Another DEF issue
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 473
Likes: 44
From: Berryville, AR
Another DEF issue
I've seen some posts where folks let their DEF get low and got an 800 mile range warning. I had better than a half tank of DEF when I got a 500 mile range warning. Just to be sure, I got a 2 1/2 gallon container and started pouring it in. After about 2/3 of the DEF went in, the tank was full. Cranked the truck and I still have the warning. Now I'm down to 463 miles. I have about 265 miles that I need to drive tomorrow while pulling a 16,500 Lb 5th wheel camper. Will the count down be the same as not towing? Any way that I can fool the computer, like puling battery cables for 5 minutes?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 1
From: Okeechobee FL
Good Luck Joe/GA, My truck has done this to me twice. The first time, I was in the same position as you are. I live in South Florida and I was in Concord, NC at the drag races, was leaving there to go to Alabama before heading home and that is more than 500 miles. Was pulling my 18K 5er.
Went to a local dealer in Charlotte, they worked on it all day and said they fixed it. Then two weeks later it did it to me again. My local dealer had it for 4 days doing tests and could not find anything bad. Did pinpoint test and others and it cleared itself. Has not reoccured since then, now about 4 months.
I know how you feel, I did not want to on the road with a 43' trailer when the countdown got to zero.
Went to a local dealer in Charlotte, they worked on it all day and said they fixed it. Then two weeks later it did it to me again. My local dealer had it for 4 days doing tests and could not find anything bad. Did pinpoint test and others and it cleared itself. Has not reoccured since then, now about 4 months.
I know how you feel, I did not want to on the road with a 43' trailer when the countdown got to zero.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 473
Likes: 44
From: Berryville, AR
Thanks for the reply Big Red. I remember this happening once before and it cleared itself. I went out to the truck about 30 minutes after shut down and cranked it to see if the message was still there and it is. 
I hope it gets me about 265 miles before it quits!
I hope it gets me about 265 miles before it quits!
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
And here I thought Ford fixed this issue a long time ago...
You could try cleared codes to see if it goes away and doesn't come back. When I get a glitch in these trucks a reboot of the computers works. I have the Forescan app and a bluetooth OBDII reader. (The reader was $5 shipped from Amazon) It cured an HVAC issue in my 2011 when I was in Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada. That area makes BFE look populated. I had no A/C, No Heat, and all the blower doors were stuck shut. I used forescan to run through some tests and one of them started moving the blower doors and rebooted the computer.... It all worked normal after that.
IMHO, I think what happens is that the computer glitches and doesn't see one of the higher up sensors (there is no level gauge in the DEF tank) and the countdown begins and doesn't stop. It is messed up because you could have a FULL tank of DEF and it will strand you. You would think it would only strand you if it went to pump DEF all it got was air...
You could try cleared codes to see if it goes away and doesn't come back. When I get a glitch in these trucks a reboot of the computers works. I have the Forescan app and a bluetooth OBDII reader. (The reader was $5 shipped from Amazon) It cured an HVAC issue in my 2011 when I was in Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada. That area makes BFE look populated. I had no A/C, No Heat, and all the blower doors were stuck shut. I used forescan to run through some tests and one of them started moving the blower doors and rebooted the computer.... It all worked normal after that.
IMHO, I think what happens is that the computer glitches and doesn't see one of the higher up sensors (there is no level gauge in the DEF tank) and the countdown begins and doesn't stop. It is messed up because you could have a FULL tank of DEF and it will strand you. You would think it would only strand you if it went to pump DEF all it got was air...
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 473
Likes: 44
From: Berryville, AR
And here I thought Ford fixed this issue a long time ago...
You could try cleared codes to see if it goes away and doesn't come back. When I get a glitch in these trucks a reboot of the computers works. I have the Forescan app and a bluetooth OBDII reader. (The reader was $5 shipped from Amazon) It cured an HVAC issue in my 2011 when I was in Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada. That area makes BFE look populated. I had no A/C, No Heat, and all the blower doors were stuck shut. I used forescan to run through some tests and one of them started moving the blower doors and rebooted the computer.... It all worked normal after that.
IMHO, I think what happens is that the computer glitches and doesn't see one of the higher up sensors (there is no level gauge in the DEF tank) and the countdown begins and doesn't stop. It is messed up because you could have a FULL tank of DEF and it will strand you. You would think it would only strand you if it went to pump DEF all it got was air...
You could try cleared codes to see if it goes away and doesn't come back. When I get a glitch in these trucks a reboot of the computers works. I have the Forescan app and a bluetooth OBDII reader. (The reader was $5 shipped from Amazon) It cured an HVAC issue in my 2011 when I was in Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada. That area makes BFE look populated. I had no A/C, No Heat, and all the blower doors were stuck shut. I used forescan to run through some tests and one of them started moving the blower doors and rebooted the computer.... It all worked normal after that.
IMHO, I think what happens is that the computer glitches and doesn't see one of the higher up sensors (there is no level gauge in the DEF tank) and the countdown begins and doesn't stop. It is messed up because you could have a FULL tank of DEF and it will strand you. You would think it would only strand you if it went to pump DEF all it got was air...
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
Probably not, but it is worth a try. Potentially an auto parts store will read and clear codes for you for free too...
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
I think you will be able to get to your destination but you may need to maybe pull the batteries and see if that will reset it once you arrive.
Sounds like a bad sensor since this seems to be reoccurring for you.
Sounds like a bad sensor since this seems to be reoccurring for you.
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 473
Likes: 44
From: Berryville, AR
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
I've seen some posts where folks let their DEF get low and got an 800 mile range warning. I had better than a half tank of DEF when I got a 500 mile range warning. Just to be sure, I got a 2 1/2 gallon container and started pouring it in. After about 2/3 of the DEF went in, the tank was full. Cranked the truck and I still have the warning. Now I'm down to 463 miles. I have about 265 miles that I need to drive tomorrow while pulling a 16,500 Lb 5th wheel camper. Will the count down be the same as not towing? Any way that I can fool the computer, like puling battery cables for 5 minutes?
Because the issue you're having is exactly what happens if the DEF tank is topped off on a regular basis without allowing it to run down at minimum below half tank. If this is the case, you'll need to take it to the dealer for a reset.
The owner's manual is very specific about how the DEF fluid must be run down prior to refill.
Official Ford Rep
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 6
Did you see the message again this morning? I want to bring this to the attention of your regional customer service manager (CSM) so they can help. To get the ball rolling, PM me your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, current mileage, and preferred servicing dealership. Since you're traveling, I can assign the dealership closest to your destination if you'd like; just let me know.
Crystal
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 576
Likes: 4
From: Graham, WA
Rob
