DPF Forced Regen Tools - What works and What does not

[Rich W.]

Rich W.
Just a thought but perhaps Monday when you ask whether it will do a regen at 0% soot, you could ask if it can do a regen at any other soot level les than the 80% mentioned?

Good research and write up by you guys, thank you.

Definitely. I watched a lot of videos on these things last night, something I generally avoid, and I have a lot of questions, so when I have some definite info I’ll report back, but the Diesel Laptops Handheld looks promising. OTR Diagnostics is the most functional of the code readers/clearers/regen tools I’ve tried and also the most expensive. But it works under any conditions.

For code reading only and to compare info, I tried this: NEXIQ Blue-Link™ Mini - NEXIQ.com but didn’t find it particularly useful and returned it.

 

[Neal]

One note to share from the tech that came to me for my incident he mentioned in 2024 they are supposed to open up the info from the OBD to be more like cars and less protected needing a service tech with specific software. I don't know what that means but it sounds like there is some change coming in 2024 and later diesel engines with better information access and possibly control.

 

[Scotttkd2]

I have just received my Nexas NL102P tool that claims to do a forced regen on the Cummins ISX-15.

It does not work. I am in the process of working with support to get this resolved, but for now this tool DOES NOT WORK on the ISX-15.

I also tested on my 2021 Dodge Ram..and it too fails.

I will post an update if tech support resolves the problem.

I also ordered the NL102P from the Walmart link, mine though is delayed in shipping and wont be here until middle next week. Hoping to try it on my IBS6.7 Cummins but coach is 2 weeks out in shop right now. I will follow the progress in this thread until I can try it out myself.

 

[redbaron]

One note to share from the tech that came to me for my incident he mentioned in 2024 they are supposed to open up the info from the OBD to be more like cars and less protected needing a service tech with specific software. I don't know what that means but it sounds like there is some change coming in 2024 and later diesel engines with better information access and possibly control.

This is part of "right to repair"

 

[Scotttkd2]

Might be impressive but why do you have to jump through hoops to get this unit to work when their advertising shows how simple it all should be?

I watched a YouTube video of a truck driver using the NL102P device to force a regen, and it took him through a step by step clearing all those parameters first, wouldn't move forward until temp was in range, etc. Wasn't a Cummins engine though, so maybe its interface is different depending on make or model of engine??

 

[Neal]

There is a process and params and that's key. Even my service tech with his laptop had to wait for params, clear codes, then initiate the forced regen. The one concern above is soot level. I hope auto regens never let it get to 80%. As my tech stated, when in zone 5 there is no guarantee a regen will work or even kick off. I think zone 5 is 80-100% I'm guessing.

 

[Rich W.]

There is a process and params and that's key. Even my service tech with his laptop had to wait for params, clear codes, then initiate the forced regen. The one concern above is soot level. I hope auto regens never let it get to 80%. As my tech stated, when in zone 5 there is no guarantee a regen will work or even kick off. I think zone 5 is 80-100% I'm guessing.

Not sure if this helps but I was told yesterday by an OTR tech that the % soot load reading goes to 200%. Ive seen 130% on mine and it had me wondering. That explains it and since all the code readers read the same output from the ECM my guess is that the same is true for the Nexus unit. But of course different devices may process the data differently, so…..?

 

[Neal]

Can someone find a correlation in soot % and soot phase/zone whatever it's called? I understand there are 5 zones.

 

[Neal]

So we don't get off topic on TOOLS this thread is for, I created another thread for more of learning about DPF, SOOT, ASH, REGENS, etc. Let's keep this thread on topic for tools we can use and learn from.

FYI - Learning about DPF and REGENS

Let's use this thread to learn about the DPF system, variables, values, etc. https://dieselnet.com/tech/dpf_ash.php https://www.arrowtruck.com/a-deeper-look-into-understanding-dpf/...

rvforums.com

 

[Scotttkd2]

Sounds good and here’s a potentially worthwhile UPDATE:
The Diesel Decoder ($350 and uses your phone or tablet)….

Now Does DPF Regens!​

The Diesel Decoder is now updated to do DPF regens! To access these features, make sure you update your Diesel Decoder app to the latest version on the app store you use.

Diesel Decoder:

Diesel Decoder Mobile Diagnostic Tool for Apple & Android

Pays for itself in one saved tow or dealer diagnostic visit! Designed for heavy-duty truck owner-operators and small commercial fleets, the Diesel Decoder is a powerful one-of-a-kind diagnostic tool for all heavy-duty truck makes. Just plug it into a diagnostic port, sync it via Bluetooth® to...

www.diesellaptops.com

So I updated the app, the commands are there, but I was unable to get it to do a regen. It took the command, but the regen never started. I warmed it up to 186° so that wasn’t the problem, but maybe it wont do a regen if the DPF is at 0% soot load (which mine is). I’ll call them on Monday. If it works this will probably be the best bet for code reading and clearing and performing regens. So stay tuned for more on Monday….

Some screenshots from the updated app:

Hi Rich, in a different older post on this site you mention this device but say it does not have the capability to clear codes, can you confirm that it now does with the updated software version??

 

[Rich W.]

Hi Rich, in a different older post on this site you mention this device but say it does not have the capability to clear codes, can you confirm that it now does with the updated software version??

