Voyager Diesel DPF Failure: Black Smoke and Warning Alerts

Working as a mechanic diagnosed a similar issue on my 2013 Grand Cherokee diesel with 70000km. The symptoms matched exactly, black smoke, emission warnings, and failed DPF regeneration cycles. The exhaust back pressure sensor was indeed defective, causing incorrect readings to the engine control unit. This prevented proper exhaust system function and DPF regeneration. The sensor malfunction made the engine think the back pressure was too high, leading to poor engine performance and excessive smoke. The repair required: Complete diagnostic testing of the exhaust system, Removing and replacing the faulty pressure sensor, Clearing all stored fault codes, Performing a forced DPF regeneration, Testing the system under load This was a serious issue that needed immediate attention. Delayed repair could have led to complete DPF failure and potential engine damage. After fixing the sensor, the engine performance returned to normal, smoke disappeared, and the DPF started regenerating properly. Based on symptoms described, strongly recommend having the back pressure sensor checked by a certified shop. Regular car maintenance helps prevent these issues, but sensor failures can occur regardless of service history.

Thanks for sharing that detailed solution. Glad to hear you got it fixed. Currently dealing with almost identical symptoms on my Chrysler, the black smoke and emission control warnings started last week. The vehicle diagnostics also showed similar readings, so will get the exhaust system inspected based on your experience. My exhaust pressure sensor is likely the culprit too. Mind sharing what the total repair cost was in your case? Also wondering if youve had any recurring issues since the fix? Want to make sure I budget correctly and know what to expect at the shop.

Thanks for asking about the follow-up. After getting the repair done, I can confirm the exhaust back pressure sensor malfunction was completely resolved. The total cost came to 245€ for the pressure sensor replacement and associated vehicle diagnostics work. The car maintenance performed fixed all issues, no more black smoke, warning lights cleared up, and the exhaust system is working perfectly. The DPF regeneration cycles are now happening normally as they should. Its been over 6 months since the repair and Ive had zero recurring problems. The engine runs smoothly, and the previous symptoms havent returned at all. Getting this fixed promptly was definitely worth it to prevent potential damage to other exhaust system components. For budgeting purposes, that 245€ included: New pressure sensor, Installation labor, System diagnostics, Clearing fault codes, Post-repair testing Hope this helps with your repair planning. Getting it addressed quickly will help avoid more expensive issues down the road.

I took my car to the shop last week after seeing the helpful advice here. The mechanic confirmed the exhaust pressure sensor was faulty, just as suspected. The auto repair went smoothly and took about 3 hours total. The final cost came to 260€, slightly more than expected but worth every cent. The engine performance improved immediately after the fix. No more black smoke during acceleration and the exhaust system is working perfectly now. The mechanic also did a thorough check of related components while the car was in. They found no additional issues, which was reassuring. The warning lights are gone and the DPF is regenerating normally again. Really grateful for the guidance here, it helped me approach the repair shop with more knowledge about the problem. Having a clear idea of what needed fixing made the whole experience much better than my previous repairs. Will keep monitoring the engine performance over the next few weeks, but so far everything is running exactly as it should. Thanks again for helping diagnose this issue correctly.