‘21 Cascadia with DD15, not using DEF.

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by ljesko13, Apr 11, 2025.

  1. ljesko13

    ljesko13 Bobtail Member

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    Hi all, I have an issue that started about a week ago where my truck isn’t using any DEF. Initially I thought it’s a bad DEF pump or a clogged def injector, but when I took apart the pigtail that connects onto the injection nozzle part a lot of water came out. I cleaned it, let it dry, and voila, my DEF pressure was 142 with RPM’s around 1200 on the pump.
    I figured that was causing my issues, but now truck still isn't using any DEF. Every 200-300 miles or so it’ll throw the codes for under pressurized def pump and a derate. It’s a DD15 engine, using newest version of DDDL. Any ideas on what could be causing this?
    Every time it throws codes I just unplug the pigtail and plug it back in, run the ADS check and it clears the codes but still no DEF usage. Thanks for any input!
     
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  3. North Pole Nightmare

    North Pole Nightmare Heavy Load Member

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    Maybe try a forced regen,see if it starts using def again.
     
    ljesko13 Thanks this.
  4. JB7

    JB7 Medium Load Member

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    Check the filter. Also check the lines to make sure none are kinked. I would also check the bottom of the tank.
    Consecutive DEF pumps go bad on a DD15 New Cascadia. - MHH AUTO - Page 1
    Your pump is not bad but this thread is related. Go to posts 6-8 starting with #6 by Diesel Maggot.
    Other than that then you would have to do a flow test on the DEF injector.
     
    ljesko13, 062 and FullMetalJacket Thank this.
  5. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Check where the lines go across the driveshaft,I’ve seen a few get pinched there.
     
  6. ljesko13

    ljesko13 Bobtail Member

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    I tried that once, doesn’t show like it’s using DEF at all on both requested and actual usage.
     
  7. ljesko13

    ljesko13 Bobtail Member

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    Just read through this, i was not aware that there’s a filter in the actual dozer. Will take it off and inspect, the way I found out about the water in the connection to the doser itself is because I was going to do the quantity test. Will take it all apart and re-test, might be the cause because I ruled out almost everything else I can think of. Thank you!
     
  8. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Filter is on the bottom of the pump.
     
    JB7 Thanks this.
  9. Inderjit

    Inderjit Heavy Load Member

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    If you are not using DEF then the SCR Nox conversion would be too low then the ECM should turn on the check engine light and then shortly afterwards derate the engine.
    I suspect either your inlet or outlet Nox sensor has failed and is giving a false low Nox reading so the ECM is not dosing as a result.
     
    tarmadilo Thanks this.
  10. ljesko13

    ljesko13 Bobtail Member

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    Funny thing. I have a Detroit software, every time that happens I unplug the doser unit, plug it back in and it usually clears the code on self check. But lately I had to prime the DEF pump once or twice and that seems to get it done. So I figured it might be the pigtail, and just replaced the wiring, but still having the same issue. Thinking about replacing the doser unit at this point unless y’all got better advice? I’m lost on this one.
     
  11. ljesko13

    ljesko13 Bobtail Member

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    Oh yeah that was replaced about 100k miles ago or so. So I’m at a loss here and really don’t want to start throwing parts at it for the issue to just continue. Any other ideas?
     
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