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Intermittent Water in Fuel Light

CDAHLARMA

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I have a 2022 Ram 2500 diesel. A few times yesterday, the water in fuel light came on with only one chime. After a couple of minutes, it would turn off, just to come back on again minutes later. In the owner's manual, it states that only one chime means there might be something wrong with the sensor or wiring, and 5 chimes means there is water in the fuel. I decided I was going to try to drain the fuel water separator filter under the truck near the back. I turned the water drain valve but nothing came out. Any ideas?
 
didn't turn the valve enough if you dont get a little fuel. You will need that valve open then turn the ignition to RUN but DO NOT start the truck and it should pump out fuel.
 
Drain the fuel/water separator filters when the Water
In Fuel Indicator Light is ON. Within 10 minutes of
vehicle shutdown, turn the engine mounted filter drain
valve (located on the side of the filter assembly)
counterclockwise 1/4 turn, and turn the under body
mounted filter drain valve (located on the bottom of
the filter assembly) counterclockwise 1 full turn. Then
turn the ignition switch to the ON position, and allow
any accumulated water to drain. Leave the drain valve
open until all water and contaminants have been
removed. When clean fuel is visible, close the drain
valve following these guidelines:
1. Rotate the drain clockwise to close until you feel
resistance from the internal seal.
2. Continue turning the drain 1/2 of a turn to properly
compress the seal.
NOTE:
Over-compression of the seal due to overtightening
of the drain will damage the seal,
cause a leak, and require the entire sensor to be
replaced.
3. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
The sensor drain should not be over-tightened during
normal service operations to avoid internal damage
and future fuel leaks. The drain should be closed and
secured without the use of tools.
 
I have a 2022 Ram 2500 diesel. A few times yesterday, the water in fuel light came on with only one chime. After a couple of minutes, it would turn off, just to come back on again minutes later. In the owner's manual, it states that only one chime means there might be something wrong with the sensor or wiring, and 5 chimes means there is water in the fuel. I decided I was going to try to drain the fuel water separator filter under the truck near the back. I turned the water drain valve but nothing came out. Any ideas?
Whats the temps around you? There could be ice blocking the drain
 
Drain the fuel/water separator filters when the Water
In Fuel Indicator Light is ON. Within 10 minutes of
vehicle shutdown, turn the engine mounted filter drain
valve (located on the side of the filter assembly)
counterclockwise 1/4 turn, and turn the under body
mounted filter drain valve (located on the bottom of
the filter assembly) counterclockwise 1 full turn. Then
turn the ignition switch to the ON position, and allow
any accumulated water to drain. Leave the drain valve
open until all water and contaminants have been
removed. When clean fuel is visible, close the drain
valve following these guidelines:
1. Rotate the drain clockwise to close until you feel
resistance from the internal seal.
2. Continue turning the drain 1/2 of a turn to properly
compress the seal.
NOTE:
Over-compression of the seal due to overtightening
of the drain will damage the seal,
cause a leak, and require the entire sensor to be
replaced.
3. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
The sensor drain should not be over-tightened during
normal service operations to avoid internal damage
and future fuel leaks. The drain should be closed and
secured without the use of tools.
Does the engine-mounted filter drain have to be turned and "open" in order for the underbody-mounted filter drain to drain? Or do each of them drain separately?
 
Does the engine-mounted filter drain have to be turned and "open" in order for the underbody-mounted filter drain to drain? Or do each of them drain separately?
Separate. I assume you do have ice thats why its not draining
 
Well it warmed up to about 45 degree today and was able to drain it. This is what it looks like - I don't see any water. So now I'm guessing the only other option is that its a faulty sensor..?

dieselfuel.JPG
 
Well it warmed up to about 45 degree today and was able to drain it. This is what it looks like - I don't see any water. So now I'm guessing the only other option is that its a faulty sensor..?

View attachment 81976
Depending on he amount of water you may not see it. I would maybe add some HEET or similar and keep an eye on it.
 
