Def & restarts

[Eligracem]

Has anyone had an issue with filling the def tank, but the warning light on the dash stays on and says you only have so many restarts? In our case 10 - We have driven the van for 25 minutes, tried to turn the ignition switch for 30 seconds and cannot get it to re set. We have a 2016 Interstate

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Eligracem

Has anyone had an issue with filling the def tank, but the warning light on the dash stays on and says you only have so many restarts? In our case 10 - We have driven the van for 25 minutes, tried to turn the ignition switch for 30 seconds and cannot get it to re set. We have a 2016 Interstate

If you have filled the DEF tank then it should reset the warning message, but it might take 3-4 restarts to clear the message. Just turning the "ignition" switch is not enough.

[DavidEM]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

If you have filled the DEF tank then it should reset the warning message, but it might take 3-4 restarts to clear the message. Just turning the "ignition" switch is not enough.

Yes, unless the DEF level sensor has failed in which case it is a multi thousand $ visit to a Sprinter service station.

David

[Mr. Merk]

If you got it low enough to cause the countdown you'll have to bring it in to the dealership to have it reset. When it gets to zero starts remaining, IT WILL NOT START. For some reason people are in shock when it doesn't, even though the vehicle gave them plenty of warning. Don't let it get that low again.

[Eligracem]

So Mercedes has some procedure where if you turn the ignition to position 1 for 30 seconds it is supposed to reset the def system readings somehow but it did not work. We just took it to our Mercedes dealer and they are saying the NOX sensors have to be replaced and will cost anywhere from $1500 to $6000, depending on if they can get the sensors out with the threads intact. We are stuck, because we only have a few starts left. The van only has 30000 miles on it. This is absolutely ludicrous.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Eligracem

So Mercedes has some procedure where if you turn the ignition to position 1 for 30 seconds it is supposed to reset the def system readings somehow but it did not work. We just took it to our Mercedes dealer and they are saying the NOX sensors have to be replaced and will cost anywhere from $1500 to $6000, depending on if they can get the sensors out with the threads intact. We are stuck, because we only have a few starts left. The van only has 30000 miles on it. This is absolutely ludicrous.

The Federal Emissions System warranty is 5 years/100,000 miles. It covers NOx sensors. Start pushing back for warranty coverage! Your 2016 Interstate is likely on a 2015 Sprinter and should still have warranty coverage.

Your home state is Indiana so you are not covered by the 7year/70,000 long term emissions warranty. Only California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington are covered by the extended warranty.

Also don't know who told you of this position 1 for 30 seconds procedure. Never heard of it and from my understanding of the Sprinter and other vehicles it is meaningless. The engine must be stated to clear any temp codes.

[Titus]

Anecdotally it seems as if NOx sensor problems are more likely when DEF is/has been low. Not clear to me why that is the case, but is another reason to keep the DEF tank topped off. I do not recall at what level the restart counter begins, but I try to refill my 5.9 gallon DEF tank when I am down about 2 1/2 gallons. I use a gallon of DEF about every 2200 miles.

[Pahaska]

The nice thing about my 2018 AI (2017 Sprinter) is that the DEF quantity reading is available on the dash display. I check it after each trip. When it gets down to 1/2 full, I stop by Wally World for a container of DEF. I found the price there to be the best. Auto supply stores want half-again as much for the same brand of DEF. The DEF amount brings my level up to almost full, without having to watch carefully to prevent overflow.

I have also found a good price at my local grocery store (HEB).

[Titus]

Yeah, I never understood why they don't have DEF level available on earlier models. They obviously have a level sensor to trigger the restart warning, so why not let us see it.

[c21]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

The nice thing about my 2018 AI (2017 Sprinter) is that the DEF quantity reading is available on the dash display. I check it after each trip. When it gets down to 1/2 full, I stop by Wally World for a container of DEF. I found the price there to be the best. Auto supply stores want half-again as much for the same brand of DEF. The DEF amount brings my level up to almost full, without having to watch carefully to prevent overflow.

I have also found a good price at my local grocery store (HEB).

I do something similar except at 3/4 full I add a gallon which nearly tops it off. I pick up the gallon bottles at Walmart for 4 bucks and change.

