PACCAR-P1704 serious PACCAR MX ›

DEF Dosing Interrupted - Doser Fault

The PACCAR-P1704 (PACCAR MX) diesel fault code means: DEF Dosing Interrupted - Doser Fault. This is a serious severity code.

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Keep driving?
Short distances only
DIY difficulty
advanced
Estimated cost
$800-$6,000
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Common Symptoms

  • DPF or DEF warning light
  • Engine derate (5 mph, 25% power, then forced shutdown)
  • Excessive DEF consumption or dosing fault
  • Parked regen required
  • High EGT / visible smoke during regen

Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)

  • DPF plugged with soot or ash exceeding service threshold Likely
  • Failed EGT or differential pressure sensor Likely
  • Crystallized or low DEF causing SCR efficiency loss Possible
  • Upstream combustion fault (injector, EGR) preventing proper regen Possible
  • Short-haul duty cycle preventing passive regen Possible

Frequently Asked Questions

What does PACCAR MX code P1704 mean?

PACCAR MX code P1704 (DEF Dosing Interrupted - Doser Fault) is a serious-severity diagnostic trouble code set by the engine or aftertreatment control module on MX-11 and MX-13 engines in Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks. It indicates a fault in the aftertreatment system that should be diagnosed with DAVIE4 or PACCAR ESA.

Can I drive a Kenworth or Peterbilt with PACCAR P1704?

Possibly — short distances may be OK, but ignoring the fault risks progressive damage, regen failure, or derate. Address promptly.

How much does it cost to fix PACCAR MX P1704?

Typical repair runs $800-$6,000. Sensor or wiring repairs are at the low end; injector, DEF pump, DPF, or EGR cooler jobs are at the high end. Dealer-level DAVIE4 software is often required for programming or calibration after parts replacement.

What actually makes the computer set this NOx or SCR code?

California's heavy-duty OBD regulation requires the system to flag a NOx-converting catalyst when its conversion capability drops enough to push NOx emissions more than 0.4 g/bhp-hr above the applicable standard (Title 13 CCR 1971.1, section (e)(6.2.1)) — so on a 0.2 g/bhp-hr engine the trip point is around 0.6. Catalysts in series may be monitored individually or as a group, which is why a code can point at the aftertreatment as a whole rather than at one brick. This threshold comes from the heavy-duty OBD regulation, which covers 2010 and later heavy-duty engines. If your engine is in a pickup at or under 14,000 lb GVWR it is certified under the separate medium-duty rule instead, so treat this as the design intent rather than your engine's exact limit.

Mechanics Guide Step-by-step diagnosis

Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure

  1. Pull freeze frame with DAVIE4 and note EGT readings, soot load, and DEF dosing state at fault.

  2. Inspect aftertreatment plumbing for damaged clamps, exhaust leaks, or wiring damage at sensor connectors.

  3. If soot load over 100%, attempt parked regen. Document temperatures — outlet should exceed 1000 F for 20+ minutes.

  4. Check DEF quality with refractometer; replace if concentration drifts below 30% urea.

  5. If NOx efficiency fault persists after sensors and doser verified, SCR catalyst may need replacement.

Sources 2

This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.

P1704 on Other Platforms

The same code ID appears across other engines, vehicles, and equipment. Diagnostic flow varies by platform — see the matching breakdown:

Commonly Affected Vehicles

  • Kenworth T680 with PACCAR MX-13
  • Kenworth T880 with PACCAR MX-13
  • Kenworth W990 with PACCAR MX-13
  • Peterbilt 579 with PACCAR MX-13
  • Peterbilt 389 with PACCAR MX-13
  • Peterbilt 567 with PACCAR MX-13
  • Kenworth T440 with PACCAR MX-11
  • Kenworth T470 with PACCAR MX-11
  • Peterbilt 520 with PACCAR MX-11

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