Electronic Throttle Control Error - Dealer says its fuel injectors

[KC-Pitt]

2015 Ram 1500 with 32,000 miles. This is the third time I have received the message and had the engine go into limp mode. The first time the truck was 2 months old, it was 30 degrees out and I had parked it for about an hour. The dealer had it for 2 days and all they did was a software update. The second time was over a year later I had stopped for a few minutes while towing a trailer across Ohio and Indiana on a 50 degree day. I was fortunate to find a dealer just before they closed. They did a software update and I was on my way, no more turning it off that day. The most current time was today (three months later) after a 10 mile drive home from work yesterday and being parked in my driveway overnight I got to find it in limp mode once again. I took it to the dealer and they say that the fuel on the East Coast is bad and that my injectors are probably gummed up. They have to send them to be cleaned or replace them which will take several days. I have a hard time believing this since we have 4 other diesel engines in our family including one with the same engine a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 20k and no problems. Has anyone ever figured out a solution to this? Is there a way to reset if so you don't get stranded?

 

[BoostN]

So, as far as resetting it..you can get a code reader and use that to reset OBDII codes. I would assume that would clear the error message for you.

Hopefully someone else has more info for you.

 

[KC-Pitt]

That sounds like a good idea, do you recommend one and is the plug universal to all makes and models. I am looking on Amazon now. Thanks

 

[JSchneib]

Can you provide the code numbers?

 

[KC-Pitt]

 

[JSchneib]

I don't get the conclusion of fuel injectors from a boost leak / under boost code. I would have smoke tested the air intake and charge pressure system. I had the same codes on my 2015 when it had less than 100 miles on it. Found a pinched o-ring on the boost pressure sensor. Intermittent problem so one test drive could have showed the same results as yours. Need to catch the problem when it happens.
My 2 cents but I don't buy the injector diagnosis.

 

[KC-Pitt]

Thanks for your input, I bought a code reader so that the next time it happens I can get them myself and reset the computer to keep on moving. I replaced the fuel filter which the dealer is suggesting be done every 15k now. I have not looked at the air filter, but will now after reading your post. Thanks again for your 2 cents.

 

[TC Diesel]

Its extremely unlikely the Injectors are causing the problem... most likely MAP sensor.

 

[BoostN]

Its extremely unlikely the Injectors are causing the problem... most likely MAP sensor.

Wow, how many miles was on this one?

 

[TC Diesel]

8,000 miles.

 

[cevans]

I'm getting the same P0299 code intermittently on my ED - 13k miles now. It happens on first start up, seemingly randomly. The truck stays in (annoying) limp mode until I reset the code. Then it is gone. I will pull my MAP sensor and see how gummed up it is.

Potentially Useless Data Points -
*This code has only occurred for me while running my GDE ECU. It hasn't occurred on the stock ECU yet.
*I have never gotten this code while driving down the road - it is always on first start up.

 

[TC Diesel]

Clean the diffuser tube also..I'm surprised That code pops up with the GDE tune..GDE tuning is pretty good when it comes no Mil / CEL.

 

[cevans]

Diffuser tube?

 

[TC Diesel]

Picture of Diffuser Tube

 

[James Hoffman]

it is my understanding that this is a defect in the computer module. when it occured in my truck the dealer had it for 4 days and did a half dozen fixes proposed by the factory. none worked. ultimately that had to put in a new computer module and the problem has not reoccured in the 8K miles since.

 

[BoostN]

it is my understanding that this is a defect in the computer module. when it occured in my truck the dealer had it for 4 days and did a half dozen fixes proposed by the factory. none worked. ultimately that had to put in a new computer module and the problem has not reoccured in the 8K miles since.

Welcome to the forum James. Thanks for the info!

 

[kwells1254]

I get an etc error message and engine shuts down if I press the acc pedal and brake at the same time. I got this a few time before I realized that my bad driving habit was causing it.

 

[cevans]

Does the in-dash screen say "Driver Replacement Required" ?

 

[Paing]

2015 Ram 1500 with 32,000 miles. This is the third time I have received the message and had the engine go into limp mode. The first time the truck was 2 months old, it was 30 degrees out and I had parked it for about an hour. The dealer had it for 2 days and all they did was a software update. The second time was over a year later I had stopped for a few minutes while towing a trailer across Ohio and Indiana on a 50 degree day. I was fortunate to find a dealer just before they closed. They did a software update and I was on my way, no more turning it off that day. The most current time was today (three months later) after a 10 mile drive home from work yesterday and being parked in my driveway overnight I got to find it in limp mode once again. I took it to the dealer and they say that the fuel on the East Coast is bad and that my injectors are probably gummed up. They have to send them to be cleaned or replace them which will take several days. I have a hard time believing this since we have 4 other diesel engines in our family including one with the same engine a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 20k and no problems. Has anyone ever figured out a solution to this? Is there a way to reset if so you don't get stranded?

Just had the same issue with my 2015 ram with 30,000 km. Limped into the dealer with only first gear. They said it was a loose wire on the turbo. Has been fine since (about another 7000 km)

 

[cevans]

The turbocharger actuator is an electronic servo, so this is certainly plausible. Good to have multiple options for this code.

Currently:
* Dirty MAP Sensor
* Turbo Actuator Servo Connector (or wire) not fully seated