DEF Level Sensor replacement $1800?

1138 Views 27 Replies 7 Participants Last post by DieselDrax, 1 mo ago

Rqtdocsteve

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

2016 Colorado with $103k has DEF level indicator saying tank empty with warning to reduce MPH to 65 in 399 miles. Dealership quotes me $1800 to replace DED level sensor. $1000 parts $700 labor + taxes and fees. Anyone else seen this type of cost for this ?

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

6speedTi

· #2 · 2 mo ago

Run away from that dealership.
$1,000 worth of which parts?
Your 2016 uses the same DEF pump unit as my 2018 chevy cruze. They cost around $500, cheaper if you shop around. They can replace it in about an hours time if you have a good technician. I know books rates drive the labor cost. Shop around other dealerships. Sometimes dealers will quote a high price because they don't want to do the job.

Reactions: 1

DieselDrax

· #3 · 2 mo ago

Agreed, that price is insane. ~$500 for the part from Rock Auto (More Information for GM GENUINE 84526247 (rockauto.com) ) and it can be replaced without even removing the DEF tank itself. Biggest pain is draining the DEF so you don't make a giant mess when you remove the pump module from below. There's absolutely no reason why a dealer would charge $1800 for this job except to rip people off. Find another shop.

Reactions: 3

SFLTruck

· #4 · 2 mo ago

I absolutely hate to see people get taken advantage of.

Reactions: 1

DieselDrax

· #5 · 2 mo ago

It's unfortunate, but I often refer to these insane repair mark-ups dealers like to pull as an artificial "diesel tax." They do it with oil changes and pretty much everything else. "It's a diesel, it costs more." While true sometimes, there shouldn't be a blanket mark-up across the board just because a vehicle is a diesel, but a lot of dealers seem to do this.

Reactions: 3

6speedTi

· #6 · 2 mo ago

I stopped by a local GMC dealership last week to pick up parts. Sign on the door said hourly labor rate $225.
I talked to a relative who works as a Honda Tech. His dealership charges $155 per hour labor rate. The two dealerships are about 100 miles apart from each other. One GMC and the other Honda. If people pay attention to these details it would be a driving factor which vehicle to buy for future consideration of maintenance costs.

SFLTruck

· #7 · 2 mo ago

6speedTi said:
I stopped by a local GMC dealership last week to pick up parts. Sign on the door said hourly labor rate $225.
I talked to a relative who works as a Honda Tech. His dealership charges $155 per hour labor rate. The two dealerships are about 100 miles apart from each other. One GMC and the other Honda. If people pay attention to these details it would be a driving factor which vehicle to buy for future consideration of maintenance costs.

Wow, who'd ever thought $225 would be an hourly rate at a "big 3" dealership.
Not me.

Reactions: 1

Rqtdocsteve

Discussion Starter · #8 · 2 mo ago

I’ve called 2 dealerships parts folks both tell me GM charges them $1100 for the same part you can buy online for $483. Let the buyer beware.

6speedTi

· #9 · 2 mo ago

Rqtdocsteve said:
I’ve called 2 dealerships parts folks both tell me GM charges them $1100 for the same part you can buy online for $483. Let the buyer beware.

Yes, Rock auto. Best price so far. Don't forget the oring seal. I seriously suggest a removal tool. The locking ring is very tight. The tool works great.

6599 Fuel Tank Lock Ring Tool Fuel Pump Senders Removal Install Tools for Chrsyler Dodge Ford GM Nissan Hyundai Sante Fe Jeep Wrangler https://a.co/d/cERoy7B

GM Genuine Parts 22961657 Diesel Emissions Fluid (DEF) Supply Pump Module Seal https://a.co/d/hxb3GQM

Reactions: 4

scarrowcmgt94

· #10 · 2 mo ago

Thanks, do I have to drop the tank to access the pump ?

6speedTi

· #11 · 2 mo ago

No

DieselDrax

· #12 · 2 mo ago

scarrowcmgt94 said:
Thanks, do I have to drop the tank to access the pump ?

Just have to drop the spare tire to gain access to the pump cover on the bottom of the DEF tank. All work is done from under the truck.

Reactions: 1

6speedTi

· #13 · 2 mo ago

This is from my 2019. They changed over in 2019 to a different pump but the location and removal steps are similar. When your done Do Not fill the DEF tank to full. Add about 2 gallons

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and see if you get the percentage number readout. Basically you want it to read less than 35% or whatever the percentage starts to display after the level drops low enough from OK to a percentage number. Then drive your truck normally. This is a self reset process from what was told to me. If you go above to full or any level that displays OK then you'll have to wait untill you consume the DEF low enough for it to reset itself. You might get some messages related to DEF quantity or throw a check engine light. So just change the pump add about 2 gallons or less. Run it and you should be good. If you get an issue with no fluid pumping GM has a service bulletin. Basically you let the pump sit for 24 hours soaked in DEF.

