DEF heater CEL code? will it put me in limp mode?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 208
Likes: 89
DEF heater CEL code? will it put me in limp mode?
So my truck popped a code last month, "P221C Reductant Heater 'B' Current Too Low" interestingly enough this just happened to occur maybe 15 minutes of run time after i got a low a DEF warning on the screen saying i think i only have 100 miles of DEF left. Anyway i had DEF with me and had planned to fill it up when i got to my destination which is where the light came on. Did some searching and it appears low DEF can cause that code to trip since i guess the heater needs a certain level of DEF to work properly which was news to me. anyway i put a 2.5 gallon jug in it and reset the code and its been fine for 3 weeks or so and yesterday tripped the light again for the same code and it has just under 1/2 tank of DEF in it when it tripped.
So the question, will this put me in limp mode if it gets below 12F which DEF freezes at apparently? I have no idea when i can get it into the dealer for an Appt, or when they would have parts to actually fix it and this week is supposed to be highs in the single digits and negative at night and the truck stays outside. And of course the snowmobile season is finally going to be getting good for me locally and now my truck is acting up... since the 1st time its tripped it hasnt been below 12F so i have had zero performance issues with the truck, just worried I'm going to be hosed with it being so cold coming up...
So the question, will this put me in limp mode if it gets below 12F which DEF freezes at apparently? I have no idea when i can get it into the dealer for an Appt, or when they would have parts to actually fix it and this week is supposed to be highs in the single digits and negative at night and the truck stays outside. And of course the snowmobile season is finally going to be getting good for me locally and now my truck is acting up... since the 1st time its tripped it hasnt been below 12F so i have had zero performance issues with the truck, just worried I'm going to be hosed with it being so cold coming up...
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 4,962
Yeah, heater circuit for the dosing line that goes to the DEF injector.
Not sure if that fault will put it in limp mode or not, but I would imagine if it was it would have already.
If it freezes it will definitely throw some new codes, and then might go to limp mode.
Is your truck beyond the emissions warranty, 5/50 yet?
If not, then get it in to the dealer ASAP.
Not sure if that fault will put it in limp mode or not, but I would imagine if it was it would have already.
If it freezes it will definitely throw some new codes, and then might go to limp mode.
Is your truck beyond the emissions warranty, 5/50 yet?
If not, then get it in to the dealer ASAP.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 208
Likes: 89
Oh, so this isnt the DEF heater in the tank that is messed up? I didnt know the line had a heater also. Truck is under warranty, 2022 with 13k on it, pretty hard to believe that bit the dust with 13k on it..... the issue is getting an Appt and them getting parts so no idea how long it will be till it can actually be fixed, the local dealers dont stock anything for parts, every time i have had to go in the past they always have to order the part.
wondering if i should poke around under there and see if its a loose connection or something then since its not an inside the tank problem apparently.
wondering if i should poke around under there and see if its a loose connection or something then since its not an inside the tank problem apparently.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 4,962
Oh, so this isnt the DEF heater in the tank that is messed up? I didnt know the line had a heater also. Truck is under warranty, 2022 with 13k on it, pretty hard to believe that bit the dust with 13k on it..... the issue is getting an Appt and them getting parts so no idea how long it will be till it can actually be fixed, the local dealers dont stock anything for parts, every time i have had to go in the past they always have to order the part.
wondering if i should poke around under there and see if its a loose connection or something then since its not an inside the tank problem apparently.
wondering if i should poke around under there and see if its a loose connection or something then since its not an inside the tank problem apparently.
Are there no other larger dealers anywhere you could get the truck in?
Are you in an area, or going to an area, that will get cold enough(below 12*) to freeze the DEF?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 770
Likes: 186
From: Knightstown Indiana
The connectors for the def tank and heated line are on the bottom of the tank, under a ‘door’ or flap that snaps shut. Pretty easy to get to and check.
Edit: When my def line (tank to exhaust) was bad this was the fault I had :Code: P221C - Reductant Heater 'B' Current Too
LOW
It was an easy repair in the driveway, accessible, not too much time
Edit: When my def line (tank to exhaust) was bad this was the fault I had :Code: P221C - Reductant Heater 'B' Current Too
LOW
It was an easy repair in the driveway, accessible, not too much time
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 208
Likes: 89
The connectors for the def tank and heated line are on the bottom of the tank, under a ‘door’ or flap that snaps shut. Pretty easy to get to and check.
Edit: When my def line (tank to exhaust) was bad this was the fault I had :Code: P221C - Reductant Heater 'B' Current Too
LOW
It was an easy repair in the driveway, accessible, not too much time
Edit: When my def line (tank to exhaust) was bad this was the fault I had :Code: P221C - Reductant Heater 'B' Current Too
LOW
It was an easy repair in the driveway, accessible, not too much time
thanks!
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 208
Likes: 89
theres some other dealers, but same thing nobody stock parts around here, its always diagnose, pick it up and when parts show up make another Apppt, so its a 2 week experience typically to actually get fixed.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 770
Likes: 186
From: Knightstown Indiana
The whole line needed to be replaced. I put it off for awhile, but it looked worse than it was. Just be sure you have a panel tool for popping off the all the stays.
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 1
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So my 2021 is throwing a code for this heater as well, I haven't scanned it but the app said issue with DEF heater. It's been cold in PA, and I'm definitely smelling like a truck stop lately, so assuming it's just not working.
I'm a '21 CPO with 37K miles, so assuming that's all still under warranty if it straight up broke. I'm pretty astonished at how much complaining this truck did once it hit single digits.
I'm a '21 CPO with 37K miles, so assuming that's all still under warranty if it straight up broke. I'm pretty astonished at how much complaining this truck did once it hit single digits.
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 588
Likes: 20
From: Wilmington, OH
Did mine last week, took all of 20 minutes. You can verify that the line is the fault by ohm testing it. Should be 3.9ohms on the heating circuit if I remember correctly and mine was over 4kohm. Ordered the line from local dealer, cost $300 with tax, cleared the fault and life is good again.
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