[MJAI]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

The nice thing about my 2018 AI (2017 Sprinter) is that the DEF quantity reading is available on the dash display. I check it after each trip. When it gets down to 1/2 full, I stop by Wally World for a container of DEF. I found the price there to be the best. Auto supply stores want half-again as much for the same brand of DEF. The DEF amount brings my level up to almost full, without having to watch carefully to prevent overflow.

I have also found a good price at my local grocery store (HEB).

If I have 1/2 DEF left on my instrument display, is it safe to fill 2.5 Gallon? I got the DEF from Love Travel Stop at $18 pricey, I think, I have 19 AI 2019 3500 Sprinter.

Thanks,

[ElliotA]

I also, suffered the low DEF warning with the message "Only 10 Starts Remaining" on my 2018 GT with a 2017 chassis.. I refilled the DEF tank fully, but it would not reset. I even bought a fancy Mercedes ODB Scanner and tried to reset it to no avail.


Took it to a top repair shop here in Fort Collins. They found that I had a bad DEF heater and dousing unit whatever that is.


The bottom line is they have to replace the DEF tank and it is going to cost me over $5400.

[Rocinante]

If you’ve had the dieselgate recall work done and get this repair at a MB dealership, I would expect at least some of this to fall within the extended emissions warranty.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

If you’ve had the dieselgate recall work done and get this repair at a MB dealership, I would expect at least some of this to fall within the extended emissions warranty.

The AEM (approved Emission Modification) did not include the 2017 diesel Sprinters. Here is quote from the origianl DOJ settlement press release:

"Daimler will recall and repair the emissions systems in Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles sold in the United States between 2009 and 2016"

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

The AEM (approved Emission Modification) did not include the 2017 diesel Sprinters. Here is quote from the origianl DOJ settlement press release:



"Daimler will recall and repair the emissions systems in Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles sold in the United States between 2009 and 2016"

Whoops, sorry about that.

[ElliotA]

My wife reminded me of something that happened years ago when I took the Porsche I had bought used into the dealer for what I thought was a minor repair.


When I received the bill it was shockingly high and when I complained the service manager told me "If you couldn't afford a Porsche, why did you buy one?"


I guess the same thing is true when you buy a Mercedes.

[Andy543]

Originally Posted by ElliotA

I also, suffered the low DEF warning with the message "Only 10 Starts Remaining" on my 2018 GT with a 2017 chassis.. I refilled the DEF tank fully, but it would not reset. I even bought a fancy Mercedes ODB Scanner and tried to reset it to no avail.


Took it to a top repair shop here in Fort Collins. They found that I had a bad DEF heater and dousing unit whatever that is.


The bottom line is they have to replace the DEF tank and it is going to cost me over $5400.

One question that comes to mind, why replace the whole tank when it's only the heater that's bad? It might be worth it to get a second opinion. The problem is that many repair shops have service managers who work on commission. They will routinely sell you more work than you actually need.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Andy543

One question that comes to mind, why replace the whole tank when it's only the heater that's bad? It might be worth it to get a second opinion. The problem is that many repair shops have service managers who work on commission. They will routinely sell you more work than you actually need.

Good point. I had the DEF heater on my van fail in 2018. The shop only replaced the heater for $1900 parts and labor.

I my case I only had a CEL for the heater element. Never had a DEF countdown as ElloitA reported. Perhaps there is more wrong than just the heater?

[ElliotA]

Unfortunately, you cannot get the heater separately from Mercedes anymore.

[StogieMan]

This is why I ended up getting a specific DEF recount device. I also purchased an MB V3.0 Smart Diagnostic tool to be able to look up any fault codes while on the road. On one of our trips this year down to SC, it was cut short due to the the darn DEF 10 start countdown. It ended up being the leaking DEF discharge line at the bottom of the tank that created a DEF cake ball and wouldn’t allow any DEF to discharge. On ITSN060’s recommendation I got this device from Ebay to allow me to reset the countdown clock. The seller also has a complete DEF removal one as well and I came close to pulling the trigger on it to eliminate using DEF altogether. It’s still not off the table but the only reason I hesitated was that we’re going to be selling the van in the near future and I didn’t want to go through the process of getting everything back and running for any potential new owners.

Tune OBD DEF Countdown Reset Device:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/25276246368...e5c19694e215a0


MB V3.0 Smart Diagnostic Tool:
https://www.amazon.com/iCarsoft-Merc...2-63e904010ad0