Dear Mike,
I recently took my 2012 Ford F-350 to the dealership for an oil change and they told me that my DEF Heater Circuit needed to be replaced. I have no idea what this is or what it involves. Can you give me some insight on what a DEF Heater Circuit is and what I should expect during the replacement process?
Sincerely,
Bridgette
Dear Bridgette,
First of all, let me just say that I’m sorry to hear about your recent troubles with your diesel vehicle. But fear not, my friend, because I’m here to provide you with all the juicy details about DEF Heater Circuits and what you can expect during the replacement process.
Now, as you probably already know, DEF (Diesel Emission Fluid) systems are designed to reduce the amount of pollutants emitted by diesel vehicles. And to ensure that the DEF fluid doesn’t freeze in temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius, all DEF systems come equipped with heating elements.
In your case, it sounds like the DEF Heater Circuit in your F-350 has gone kaput, and that’s why you’re experiencing issues with your vehicle operating in limp mode or not operating at full power.
But what exactly is a DEF Heater Circuit, you ask? Well, to put it simply, it’s the electrical system that powers the heating element in your DEF system. When you turn on your engine, the DEF Heater Circuit sends electrical current to the heating element in your DEF system, which then warms up the DEF fluid and prevents it from freezing.
If your DEF Heater Circuit is malfunctioning, it means that your heating element isn’t getting the electrical current it needs to properly warm up the DEF fluid. And as a result, your vehicle’s performance suffers.
Now, as for what you can expect during the replacement process, it’s really quite straightforward. Your mechanic should be able to replace the DEF Heater Circuit fairly quickly, and it shouldn’t take more than a few hours to complete.
Essentially, the old DEF Heater Circuit will be removed and a new one will be installed in its place. Your mechanic will then test the system to make sure everything is working properly, and voila! Your vehicle should be back to full power in no time.
But before you head off to the garage, let me leave you with a few words of wisdom. While DEF systems are great for reducing emissions and improving air quality, they do require a bit of maintenance to keep them in working order. And one of the most important maintenance tasks is to regularly check and replace your DEF fluid.
As I mentioned earlier, DEF is made from a mixture of deionized water and urea, which is a synthetic compound derived from urine. And just like any other fluid in your vehicle, DEF can break down over time and lose its effectiveness. So be sure to keep a close eye on your DEF fluid levels and replace the fluid when needed.
And that’s it! I hope this has been helpful, Bridgette. And if you have any other questions about DEF systems or diesel vehicles in general, feel free to hit me up anytime.
Cheers,
Mike Urban