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How do I correct DEF warnings?

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Old Sep 27, 2022 | 06:01 PM
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How do I correct DEF warnings?

While traveling over the weekend, I got the 500 miles remaining for the DEF level, which seemed odd since it doesn’t seem that long since my last 5 gal fill up. By the time I got home it was down to 150 miles, so I bought two 2.5 gal jugs and started refilling. It took about 2 gal before it started to over flow. So my system seems to be confused. Anything I can do to correct this?
 
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Old Sep 27, 2022 | 10:35 PM
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Mine took a few restarts before it cleared the warning. Like 20+ restarts.
 
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Old Sep 28, 2022 | 04:01 AM
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This has been a subject here many times. Some say to wait until the 500 mile warning to avoid having problems with this and some like myself, have not had any problems with keeping the tank full. Like HRTKD said, it should resolve itself at one point.

As to your DEF over flowing when you are filling up, buy yourself one of the Motorcraft DEF nozzles to prevent that.

https://smile.amazon.com/Motorcraft-...ps%2C96&sr=8-2


 
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Old Sep 28, 2022 | 05:37 AM
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I wait until <200 to empty before refill.
I would suggest wating a bit and see if it resets.
It is confused for some reason.

It may require a dealer reset in the end but give it a couple of drive cycles to see. Maybe run an errand daily for a few days. Just enough to get the truck up to operating temps.
 
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Old Sep 28, 2022 | 06:10 AM
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As others suggested, I'd just drive/shutdown normally to see if the system will eventually clear, until it gets to a MTE number you are no longer comfortable with.

You aren't to this procedure yet because I think this is for after entering speed limited mode.


 
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Old Sep 28, 2022 | 08:24 AM
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Thanks, I got down to less than 150 mi remaining and it only took 2 gal. That’s the concern, not the overflow. It should of taken 5 gal if I was less than 200 remaining, right?. 🤔
 
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Old Sep 28, 2022 | 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by frysl
Thanks, I got down to less than 150 mi remaining and it only took 2 gal. That’s the concern, not the overflow. It should of taken 5 gal if I was less than 200 remaining, right?. 🤔
If the DEF was pouring out of the fill up hole, it is full. Like said, the system is confused and should reset. If not, it seems like it will have to manually reset.

Yep, the 11 to 16s had the 5 gallon tanks.
 

Last edited by Overkill2; Sep 28, 2022 at 09:42 AM. Reason: Add to post
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Old Sep 28, 2022 | 09:49 AM
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The approach to maintaining the DEF level on 2011-2016 trucks is different from 2017+ trucks. Adding a 2.5 gallon jug to a 2017+ truck when the gauge goes just below half seems to work and not cause any warnings. The level may not reset immediately, but it doesn't take too long. My experience with letting the level get too low and getting stuck with the 500..50 mile warnings was enough to ensure that I'll be adding that 2.5 gallon jug to the DEF tank when the gauge shows half. With this approach, I've never had DEF come out the filler neck.
 
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Old Sep 28, 2022 | 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by kper05
As others suggested, I'd just drive/shutdown normally to see if the system will eventually clear, until it gets to a MTE number you are no longer comfortable with.

You aren't to this procedure yet because I think this is for after entering speed limited mode.


or use the forscan SCR service proceedure.

 
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