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??