[Milehghcty]

Page 107 of owners manual shows that when the idiot light/symbol is on, it indicates the DEF is contaminated. Below is what the owners manual says (can't copy and paste the symbol/indicator light).

I have the DEF gauge in the gauge view (vs the turbo or tran temp) and it has constantly shown the symbol since I've owned the vehicle (owned for 1600 miles). Never thought anything about it until I was reading the owners manual. The DEF has been going down from full and now is on 3/4 so appears to working. I also went through a regen about 40 miles ago, so that also appears to be working.

Am I reading this wrong? Or is this symbol always shown below the gauge?

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/Catalog/owner_information/2018-Ford-F-150-Owners-Manual-version-2_om-EN-US_10_2017_V3.pdf

Page 107: Diesel Exhaust Fluid (If Equipped) With the key in the on position, illuminates when the DEF is contaminated, low or someone has tampered with the DEF system. See Selective Catalytic Reductant System (page 195).

 

[jmperlik]

@Milehghcty - looked up the icon on Page 107 of 2018 Ford F150 Owner's Manual and I can unequivocally state I have never seen that specific icon in my IPC = not normal

 

[Dunrollin]

I never got that one either. I wonder if you can drain the def tank and add fresh.

 

[PercheNoir]

I have to say, I am with the group here. I haven't had the pleasure of that indication. Doing a search on draining and flushing the DEF tank I ran across this article that describes a situation when the light comes on for restricted injector (Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P208E – Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Injector Testing – 2017-2020 Ford F-Super Duty/2018-2020 F-150 | Ford). I also came across this thread that contains a procedure for draining the DEF tank on a 6.7 system and a suggestion to rinse with distilled water before refilling (Draining DEF Tank - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums). While the dealership filled my DEF tank at purchase, my personal plan is to not put any more fluid in than I will use in 6 months. In my reading online I have found many that mention DEF has a shelf life and it can go bad in the tank. Hoping the flush and fill will fix any issue you may have.

 

[Milehghcty]

Thanks all. Since the vehicle is still new to me thought it was normal. I did look to see if the computer threw a fault code and there isn't any. So I still thought normal, but since you all are not seeing now I know not normal. Think this prob a warranty (still under bumper to bumper warranty for 23k miles) item so will take back to dealer and have them fix. Even tho I've driven 1600 miles with it on and several regens, now I'm concerned at some point I may lose power. Dealer is 65 miles away.

 

[jmperlik]

@Milehghcty - I went back and found your first post to determine what you own: 2018 F150 w/24K miles + ~1.5 years old when purchased used from dealer trade-in

Questions for you:

1. Has this indicator always been on since you have purchased the truck?
2. Did you buy the truck as "Certified Used" from your dealer?
3. If so for #2, did you get an extended warranty as part of the "Certified Used" purchase?

If you answered "Yes" to all three (3) questions, then I might be somewhat alarmed about your "Certified Used" purchase as:
=> I gotta believe that as soon as this icon flipped on that a DTC was registered (code + date occurred) in the computer
===> I have no faith in your ScanGauge II tool on this truck until LinearLogic fully supports all of the new PIDs for the Ford F150 3.0L PS Diesel
===> The first thing that FORScan does when you connect to your truck is to run diagnostics on every system and reports any DTCs
=> I would ask your Service Manager to pull the DTCs, have them tell you the date associated with this error, and correlate with your purchase date
===> On 2nd thought if I were in yours shoes, I'd be buying an ODBii adapter and getting FORScan enabled to pull the DTC(s) myself before taking it back to the dealer
===> If DTC date is before your used purchase date, I'd be laying into the Sales Manager and Service Manager for selling you a "Certified Used" truck with this indicator on...
=> I'm wondering if Ford will honor this as a warranty claim, as I know that they do not for water contamination in your fuel system
===> They can just used the "You used old/sub-standard/non-Ford DEF" excuse (even thought DEF is universally the same but does expire) to deny the warranty claim
===> If you haven't added any DEF since purchase (unlikely in ~1600 miles) then I would turn that argument back on them, since they were the last to service

Please report back with what your dealer finds out

 

[Milehghcty]

jmperlik: yes to Ford certified. I have B to B warranty to 48k and 4 years. Then drive train 7 years 100k.

I have not put any DEF in as was filled by dealer. Down to 3/4 now. I'll have to assume that the indicator was on the whole time, as I didn't notice until I changed the gauge view by removing the turbo and adding the DEF gauge approx 600 miles ago. Then I thought was normal until I read the owners manual and thought I'd ask all the experts on this forum.

Unfortinately, the dealer I bought the vehicle from is not the same dealer that is now doing the servicing. Purchase dealer is over 700+ miles away. Servicing dealer is 65 miles. I'm starting to have no faith in the dealer I bought the vehicle from, as the "Ford Certified" was added to sweeten the deal for me since I asked for extended warranty at their expense. Think it was done in a rush and the dealer did the minimal checks although checked off on over 177 items. If there is a DTC and it was before purchase, is my beef/warrant or complaint only with purchasing dealer?

