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kurt_tiger3

AdBlue Tank Empty Error

My 2013 Honda Accord diesel is throwing an AdBlue tank empty error. 167802 km on the clock and the engine won't start. Seems like the AdBlue isn't making its way to the dosing unit. Anyone else wrestled with this devilish diesel exhaust fluid debacle? Service light is on, and I'm worried about emission standards. Before I throw parts at it, any thoughts?

Summary of the thread

A 2013 Honda Accord diesel is experiencing an "AdBlue tank empty" error, preventing the engine from starting. The issue seems to be that AdBlue isn't reaching the dosing unit. Possible causes include a faulty sensor in the AdBlue tank or a defective output from the tank to the dosing unit. The suggested solution is to have a professional workshop diagnose and fix the problem, which was confirmed to be a defective output, costing around 250€ to repair.

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4 comment(s)

alfredmoore7

Oh, I feel your pain! I had a similar issue crop up on my 2016 Renault Scenic. Not exactly the same, but the symptoms ring a bell. The 'AdBlue tank empty' message, the refusal to start...it was all incredibly frustrating. For those of you that don't know, AdBlue (also called Diesel Exhaust Fluid) is an important part of modern diesel injection systems; it is injected into the exhaust stream to reduce harmful emissions. In my case, the problem was a faulty sensor in the AdBlue tank. Have you checked the sensor itself? It might be giving a false reading even if there's fluid in the tank, which could be triggering the whole cascade of errors.

kurt_tiger3 (community.author)

Thanks for the quick reply! A faulty sensor, huh? I hadn't considered that specifically. I was leaning towards a pump issue, figuring it was struggling to deliver the fluid, therefore triggering the low-level warnings. Where exactly is this sensor located in the tank? And is there any way to test it, or am I looking at a straight replacement job?

alfredmoore7

Okay, so on my Scenic, the sensor was integrated into the AdBlue tank assembly itself. I'm not 100% sure about the Accord's setup, so take this with a grain of salt. As far as testing goes, I’m not comfortable giving specific guidance, as that could void the warranty. The best advice I can provide is to take your car to a trusted workshop. They'll have the proper diagnostic tools to pinpoint the problem without causing any further damage. It's an annoying expense, I know, but sometimes it's the safest and most cost-effective route in the long run.

kurt_tiger3 (community.author)

Appreciate the input. I think you're right, poking around without the right tools is just asking for trouble. Bit the bullet and took it to my local garage. Turns out it was the Ad-Blue output from the tank to the dosing unit that was defective like I initially suspected. Cost me around 250€ to get it sorted. Thanks again for nudging me in the right direction!

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HONDA

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ACCORD