Service DEF system see dealer warning message

[OldWillysForum]

My dealer did the software update on my JTWD yesterday, I’m hoping this will be the fix from here on out. It seems to idle at a lower rpm than before, but other than that I didn’t notice any other differences on my two hour drive home from the dealership.

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[JT4000]

The recall is Y-81. My dealer said they are not sure if parts are involved or reflash only. They reflashed my truck and it did nothing to bring my DEF system on. My tank has not moved from use for a month. I called another dealer, now the 3rd. and they contacted FCA Jeep Tech and are going to force a regen on my truck and possible change the heater and injector or the whole unit. This is with FCA blessing. I never had an issue with my DEF system until the temps up here dropped below the freezing point of the DEF Fluid. Over the last two months the temps have been very cold and I don't think, other than dealer visit, my DEF system has even thawed out. I question if the heater is even working at this point. Appointment booked for next week with my latest dealer that's an hour from me. They have a really Good Jeep community reputation and that's why I called them. So far very helpful. I will keep everyone posted.

 

[JT4000]

Just another point on this, my truck never had DEF codes and still does not. Figure that one out?

 

[ilovebikes99]

Just another point on this, my truck never had DEF codes and still does not. Figure that one out?

It's been below freezing here for like 2 months. Daily temps below 25F, usually 10-18F. Night -2F. No issues. People have been playing ice hockey on the surrounding lakes. It's that cold

 

[JT4000]

I suspect some of our trucks from the early batches have bad DEF systems. There has been a lot of parts changed out. Mine is an early 2021 build. I think it has some bad parts or a completely bad DEF tank, heater injector etc. It goes in tomorrow morning so we shall see what we shall see!

 

[Gmac03]

Winter #2 with my Willys Diesel and taking another trip to the dealer for the service DEF light.

Last rear they replaced the whole system and this year they’re going to start with the PCM flash.

Hopefully that’ll do the trick but even if I had to make a yearly winter trip to the dealer this truck is still worth it.

 

[staying_tuned]

Mine stays in our carport so through winter, during single digit and below weeks, it just stays frozen and I haven't had a single issue.

I'm wondering if the minor freeze & thaw cycles that many trucks are exposed to may be part of the issue which could be exploiting some design flaw. Maybe a partial thaw followed by a freeze, over and over, packs an area tight with water and ice until something breaks during the next freeze due to expansion or simply being thoroughly plugged. Jeep may have not caught this during testing because they'd likely just leave the trucks out in the elements overnight specifically for cold climate testing. All speculation of course but it's hard for me to believe that many in the cold have zero issues while some are repeatedly plagued. Thoughts?

 

[ilovebikes99]

Mine stays in our carport so through winter, during single digit and below weeks, it just stays frozen and I haven't had a single issue.

I'm wondering if the minor freeze & thaw cycles that many trucks are exposed to may be part of the issue which could be exploiting some design flaw. Maybe a partial thaw followed by a freeze, over and over, packs an area tight with water and ice until something breaks during the next freeze due to expansion or simply being thoroughly plugged. Jeep may have not caught this during testing because they'd likely just leave the trucks out in the elements overnight specifically for cold climate testing. All speculation of course but it's hard for me to believe that many in the cold have zero issues while some are repeatedly plagued. Thoughts?

This sounds like a good explanation

 

[Gmac03]

Mine stays in our carport so through winter, during single digit and below weeks, it just stays frozen and I haven't had a single issue.

I'm wondering if the minor freeze & thaw cycles that many trucks are exposed to may be part of the issue which could be exploiting some design flaw. Maybe a partial thaw followed by a freeze, over and over, packs an area tight with water and ice until something breaks during the next freeze due to expansion or simply being thoroughly plugged. Jeep may have not caught this during testing because they'd likely just leave the trucks out in the elements overnight specifically for cold climate testing. All speculation of course but it's hard for me to believe that many in the cold have zero issues while some are repeatedly plagued. Thoughts?

Mine came after a week or so of single digit negative temps followed by three days of 30-40’s…so maybe. ?‍

 

[Clark Kent]

I just bought a new 2021 Diesel, drove it off the lot and 1 mile later the engine light came on. The dealer is changing the tank and pump. Lucky they could find one... Bought it on Tuesday night and should be picking it back up on Friday night.

