DEF HICCUP

Thursday afternoon, out of the blue, my DEF warning light started flashing. (DEF = Diesel Exhaust Fluid). This was accompanied by two "check engine" lights, one of which was flashing. I pulled into the nearest truckstop to investigate and to get help. 

I called my maintenance management service to get payment primed for the shop that would be working on my truck. It took an unreal 2 full hours to get through to talk to a human being. By the time we had arrangements made, the local mechanic informed me that they weren't equipped to service my type of truck problem. 

   My truck was already going through the stages of compete shutdown. The computer had already limited my speed to 55mph. The next time I stopped, I would probably be de-rated to 5 mph - leaving me no choice but to call for a tow truck. I got back onto I-40 & continued west, toward Little Rock, Arkansas. The Freightliner dealership at exit 161 would be my next stop. I spent most of those 60 miles on the phone, trying to get through to my maintenance management service. Then, just as suddenly as my problem started, my warning lights vanished and my truck regained full speed and power. One amber light did remain lit, however. It was such a relief!

   I took my truck to the Freightliner dealership. We had everything written up, then the manager informed me that my appointment would have to wait until the following day. I described what had been going on & inquired about the risk I would be taking if I canceled the appointment to continue my journey to Dallas. We agreed that it was probably an acceptable risk to take. I reconnected to my trailer & parked at the neighboring truckstop for the night. I got up at 2am & moved fast to deliver my load at my appointment time. Everything ran just fine. I even picked up another load & made it to Springfield, Missouri. I put the truck in the shop up here & went home to Nixa. I'm hoping they discover a simple faulty sensor, fix it easily & send me on my way this afternoon (Sunday afternoon).