Causes for re-occurring DPF fault codes and how the fix them

European Exhaust & Catalyst shares expert advice for technicians dealing with DPF fault code problems

Causes for re-occurring DPF fault codes and how the fix them
Image: Bigstock.

Technical Trainer and Co-ordinator at European Exhaust & Catalyst (EEC), Stuart Still has helped an EEC customer resolve a DPF problem where fault codes were causing regeneration issues.

The customer initially made contact following the purchase of a Ford DPF with EEC part number FR6119T, which was fitted as a replacement for the original DPF that had become blocked.

The car had covered 235,417km and it was found that the old DPF was blocked due to a faulty pressure sensor.

The pressure sensor was exchanged, and pipes were checked and clear.

The two fault codes for soot and ash were deleted, but after a short period of time they returned resulting in the engine going into limp mode.

Stuart said: “It is very important that the initial cause be repaired.

“The vehicle may have a combustion/ compression issue, which could be an EGR system problem, injector over fuelling, glow plugs, air intake issues, or even a turbocharger problem.

“Regeneration will not take place if there are any faults associated with the DPF pressure sensor, exhaust temperature sensor.”

DPF related fault codes

  • P1471 Diesel particulate filter (bank 1) regeneration not completed.
  • P2002 Diesel particulate filter (bank 1) efficiency below threshold.
  • P2003 Diesel particulate filter (bank 1) particulate mass too high.
  • P242F Diesel particulate filter (bank 1) regeneration not active.
  • P244A Particulate filter differential pressure too low.
  • P224B Particulate filter differential pressure too high.
  • P2452 Particulate filter differential pressure sensor malfunction.
  • P2453 Diesel particulate filter differential pressure – sensor malfunction.
  • P2454 Diesel particulate filter differential pressure – sensor voltage too low.
  • P2455 Diesel particulate filter differential pressure – sensor malfunction.
  • P2458 Particulate filter regeneration maximum regeneration time exceeded.
  • P2459 Particulate filter regeneration, regeneration frequency implausible.
  • P246C Excessively high pressures on the inlet side indicate a restriction on the DPF.
  • P2463 is a generic codethat is defined as “diesel particulate filter restriction”.

When fitting a new DPF it is recommended that a forced regeneration is carried out directly after resetting the ECU.

EEC says that failure to complete a successful forced regeneration usually highlights another issue.

Stuart suggests that technicians should check that the EGR valve, turbo and fuel vaporizer are all working correctly and are free of carbon.

In the particular case cited by Stuart, the issue was a faulty fuel vaporizer, which is a fuel injector on the exhaust system up stream of the DPF with fault codes P246C and P2463.

Stuart said: “The fuel vaporizer is in the direct flow of the exhaust gasses and is prone to carbon deposits, which in turn will stop regeneration taking place, resulting in a blocked DPF.”

A new vaporizer was fitted and the problem was resolved.

EEC recommends its 6 in 1 DPF solution to ensure exhaust components remain free of carbon.

For further information about EEC, select ‘more details’ below.

Have your say!

3 3

Lost Password

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.