 

[ilovebikes99]

I just bought a new 2021 Diesel, drove it off the lot and 1 mile later the engine light came on. The dealer is changing the tank and pump. Lucky they could find one... Bought it on Tuesday night and should be picking it back up on Friday night.

They should really prep it and take for a test drive before delivery. Mine had 10 miles, they made sure the truck was good. I had a 600 mile trip home.

 

[OldWillysForum]

Mine stays in our carport so through winter, during single digit and below weeks, it just stays frozen and I haven't had a single issue.

I'm wondering if the minor freeze & thaw cycles that many trucks are exposed to may be part of the issue which could be exploiting some design flaw. Maybe a partial thaw followed by a freeze, over and over, packs an area tight with water and ice until something breaks during the next freeze due to expansion or simply being thoroughly plugged. Jeep may have not caught this during testing because they'd likely just leave the trucks out in the elements overnight specifically for cold climate testing. All speculation of course but it's hard for me to believe that many in the cold have zero issues while some are repeatedly plagued. Thoughts?

My truck lives outside, and temps here have been in the range from -10 to 25 above for the last few months. The DEF tank stays frozen aside from being heated by the internal heater system. With the OBDII gauges, I can see the def tank temp and see that it is warming up or that the heater is working.

The first time I had the service DEF message, it appeared from the gauges that the heater was working, but was not DEF dosing, even after everything was warmed up and had been driven 30-40 miles. The dealer replaced the pump/heater assembly.

The second time I got the countdown till no start, about 800 miles later, my car-scanner app said the DEF concentration sensor was not working, and the DEF concentration was 78%, but the same day it corrected itself and started working, and said the DEF concentration was 34%.

The third time, not long after the second time, I just got the countdown till no-start (49 miles) with no indication of why. Took it to the dealer, and they did the software update per TSB 18-002-22. The dealer was unaware of this TSB, until I mentioned it.

I have been monitoring at what point it starts dosing the DEF on my morning commute (25 miles), and before the software update, it it would often not dose at all, even after driving 30-40 miles and a typical 10 minute warmup before leaving the house. Sometimes it would start dosing a few blocks from home before the engine or oil were up to temp. After the software update, it seems more regular, but I still don't understand the parameters that call for the start of DEF dosing.

Since the update, so far so good, but I lost faith in reliability quite a while ago so I'm not counting on it to last...

Pete

 

[AkBooman]

I've had the same problem with mine. I got the check engine light with the message service DEF system- see dealer. This was before Christmas. I called the dealer I purchased it from and was told they wouldn't be able to get me in until February. I called the other dealer in town and he got me in a few days later. They told me it needed a couple of updates and it cleared the light. They also said that if it happens again that they would replace the injector and heater. About a month later (after it got below zero) the same error message came up. I did not cancel the appointment with the dealer I purchased it from and told them what the other dealer had done and said. They gave me my truck back with the light cleared and told me that it was more updates that were needed and no parts needed to be replaced. I'm almost counting on the light coming back. Frustrating!! My question is does this happen to the vehicles in the south? Most the people I see responding are from cooler winter climate places.

 

[Glad_he_ate]

It seems to be more cold related although southern trucks still run into problems. More so with plugged injectors or concentration issues

 

[Dakota Kid]

last week codes p20c6 & p208b with the truck will shut down in 200 miles & will not restart service def , they tested per star told jeep knows but no update currently run it
Last friday p20c2 cleared code after calling dealer making appt. For tues , Monday on way to work new CEL code p208b & engine will not restart in 165 miles service def , which on way to dealer message went off , CEL didn't
dropped off Dealer called said there was an update now TSB 18-002-22 haven't been able to find sent a message to jeep cares for a copy
Reprogram pcm from 68520201ad to ae will see what happens Tomorrow on the way to work
My dealer has been very good in regards to a vehicle to use & Communication.
Have 10820 miles on jeep.

I was previously scheduled to have my local dealer take care of this TSB today 3/8/22, and when arriving this morning was told it officially became a recall today!!

They did the update and looked at my non-charging start/stop battery (completely different thread) as well.

Call your dealerships?

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