There is an update to the app that I didn’t know about (or it didnt exist then). I found out about while it on this round of DPF related discussion. However I dont have any codes to clear, and I couldnt get it to initiate a forced regen, so Im not certain about the commands.

They are there in the new version of the app, but since the regen one didnt work for me, and I cant test the code clearing part (I suppose I could cause some codes but Im kind of superstious about all this), I cant say if it does or not.

I can say that their customer service/tech support is top notch and these folks are leaders in the industry, so my advice would be to wait until I can post an update early next week, hopefully Monday. They have tech support on Saturday so it might be sooner. I have become an ad-hoc beta tester on this (they want to know why it didnt regen as well) as of earlier today, so stay tuned.

 

[Scotttkd2]

Thanks for the reply, and thanks again for working on this and sharing your results. I found a diesel decoder on amazon from one of their resellers, and ordered it as a just In case it will work. If not, back it goes. My Nexas device is still in transit, but I cant check out either until i get the coach back. Hopefully one of them will clear codes and force regen as advertised on my specific rig. Looking forward to getting back on the road!

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Ronnie,

Assuming you mean the X15 (the ISX is a different model), have you considered the PDI Tuner? Many Newells are running the ISX and X15 with the tuner which includes a force REGEN function; along with so much more.

Of course, the PDI tuner is over $2k, so maybe this isn’t what you want…but you’d sure love it.

 

[Rich W.]

Diesel Decoder update
Diesel Decoder Mobile Diagnostic Tool with DPF Regens for Apple & Android
Did a forced (parked, manual) regen with this today. It does work, it just takes some time before it initiates. Also I bought mine almost a year ago when they didn’t perform commands, and all I had to do was update the app and be patient (I struggle with this) to now do regens with it.

With OTR it’s almost immediate so thats what I was expecting. But today I initiated the command, left it running, and walked away. I got involved in some other stuff in the garage and about 5 minites later heard the RPM go up and sure enough it was in regen.

So yes it works as claimed. Also generates comprehensive reports that you can email easily to anyone, reads and clears codes, and displays EVERYTHING in live data. OTR displays a handful of parameters considered necessary. This unit displays everything the ECM sees. TMI really but its interesting.

So there you have it - $350 for a device that does what it claims and displays everything on your smart device. I use my ipad because I like a bigger format.

The only thing OTR has that this doesn’t is the After Treatment Re-set, as I discussed earlier. OTR is a bit more advanced, but the Diesel Decoder is more than adequate for RV owners. OTR is more geared for truckers and fleet owners/managers.

So I can recommend the Diesel Decoder and if you watch the website (Handheld) you’ll occasionally find used items at a reduced cost. They had these used for $250 a couple days ago. I got one of these Diesel Laptops Handheld Heavy-Duty Scan Tool with Regen for $299 three days ago. Still hasn’t arrived so no review yet.

Cheers!

PS: Neal, I’m going to talk to tech suppoort at Diesel Laptops on Monday and I’ll try to get your phase/% question answered then.

 

[FLSteve]

Following too ...

 

[Rich W.]

I just spoke with Diesel Laptops tech support again, and Neal he said he didn’t know about a coorelation between DPF soot load phases and % - said he is more an IT support guy. So that one is still unanswered.

But he confirmed that both the Diesel Decoder and the Hand Held HD scan tool do essentially the same thing: read and clear codes, and perform regens. Since I don't have any codes to clear (and don’t feel like causing any) I wanted to confirm that.

He also said that neither have the after treatment re-set function as OTR does, but as I mentioned earlier, most of us will never need that, especially if we are diligent about performing preemptive regens.

Both have extensive code libraries, the Diesel Decoder being easier to read because it uses an app on your favorite smart device, and the Handheld scanner having the advantage of being plugged directly in to your j1939 port so not dependent on a smart device. I like having both.

Also Diesel Laptops tech support is open until 9pm Eastern time.

 

[Neal]

My main goal is to not get into a service situation and finding a mobile tech type thing. I want to stay ahead of this and keep my DPF clean and do regens proactively if possible. When I'm near or at Gaffney I'll be attempting one via the shorting plug with no light (regen) and see if I can get it to do a regen. Continuing to monitor this thread for tool suggestions for allowing us to do proactive preventative regens.

 

[J&JD]

If I have been following this thread correctly, Rich, you now have 3 devices that essentially do the same things - OTR and two Diesel Laptops devices. If ease of use, and available functions are best with the OTR unit, wouldn’t that be the unit of choice if you can stomach the $800 price tag? Are there any other reasons to pick one of the Diesel Laptops instead of OTR?

 

[stang37]

I the a 2016 Ventana and have looked under the dash for the shorting plug. I have yet to find it so not sure it has one. Also purchased the Nexas NL102 Plus Heavy Duty Truck Scanner which came today. It will not perform the DPF regen. Shows on the screen but will not work says function not supported... It does show codes, which I have none active and it works on my Gladiator

 

[Neal]

I the a 2016 Ventana and have looked under the dash for the shorting plug. I have yet to find it so not sure it has one. Also purchased the Nexas NL102 Plus Heavy Duty Truck Scanner which came today. It will not perform the DPF regen. Shows on the screen but will not work says function not supported... It does show codes, which I have none active and it works on my Gladiator

Is there a white plug/connector below the OBD port? White plug with red lock below is the shorting plug. Separate and then reconnect per the procedure outlined in my Broke down thread.