's what I've been doing as a band-aid:

I have the Android app called "Torque" (I have the paid version) and a cheap ebay OBD2 Bluetooth adaptor. Through the app you can search and reset fault codes, among a ton of other super cool monitoring modes. I have reset the P21DD fault and it stays gone for a week or better. I haven't noticed any driveability difference, and I know I'll have to get it fixed before fall, but this is an effective stop gap.

Here's the adaptor:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BAFX-Produc...-/251488093341

The app is incredible, you can monitor almost every bit of information in your drivetrain. Throttle, boost, coolant temp, DPF temp, EGT temps, oil temp, rail pressures, and a whole bunch more... Then you choose displays, and build essentially a screen full of instant real-time data to watch while towing. It's really great tool to have!
 
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Old 06-07-2019, 09:48 AM   #42
jrsemrad
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I pull with an 06 Dodge. Older is better sometimes.
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Old 06-28-2019, 03:45 PM   #43
astrungis
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Don't get me started. Had the DEF warning saying it was no good. Refill and still got the message. It wasn't until much later that Chevy came out with a recall on same.
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Old 06-28-2019, 10:34 PM   #44
DmaxDually
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I guess I jinxed myself. I got a P205B DTC last week, DEF temp sensor out of range. My truck has 118500 miles. I just made it under the 10 year 120,000 miles extended Def system warrenty. Took it to the dealer yesterday and they replaced the DEF reservoir assy. in the tank. I was surprised they had it in stock. Hopefully I get another 7 year and 118,000 miles out of the new one..

I have the Blue Driver OBD II scan tool and it works great..

https://www.bluedriver.com/products/...iver-scan-tool
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Old 06-30-2019, 05:44 AM   #45
rames14
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Just had friends with a ‘15 Duramax visit us in Colorado. Their DEF Auxilliary heater went out (P21DD code, if I recall). Chevy dealer said it is a nationwide issue and heaters have been in short supply. Got it replaced under recall. They have extended the warranty to 120,000 miles per dealer. Next stop in South Dakota, they got a DEF warning, bad DEF. Got cleared at dealer. Next day, DEF code in South Dakota at other side of the state. Bad NOX Sensor. In the extreme cold this winter (-13 coming back from Lake Havasu fireworks). Our Ram DEF system needed a program update. Regardless of brand, there appear to be a number of DEF system issues in the field.
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Old 06-30-2019, 06:20 AM   #46
DmaxDually
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Yeah, I was surprised the dealer had the part in stock for my truck. I don't know, but to me it seems that owners in the cold weather States have more DEF issues because of the heaters. The heaters seem to be the weak link. I live in FL and this was my 1st DEF issue since new (7 years and 118,000 miles) and it wasn't the heater. It was the temp sensor. I don't think my DEF heater has ever been on. I don't know how hot the heating elements get but maybe it crystilizing or cooking the fluid which causes all the issues. I'm guessing the heater comes on even when the truck is parked and the ignition is off so the fluid doesn't freeze over night.
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Old 06-30-2019, 07:23 AM   #47
Theunz
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Since frozen def will not prevent the vehicle from starting and driving I don't think the heater comes on while parked. The heater should be able to thaw the def once you start driving, provided it's not just a very short trip. If the heater was able to come on automatically while parked there would be a lot of dead batteries.
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Old 06-30-2019, 07:53 AM   #48
DmaxDually
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Now I'm curious about the operation of the DEF system. Maybe that's why they are having so many DEF issues. I don't know the freeze point of DEF fluid but If you fill your DEF tank (5+ gals) then it freezes into a solid block of ice over night it can't be good for the components (sensors) in the tank. As we all know when liquid freezes it expands and needs some place to go. If your tank is full the ice can be breaking or damaging these sensors as it expands. I don't know how long it would take or if the tank heater can even defrost a 5 gal solid block of ice sitting outside in sub zero temps.
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Old 06-30-2019, 10:30 AM   #49
rames14
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DEF has a freezing point close to water. In my 2013 Ram, we ran into our problem with the DEF while we were driving (at -13). Temp kept dropping. There was an update to the programming that fixed it on the Ram. If you were under 100,000 it was free. Cost us a day and $230.
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Old 06-30-2019, 12:36 PM   #50
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Def starts to freeze at 12 deg F
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Old 06-30-2019, 06:02 PM   #51
lensnel
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I've heard that the Cummins engine is excellent... Unfortunately it is in a Dodge truck. If you can't Dodge 'em... Ram 'em! :-)
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Old 07-01-2019, 06:48 AM   #52
Rod Spohn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DmaxDually View Post
Yeah, I was surprised the dealer had the part in stock for my truck. I don't know, but to me it seems that owners in the cold weather States have more DEF issues because of the heaters. The heaters seem to be the weak link. I live in FL and this was my 1st DEF issue since new (7 years and 118,000 miles) and it wasn't the heater. It was the temp sensor. I don't think my DEF heater has ever been on. I don't know how hot the heating elements get but maybe it crystilizing or cooking the fluid which causes all the issues. I'm guessing the heater comes on even when the truck is parked and the ignition is off so the fluid doesn't freeze over night.
I'm not sure the cold has "much" to do with the heater failure. I have a diesel car that has pretty much only been in Arizona. Any trips out of AZ were in the summer. My heater went out in even though never been in freezing weather.
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