I agree that the scangauge may not read all the DTCs, so maybe there is a DTC I'm not seeing out there. I've been working with Linear Logic and although they are responsive, they seem to be struggling. They had me try x-gauge commands for the 6.7 powerstrock but still no joy. Just haven't ordered OBDLink yet as none of my laptops have bluetooth unless I get a Bluetooth adapter (all 3 are Win10). I do have an old iPhone SE so would be nice to have bluetooth but understand you can only view and it takes Win10 to make changes update. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006NZTZL...colid=7J2JZCPL6JQG&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it Perhaps I need to get the one with a usb so can use with laptop if I want to make changes. Amazon.com: OBDLink EX FORScan OBD Adapter: Automotive

Got appoint with dealer next Thursday. Earliest I could get in to their diesel guy. Will give update after visit. If not covered by warranty, then prob will try and drain and clear myself. I

Thanks again for the assistance

 

[jmperlik]

@Milehghcty - is the Extended Warranty you got from the selling dealer really a Ford Protect PremiumCare ESP contract? Or is it from 3rd party aftermarket warranty company?

The reason I ask is:

• A Ford ESP contract is a Ford ESP contract:
  • Any Ford dealer in the US must honor the Ford ESP contract
• Ford Offers two (2) types of ESP (Extended Service Plans) contracts:
  • Ford Protect PremiumCare w/Roadside Assistance (Extended Warranty)
  • Ford Protect Premium Maintenance Plan (=pre-paid service for oil changes and all other fluids)
• You can check if you have either ESP contracts in your FordPass app:

While if it is a 3rd-party aftermarket extended warranty, good luck getting your servicing dealer to honor....

 

[jmperlik]

... Just haven't ordered OBDLink yet as none of my laptops have bluetooth unless I get a Bluetooth adapter (all 3 are Win10). I do have an old iPhone SE so would be nice to have Bluetooth but understand you can only view and it takes Win10 to make changes update....

Pretty much every laptop manufactured for past 15 years should have some form of Bluetooth adapter built-in, especially if any of your laptops came w/Windows 10 pre-installed...

You can check by:

1. Left-click on the Windows icon in the lower-left-hand-corner on Windows 10 and then click on Settings:
   
2. Left-click on Bluetooth & other devices:
   
3. Ensure Bluetooth slider is switched to On
4. Pick up with FORScan Installation section of START HERE: New FORScan user education

 

[Milehghcty]

Checked all 3 laptops and no bluetooth. Also checked in Device Manager Network adapters and still nothing. The oldest is 10 years old, then 6 years old, and the newest is 3 years old. 2 are HP (I-7 and I-3) and the other Toshiba (I-5). Strange that none have BT. Didn't really have a need for BT until now. All are Win10 but only the newest one came already installed.

Concerning warranty all my paperwork indicates Ford Certified Preowned. When I go to Fordpass, Ford Protect it shows ESP 84/100,000 CPO Powertraincare W/ROADSIDE. Expires 11/07/2025. Then shows 12/12,000 CPO USED PREMIUMCARE WARRANTY. Exp 11/07/22/48,000. Not sure what CPO stands for?

Also went to Vehicle Health Report in Fordpass and it indicates Green No Issues concerning the Engine, Transmission, and Emmisions. If I had a DTC concerning the DEF/Emmisions wouldn't it show a problem in the health report?

Thanks for your help jmperlik, learning something new each time you post!

 

[jmperlik]

@Milehghcty - OK, good that you have official Ford ESP contracts, as that should make things easier to get resolved.

CPO = Certified Pre-Owned

FordPass is certainly annoying enough when you are running low on DEF (daily notifications), so I would hope something would register in FordPass for your condition, but given that you are the only forum member to experience this condition, we really don't know.... Very good question to ask either of your dealers?

Please report back what your servicing dealer has to say later this week....

 

[Milehghcty]

Went to scheduled appoint today at Ford Dealer on the DEF light. Dealer said what I'm seeing is the outline of the light/figure that will glow bright if their is a problem with the DEF. Said it would glow a bright color (yellow they thought) and I'd also get a screen notice saying there is a DEF problem. Indicated they didn't need to scan for a DTC. Feeling kind of like I should have known better … but still learning. Five minutes in and out! Perhaps since my scangauge didn't show any DTCs, it might be working properly when it comes to DTCs

Strange that none of you are seeing the same outline of the DEF warning light … perhaps it only shows when you have the DEF in the gauge view. I might transfer my DEF gauge for the Turbo gauge … which is what was showing when I purchased.

 

[jmperlik]

@Milehghcty - OK, I switched my view to DIesel Exhaust Fluid view and now see the transparent icon you are talking about (which I circled in green in this screen cap)

By transparent, I mean that icon is not colored (as your dealer explained)
=> IF you had real issue with DEF contamination, the you would get an AMBER version of this icon in lower right
=> As Murphy would have it, I snapped this pick when I had Auto-Regen disabled
==> The AMBER icon in lower right (circled in red) is the icon for Auto-Regen disabled
==> This is the area of the of the display and the color of the icon you will get if you have real DEF contamination issue
=> Given you really didn't have an issue, then your ScanGauge gets a pardon-from-the-governor this time around

Sorry I didn't check this view earlier causing a trip to your dealer more than an hour away for this false alarm
=> I misunderstood your post and thought you had an Amber icon
=> Maybe next time snap a pic and post it with your question = this could have saved you a trip
=> Sorry for wasting your valuable time

 

[bertapowerstroke]

I know this is an old thread, only posting for someone searching for info like me. FYI looks like this if there is a problem.