File in Section:
Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

06 - Engine
12-06-04-002B
October, 2013

INFORMATION
Subject:

Information on Exhaust Fluid Range, Exhaust Fluid Quality Poor, Service Exhaust Fluid
System or Service Emission System Driver Information Center Messages

Models:

2010-2014 Chevrolet Express, Silverado
2010-2014 GMC Savana, Sierra
Equipped with 6.6L Duramax™ Diesel Engine (RPO LGH and LML)

This bulletin has been revised to add the 2013-2014 model years and update the 2011 and
2012 DIC Charts. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 12-06-04-002A.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle
exhibits the symptom(s) described in this bulletin.
A dealer may encounter customer concerns of the
driver information center (DIC) showing messages of
exhaust fluid range, exhaust fluid quality poor, service
exhaust fluid system or service emission system. The
message may have originally illuminated as a result of
diesel exhaust fluid related DTCs, including but not
limited to, P207F, P20EE, P2BAD, P249D, P249E or
P202E. In some cases, the technician may have
actually repaired the root cause of the DTC that
originally illuminated the message but if the correct
reset procedure is not followed, the message may
remain on even though no DTCs are resetting. As a
result, the information below may be helpful in
determining why the message is on when no DTCs are
resetting.
General information and helpful guidelines to use when
diagnosing and repairing diesel exhaust fluid related
DIC warnings and messages

Common exhaust system component location and
identification:

2859083

Legend
(A)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(B)
(4)
(5)
(C)
(6)
(7)
Copyright 2013 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Turbocharger Downpipe
NOX sensor number 1
Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT)
sensor 1
Hydrocarbon (HC) injector
Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC)\
Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT)
sensor 2
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Reductant
injector
Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR)
NOX sensor number 2
Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT)
sensor 3

Page 2
(D)
(8)

October, 2013
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT)
sensor 4

2011 Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) DIC
Messages:
Service Exhaust Fluid System (Tamper): This message
displays when a DTC sets related to the DEF system
that is interpreted as tampering with the system. A
detailed warning strategy is explained in SI
Document 2410875.
Exhaust Fluid Quality Poor: This message displays
when the exhaust fluid is of poor quality or DEF related
hardware reflects poor quality. A DTC will be set. A
detailed warning strategy is explained in SI
Document 2410872.
Exhaust Fluid Range X MI (KM): This message
displays when the DEF tank has 1,000 miles (1,609 km)
or less range remaining. A DTC will not be set. The
DEF mileage countdown may not match the actual
mileage the vehicle is traveling. A detailed warning
strategy is explained in SI Document 2410869.
If a combination of the above conditions exists
simultaneously on a vehicle, the order of repair must be
followed by using the DIC as the guide to what needs to
be fixed first. The DIC will always display the correct
order of repair. For example, if a tamper condition and a
poor quality condition exist together, the DIC will
display "Service Exhaust Fluid System” until the tamper
condition is corrected. It will then display "Exhaust Fluid
Quality Poor,” which will need to be corrected next.

2012-2014 Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) DIC
Messages:
Service Exhaust Fluid System (Tamper): This message
displays when a DTC sets related to the DEF system
that is interpreted as tampering with the system. A
detailed warning strategy is explained in SI
Document 2595030.
Exhaust Fluid Quality Poor: This message displays
when the exhaust fluid is of poor quality or DEF related
hardware reflects poor quality. A DTC may or may not
be set. A detailed warning strategy is explained in SI
Document 2595024.
Service Emission System (Not-Tamper): This message
displays when a DTC sets related to the DEF system
that is interpreted as an Emission Control fault. A
detailed warning strategy is explained in SI
Document 2595096.
Exhaust Fluid Range X MI (KM): This message
displays when the DEF tank has 1,000 miles (1,609 km)
or less range remaining. The DEF mileage countdown
may not match the actual mileage the vehicle is
traveling. A detailed warning strategy is explained in SI
Document 2595014.
If a combination of the above conditions exists
simultaneously on a vehicle, the order of repair must be
followed by using the DIC as the guide to what needs to
be fixed first. The DIC will always display the correct
order of repair. For example, if a tamper condition and a
poor quality condition exist together, the DIC will

Bulletin No.: 12-06-04-002B

display "Service Exhaust Fluid System” until the tamper
condition is corrected. It will then display "Exhaust Fluid
Quality Poor,” which will need to be corrected next.
Do not forget to check the obvious such as:
• Aftermarket Air Cleaner
• Look at ALER – Refer to the latest version of
PIP4932: Duramax Diesel Airflow Leak
Equivalency Ratio and P0101
• Look at Calibration – Refer to the latest version of
Bulletin 08-06-04-006
• Exhaust Leak – Downpipe to Cat, Cracked
Downpipe
• Charge Air Cooler System leaks
• DEF Fluid (Using contaminated water,
dilution, etc.)
If any of the codes listed below are present, all of the
codes in the same group or "bucket" must run and pass
before the Reductant Fluid Quality Test (RFQT) or
Reductant System Malfunction Warning Test will run
and pass to turn off the Service Exhaust Fluid System
message or the Service Emission System message. All
codes must be repaired before P207F, P20EE, and
P2BAD. Follow the SI procedure, model year specific,
to correct P207F, P20EE and P2BAD. The DIC
messages will be turned off during the steps embedded
in the applicable Service Information document.
2011
Tamper
Group 1: P203D, P2047, P208A, P21AB, P21B0.
P2200, P2205, P229E, P22A3, U010E, U029D,
U029E, P204C, P205C
Group 2: P204F, P202E
Group 3: P20B9, P20BD, P20C1
Group 4: P242D, P2033, P2047, P208A, P20A0
2012
Not Tamper
Group 1: P20BC, P20C0. P20C4. P1048, P1049,
P2032, P203C, P203D, P2048, P2049, P204C, P204D,
P208A, P208B, P208D, P20A1, P21AA, P21AB,
P21AF, P21B0, P2200, P2205, P229E, P22A3, P242C,
PC10E, P1043, P20E8, P20E9, P204B, P20A0,
P20A3, P20A2, P205C
Tamper Group 2: P204F, P202E
Tamper Group 3: PC29D, PC29E, P242D, P2033,
P2047
Tamper Group 4: P20B9, P20BB, P20BD, P20BF,
P20C1, P20C3
2013-2014
Tamper
Bucket 1: P204F, P202E
Bucket 2: PC29D, PC29E, P2047, P242D, P2033
Bucket 3: P20B9, P20BB, P20BD, P20BF, P20C1,
P20C3

Bulletin No.: 12-06-04-002B

October, 2013

Page 3

Not Tamper
Bucket 1: P1043, P1048, P1049, P2032, P203C,
P203D, P2048, P204C, P204D, P205C, P208A,
P208D, P20A0, P20A2, P20A3, P20BC, P20C0,
P20C4, P20E9, P21AA, P21AB, P21AF, P21B0,
P242C, PC10E
Bucket 2: P204B
Bucket 3: P2049, P20E8, P20E9, P2200, P2205,
P229E, P22A3
Bucket 4: P208B
Bucket 5: P20A1
The following charts may be helpful in turning off DIC
messages.
2011 DIC Chart

3634885

Page 4

October, 2013

Bulletin No.: 12-06-04-002B

2012-2014 DIC Chart

3635996

Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use the published
Labor Operation for the actual cause and use straight
time for diagnosis.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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