Diagnostic Test

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 RAM Pickup and 2011 RAM Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Possible Causes
INTAKE HEATER SYSTEM NOT OPERATING PROPERLY
FAULTY THERMOSTAT
FUEL HEATER NOT OPERATING PROPERLY
COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER
IMPROPER OR CONTAMINATED DIESEL FUEL
FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM / FUEL INJECTOR

CHECK THE COOLING SYSTEM FOR LEAKS
1. Pressure test the cooling system.
  Is the cooling system holding pressure?
  
  Yes
  - Go To 2.
  No
  - Diagnose and repair the coolant leak. We are looking for coolant leaking into the combustion chamber. Check EGR Cooler for internal cracks. If the cooler is not leaking then check the engine internally for faulty cylinder head gasket, or cracks to the cylinder head or block.
VERIFY CONDITION
NOTE:
Some white smoke from the tail pipe during initial start up is normal, especially during cold ambient temperatures. If the white smoke is excessive, continue with this test.
1. Allow the engine to cool to ambient temperature if possible.
2. Start the engine and allow it to idle monitoring smoke during warm up.
  Is the white smoke occuring during cold ambient temperatures at initial start up ONLY?
  
  Yes
  - Condition is normal. Verify proper operation of of the Intake and Fuel Heaters.
  No
  - Go To 3.
CHECK THE ENGINE COOLANT THERMOSTAT
1. Verify the operation of the cooling system Thermostat.
  Does the engine heat up properly to operating temperature?
  
  Yes
  - Go To 4.
  No
  - Replace the cooling system Thermostat.
CHECK THE FUEL HEATER OPERATION
1. Verify that the Fuel Heater and temperature sensor is operating properly.
  Is the fuel heater system operating normal?
  
  Yes
  - Go To 5.
  No
  - Diagnose and repair the Fuel Heater system as necessary.
CHECK FOR IMPROPER FUEL OR CONTAMINATION
1. Perform the DIESEL FUEL CONTAMINATION AND CLEANING PROCEDURE. Refer to DIESEL FUEL CONTAMINATION TESTING PROCEDURE , and DIESEL FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURE .
  Is the fuel improper or contaminated with debris?
  
  Yes
  - Follow step three of the DIESEL FUEL CONTAMINATION AND CLEANING PROCEDURE and clean the diesel fuel system and Fuel Injectors.
  - Perform the AFTERTREATMENT INSPECTION GUIDELINE procedure. Refer to AFTERTREATMENT INSPECTION GUIDELINE .
  No
  - Go To 6.
CHECKING CYLINDER CONTRIBUTION
1. Using the scan tool, navigate to Miscellaneous Functions perform the Fuel System Run Up test procedure.
  NOTE:
  This test will take approximately 270 seconds to complete. The PCM will cut out each individual Fuel Injector three times and calculate the delta RPM change. Based on the delta RPM change, the test will indicate a bad cylinder based on the limits that have been set. When the test is complete, the engine will return to idle.
  
  Do the results indicate that a cylinder is out of spec?
  
  Yes
  - Refer to the CHECKING ENGINE MISFIRE / RUNS ROUGH / PERFORMANCE TEST and begin at step 5 for diagnosing a single cylinder issue.
  No
  - Go To 7.
CHECK THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM
1. Perform the CHECKING THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM test procedure. Refer to CHECKING THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM .
  Were any problems found?
  
  Yes
  - Perform the appropriate repair.
  - Perform the AFTERTREATMENT INSPECTION GUIDELINE procedure. Refer to AFTERTREATMENT INSPECTION GUIDELINE .
  No
  - Refer to the CHECKING ENGINE MISFIRE / RUNS ROUGH / PERFORMANCE TEST and begin at test step 8.