Keith. My Ford DEF warning indicator has come on a couple of times. And like yours, mine apparently figured out how to reset itself, but the check engine light remained. So I used a portable OBD scan tool to read the code and reset the light. It worked, and hasn't happened since. But mine is a 2016, so it may not work the same on yours.

Jim

Try to avoid clearing anything on the system Keith. DO Ask to be there when the technician reads the codes as there will be historic codes stored (techs will say nothing is there to avoid doing work). the historic codes will point them to an intermittent issue.

You may find a portable hand held scanner to read codes (again while under warranty do not clear) thus providing insight as to what the dealer may be up against.

Good point Joseph. Mine is out of warranty and even out of extended warranty, so I'm on my own.

Jim

Jlawles2

Thanks Jim and Joseph. I plan to be looking over the technician shoulder and asking a lot of questions. The ford dealer is Heritage Ford - https://www.heritagemotorcoford.com/ They have a good reputation here. They got me an 8AM appointment tomorrow. Being this close to Salt lake I hop any needed parts are available somewhere.

Whats puzzling is the event cycle as error message clearly said DEF pump error limiting to 50MPH in 37 miles. Message came up twice with different miles. Missed reading the first mesage as it came on in a bumpy corner at 65 while passing a semi , so I was a bit busy. DEF tank is 7/8 full of Blue Def product - all tested good. DEF lamp was illuminated first, but I did not immediately see the check engine light. I did turn the truck off at the rest area we stopped at to make a few calls. When back on the road I noticed the DEF lamp was out, but the check engine remained. I got no further warning message on the DEF issue and the truck did not limit speed, but I loafed in at 60 on an 80 MPH free way with flashers on. Talk about a pucker factor drive.

Important thing is we are safe in a good RV park (pricey though at $65 a night) but only 3 minutes drive to dealer. They are keeping the space open for me until I know whats up on the repair time.

I'll update tomorrow

Keith

PS I was going to put FORSCAN on my laptop but did not get it done. Site was having issues due to the Russian affiliation of some sort so could not process any payments or respond to questions. My Farmington dealer was going to show me how to use it so I did not mess anything up. On my list to do when I get home. Otherwise is there another code reader I should look into getting?

You can try the Banks iDash monitor only. I have one in my 18 GM and the ability to add gauges that are not readily available on the dash cluster was a huge success, along with the ability to force a regen cycle and read codes.

https://bankspower.com/products/elec...n-bus-vehicles

I have just the Scan model not the Data model.

Here is a list of what's available for the 2019 model, I image it's most likely close if not the same. https://docs.bankspower.com/bids/fil...7L_V_79_E.html

OK here is the update. It was code p218f, but was interment. Zac also did a pin point testing. Reading from his notes Oasis had nothing. Used PPT RK. RKI - yes p218f RK7 - no problems. RK8 flows freely. RK10 no build up. RK11 performed dosing measurement several times and found that it would intermittently fail. Replaced injector, cleared codes, retested and found good.

Parts
FC4Z 5J281 B injector assembly
FC4Z 5J287 A Gasket

These parts are not easy to come by - they were going to overnight out of Denver an no local (salt lake city area) had in stock, meaning I would be sitting for 2 more days, but I got lucky. Zac remembered a previous customer with a similar issue, but in their case (Local customer) he just cleared the codes as test did not show a failure. A month later the customer had the same issue, so they had the parts on the shelf under their name. They used his parts on my truck and would have the replacements for him tomorrow. Dealer is Heritage Ford - a great bunch of folks. You can bet when I get home I will considering carry these with me on my next long trip.

While there I had the oil changed Gage showed 26% life remaining. 13 qt 10/30 oil, filter, etc 121.07 total

We leave early tomorrow early AM, drive through the Salt Lake City mess and if things go right I can make home by nightfall, otherwise maybe I will stop in Moab for the night, unless it is raining

Keith

Glad to hear the tech could get you up and running. Intermittent failures are the worst to chase down.

Glad to know there are real mechanics out there that know how to do diagnostics. Just because it cleared and did not come back, he chose to keep picking at it until it repeated, then knew the fix.