The fact that it did not drain in the cold leads me to think it was actually water but seeing the sample has me scratching my head.
If its a very small amount of water it can actually mix with the diesel in very small droplets, probably got some bad diesel last fill up.

 
If its a very small amount of water it can actually mix with the diesel in very small droplets, probably got some bad diesel last fill up.

I am aware of that but I would assume he has let that jar sit a while for the emulsified water to separate
 
I am aware of that but I would assume he has let that jar sit a while for the emulsified water to separate
I have no idea, all I know is that I have seen diesels(construction equipment) that have had water tests come back positive and you never had the separation between the fuel and the water visually. Not sure how sensitive the water sensor is on these trucks but seems the word on the street is that its "really" sensitive, so whatever that means. :D
 
**UPDATE**

So since this issue first came up, I have had it into the dealership 3 times now. It has been at the dealer this most recent time for over a week, and they just told me they need yet another few days.

First, they said it was just that the fuel filters needed to be replaced. I disagreed, but that didn't go anywhere. Since they had just sold it to me a few weeks prior, I was able to convince them to cover the charge, even though filters weren't technically an "under warranty" item. They gave it back to me and sent me on my way. The very next time I drove it on snowy roads (maybe 2-3 days later), the light and single chime came right back on, so I brought it right back to them. This second time they said it was the fuel filter housing itself that needed to be replaced. This time, they covered the cost under "warranty", replaced it, and sent me on my way. Well, the same thing happened again a few days later, so I brought it in yet again - obviously very upset by this point. This third (most recent) time, the first thing they said was that the "connector" for the sensor itself needed to be replaced. They had to order the part and it would take a few days. A few days pass and I get a message that the wrong part came in, and that I needed to wait another day for the correct part to arrive. Well, that part came in, they replaced it, and I told them that I would not take the vehicle back unless they took it through a car wash to emulate the rain/snow situation. They agreed, and of course, it came right back on when they took it through the car wash. Now they are saying they need to replace the entire chassis harness/wiring (and sent me the picture below of what I was able to find as Mopar part 68521690AA).


1740511132334.png

On top of all this, I contacted Ram Customer Care and the person on the phone opened a case and said that a case manager would reach out to me and work with the dealership. That person emailed me the next day to say that they were going to work with the dealership. I didn't respond, as I assumed that it was just a courtesy email to introduce themselves, and that they would respond again with their findings or any updates. The next email I got was 3 days later saying that since they didn't get a response from me, they closed the case. I have responded back to the person 3 times since then and have gotten nothing back.

Needless to say, this has been a hell of a headache! The positive is that they sold me the used Ram with a 3 month 4,000 mile warranty (I just bought it used at the beginning of the year with 44,000 miles), so they have covered all of the costs so far. Obviously, the negative is that they seem to just be replacing random things one-by-one trying to see if each thing fixes the problem, without actually knowing what is actually causing the problem. The old "throw sh*t at the wall to see if it sticks" approach.

I believe, once this is all over, they will have had the truck for more time than I have so far...

Here's to hoping the chassis harness/wiring is the real culprit...
 
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There’s a couple common spots where the harness has been known to rub, it’s probably the case.
 
**UPDATE #2**

The entire wiring harness did not fix the problem either. They told me it was completed and the problem was solved, so I went to pick it up. I didn't even drive it more than about 8 feet before the light came right back on. I don't even think the bed of the truck was fully out of the service bay. Naturally, I was pissed that they made me drive down just to experience the light again IMMEDIATELY. So now everyone is stumped and there is talks of opening a STAR case with Stellantis. In the meantime, they say they have ordered another, different, wiring harness with hopes that will solve the problem, but that part is another week out, and then likely another week for them to install.

The mystery, and my headache, continues...
 
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You can also experience waxing when cold . Put a good anti gelling additive in it . Howes and similar products also absorb water . Used Howes for 35 years and never had a jelled fuel incident I have been in some really cold areas . They guarantee or pay the tow .
 
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