Emission Reduction Fluid Supply Pump Module Remplacement.

EMISSION REDUCTION FLUID SUPPLY PUMP MODULE REPLACEMENT
Document ID: 4124107
Special Tools
J-45722 - Fuel Sender Lock Ring Wrench
Equivalent regional tools: Special Tools
Removal Procedure

Before performing the first steps, review the Emission Reduction Fluid and Emission Reduction Fluid Handling.
Drain the emission reduction fluid tank. Emission Reduction Fluid Tank Draining
Emission Reduction Fluid Tank Shield Replacement » Remove
Emission Reduction Fluid Pump Module Wiring Harness Replacement » Remove
Emission reduction fluid tank pump module ring (1), use the J-45722 - Fuel Sender Lock Ring Wrench

Open In New TabZoom
Emission reduction fluid supply pump module (2) @emission reduction fluid tank (4) » Remove
Emission reduction fluid supply pump module seal (3) » Remove and DISCARD

Installation Procedure

NEW emission reduction fluid supply pump module seal (3) @ emission reduction fluid supply pump module (2) » Install

Open In New TabZoom/Print
Emission reduction fluid supply pump module (2) @emission reduction fluid tank (4) » Install
Note: The locator tab (1) must align with the word LOCATOR on the emission reduction fluid tank.
Bring the emission reduction fluid supply pump module in the installation position.

Open In New TabZoom/Print
Install the emission reduction fluid tank pump module ring.
Tighten the emission reduction fluid tank pump module ring. Use the J-45722 - Fuel Sender Lock Ring Wrench .
Emission Reduction Fluid Pump Module Wiring Harness Replacement » Install
Emission Reduction Fluid Tank Shield Replacement » Install
Lower the vehicle.
Fill the emission reduction fluid tank.

See less See more

5

Reactions: 1

6speedTi

· #14 · 2 mo ago

Just to clear up some differences. The older pumps 2018 and older displays OK down to a certain level. The newer pumps 2019 and up show percentages up to 100%. There are differences in reset procedures between the two. My 2018 chevy cruze is the older pump. My 2019 colorado is the newer pump. I already replaced the DEF pump unit on the cruze and the level reset procedure sucks if you don't have any information from GM. My pain is your gain. And as usual GM being GM will have exceptions to what I posted. So if you find something different please don't shoot me and post what you did.
Thanks.

Reactions: 1

DieselDrax

· #15 · 2 mo ago

6speedTi said:
Just to clear up some differences. The older pumps 2018 and older displays OK down to a certain level. The newer pumps 2019 and up show percentages up to 100%. There are differences in reset procedures between the two. My 2018 chevy cruze is the older pump. My 2019 colorado is the newer pump. I already replaced the DEF pump unit on the cruze and the level reset procedure sucks if you don't have any information from GM. My pain is your gain. And as usual GM being GM will have exceptions to what I posted. So if you find something different please don't shoot me and post what you did.
Thanks.

So, something interesting...the DEF level display difference isn't a pump difference. In fact, the same pump module part number, 84526247, applies to all years of the twins with the 2.8. The difference in level display is purely programming. I dug into this after I connected my Banks iDash and it reported the current level % (Currently in the 40s) while the DIC still says "OK" and I've seen the level % on the iDash change.

The reset/calibration difference would also be due to the different programming and not due to pump differences, basically calibrating the computer with the sensor.

6speedTi

· #16 · 2 mo ago

My 2019 is a different part number from my 2018 Cruze.
When I use my OBD reader either Blue Driver or OBDLink MX+ it will read percentages for the Chevy Cruze even though the vehicle display shows OK.
Should be the same on older Colorado prior 2019. CRUZE and COLORADO DEF pumps have same part numbers up to 2018. 2019 was a change over for the Colorado. Cruze was discontinued in early 2019. Another GM bright decision. So any good OBD reader should read DEF quantity in percentages regardless of which pump you have.

DieselDrax

· #17 · 2 mo ago

6speedTi said:
My 2019 is a different part number from my 2018 Cruze.
When I use my OBD reader either Blue Driver or OBDLink MX+ it will read percentages for the Chevy Cruze even though the vehicle display shows OK.
Should be the same on older Colorado prior 2019. CRUZE and COLORADO DEF pumps have same part numbers up to 2018. 2019 was a change over for the Colorado. Cruze was discontinued in early 2019. Another GM bright decision. So any good OBD reader should read DEF quantity in percentages regardless of which pump you have.

GM updated the pump, the part number is the same for your Cruze and all years of the twins with the LWN. The old pump number for the twins, 84278883, was superseded by the part number I provided above. The updated part number now applies to both the Cruze and twins of all years.