You know - its strange but I don't know how to put it. This dealership is truly the customer comes first. First off they sell Ford, Dodge, Jeep. Ram, Chrysler. Its a small dealership, but Heritage is big and has multiple locations and is expanding. With customer service like this I can understand their success. The fact that Elise Hortin their sole service adviser got me in first thing Monday when I called Saturday an hour before closing was outstanding and the dealer confirmed the appointment for Monday on Sunday (probably automated). I arrived early Monday and an employee unlocked the door and invited me in for a cup of coffee. They put their top Technician on it first thing ahead of his other scheduled units. Zac took the time to talk to me about the issue and what he did and what I need to have Zimes double check. Justin Johnson their service leader ( service Manager) arranged for me to get the other customers parts. All the staff wore a tie, dress shirts and pants and the ladies in dresses were very helpful. The place was spotless, even the shop. The staff joked and laughed and nothing derogatory was ever said about anyone or anything...well except the weather. I was pacing a lot - remembering my 6.0 oh-oo disaster and folks actually cared.

Heritage seems to take care of employees too. One of the senior sales folks used to manage a service department at another Heritage dealership and said he was burned out. They found him a new position and he could not be happier. What was funny is when I asked the lead Dodge and Ford sales folks how they handled the torque/HP wars they all laughed. I reminded them that the torque gets you moving, but in the end HP keeps you going. One of the new Ford sales staff said he had to remember that. Then we all agreed that the torque limiting computers in both lines never lets you "burn rubber". The young kid was puzzled at that but the older Dodge guy said he would demonstrate when the new Demon arrived - whenever that would be as Dodge is having the same delivery issues as Ford.

Now seriously beware we have a Bermuda triangle in the US. Its the I86, I84, I15 Triangle north of Salt Lake in Idaho and Utah. Everyone there said if it will go wrong it will be there. They get lots of strange problems and issues there and as they are the first multiple brand dealer south, get a lot of folks just like me with strange issues that need problem solving. I was lucky Zac had a similar issue in his background. I asked if he wanted to know if his fix worked an his eyes lit up with a resounding yes. He said that would be greatly helpful to him and others in the Ford community.

We are off tomorrow for home.

I have updated my blog at the other place for folks heading to Alaska. I will add to it what I did right and where I messed up - mostly time of year and weather. Also the best route to get there IMO.

Keith

Kieth, small dealerships are the best. Even if it turns into a large group, starting small and growing slowly help the owners remember where they came from and how to keep growing. Having a good tech on staff is critical especially on warranty claims. Even better is when you get a tech on staff that knows how to save customers money because he can do the job in less time than the book shows and the dealer charges the less of book time or actual time.

Sometimes a small dealership cannot keep good techs because they need to be working 100% to make money. A friends son is in such a spot. Dealer offered him more money to move and now he is down on time while making a higher hourly wage and as a result is making less. He is a great tech. I may hire him to change my rubber oil pump belt some day. LOL.

My experience in Michigan with two large dealers were generally good. In Ohio, I'm hunting for what I consider a good dealer.

Jim

Update What a wild drive down the salt lake corridor between 8 and 10AM.
The fix worked and we are home safe. It also seems my DEF usage has decreased slightly, but my power is also down here at altitude (6000'). I'll have this check out - see if they reprogrammed something. I have only two minor things on my list for the dealer after the trip. One is the passenger side mirror seems to wonder out of adjustment on rough roads and I want to get an alignment check. also want to see if they can do something about the loud under power drone. I know its not the fan.

Thanks folks for the help
Keith

Yoda
Hi Keith

Interesting comment on the passenger side mirror . . . mine has a visible shake to the large upper glass . . . but only when extended for towing. I forgot to put this on the list for may last service visit . . . I wonder if this is something I can fix myself .

Rob

Kieth, mass air flow at 6,000 ft elevation will be a bit less. With the reduced mass air flow the truck will tune down the fuel (emissions stuff to avoid black smoke), which leads to a reduction in DEF usage.

Back in the old mechanical days the pump would just dump fuel at whatever rate you demanded it. Now computers measure everything including the position of your foot on the TYCO gas pedal to figure out how much fuel to dump into the cylinder.

(Old school electric slot racer reference for those of you who missed it)

Keith,

Where are you noticing your power is down? At launch?

Todays autos and trucks are torque based where the accelerator pedal position passes on a torque request to the ECU or ECM depending on the brand. So yes, you are asking your on board computer in what you want the engine to deliver.
The ECU does the rest to deliver the requested torque. At launch, you may experience less torque before the turbo has a chance to spool up where this region is basically naturally aspirated and due to a reduction in baro would result in a brief period of torque loss. Temperature via altitude could also raise your water to air CAC temperature and result in a slight reduction of torque if the VGT is at full boost. There are many factors that could cause a small reduction of torque at altitude. Have it checked and let us know.

Jim