VEHICLE FITMENT

Year	Make	Model	Body & Trim	Engine & Transmission
2021	Chevrolet	Colorado	LT, WT, Z71, ZR2	2.8L L4 - Diesel
2021	GMC	Canyon	AT4, Denali, Elevation	2.8L L4 - Diesel
2020	Chevrolet	Colorado	LT, WT, Z71, ZR2	2.8L L4 - Diesel
2020	GMC	Canyon	Denali, SLE, SLT	2.8L L4 - Diesel
2019	Chevrolet	Colorado	LT, WT, Z71, ZR2	2.8L L4 - Diesel
2019	Chevrolet	Cruze	Diesel	1.6L L4 - Diesel
2019	GMC	Canyon	All Terrain, Denali, SLE, SLT	2.8L L4 - Diesel
2018	Chevrolet	Colorado	LT, WT, Z71, ZR2	2.8L L4 - Diesel
2018	Chevrolet	Cruze	LT	1.6L L4 - Diesel
2018	GMC	Canyon	All Terrain, Denali, SLE, SLT	2.8L L4 - Diesel
2017	Chevrolet	Colorado	LT, WT, Z71, ZR2	2.8L L4 - Diesel
2017	Chevrolet	Cruze	LT	1.6L L4 - Diesel
2017	GMC	Canyon	Denali, SLE, SLT	2.8L L4 - Diesel
2016	Chevrolet	Colorado	LT, WT, Z71	2.8L L4 - Diesel
2016	GMC	Canyon	SLE, SLT	2.8L L4 - Diesel

See less See more

Reactions: 1

6speedTi

· #18 · 2 mo ago

Nice to know. I wonder if they finally got so much crap on the older pumps failure rate being high that they were forced to upgrade to a better pump?
I probably replaced the Cruze pump with the original older number. I'll be expecting another failure in about 2 years if I'm lucky. Thanks for the information.

scarrowcmgt94

· #19 · 2 mo ago

6speedTi said:
This is from my 2019. They changed over in 2019 to a different pump but the location and removal steps are similar. When your done Do Not fill the DEF tank to full. Add about 2 gallons View attachment 9911 View attachment 9912
and see if you get the percentage number readout. Basically you want it to read less than 35% or whatever the percentage starts to display after the level drops low enough from OK to a percentage number. Then drive your truck normally. This is a self reset process from what was told to me. If you go above to full or any level that displays OK then you'll have to wait untill you consume the DEF low enough for it to reset itself. You might get some messages related to DEF quantity or throw a check engine light. So just change the pump add about 2 gallons or less. Run it and you should be good. If you get an issue with no fluid pumping GM has a service bulletin. Basically you let the pump sit for 24 hours soaked in DEF.

Emission Reduction Fluid Supply Pump Module Remplacement.

EMISSION REDUCTION FLUID SUPPLY PUMP MODULE REPLACEMENT
Document ID: 4124107
Special Tools
J-45722 - Fuel Sender Lock Ring Wrench
Equivalent regional tools: Special Tools
Removal Procedure

Before performing the first steps, review the Emission Reduction Fluid and Emission Reduction Fluid Handling.

Drain the emission reduction fluid tank. Emission Reduction Fluid Tank Draining

Emission Reduction Fluid Tank Shield Replacement » Remove

Emission Reduction Fluid Pump Module Wiring Harness Replacement » Remove

Emission reduction fluid tank pump module ring (1), use the J-45722 - Fuel Sender Lock Ring Wrench

Open In New TabZoom

Emission reduction fluid supply pump module (2) @emission reduction fluid tank (4) » Remove

Emission reduction fluid supply pump module seal (3) » Remove and DISCARD

Installation Procedure

NEW emission reduction fluid supply pump module seal (3) @ emission reduction fluid supply pump module (2) » Install

Open In New TabZoom/Print

Emission reduction fluid supply pump module (2) @emission reduction fluid tank (4) » Install

Note: The locator tab (1) must align with the word LOCATOR on the emission reduction fluid tank.

Bring the emission reduction fluid supply pump module in the installation position.

Open In New TabZoom/Print

Install the emission reduction fluid tank pump module ring.

Tighten the emission reduction fluid tank pump module ring. Use the J-45722 - Fuel Sender Lock Ring Wrench .

Emission Reduction Fluid Pump Module Wiring Harness Replacement » Install

Emission Reduction Fluid Tank Shield Replacement » Install

Lower the vehicle.

Fill the emission reduction fluid tank.

Awesome - thank you very much! So the computer will reset itself after the pump is relaced? Don't need any fancy software to go into ECM and reset calibrations or anything else to get the countdown to limp mode message cleared ?

scarrowcmgt94

· #20 · 2 mo ago

Awesome - thank you very much! So the computer will reset itself after the pump is relaced? Don't need any fancy software to go into ECM and reset calibrations or anything else to get the countdown to limp mode message cleared ?

1 - 20 of 28 Posts