PA23 pilot reports being informed by N90 Controller that he has climbed to 2000 ft early on the TEB 5 departure and is instructed to return to 1500 ft. Reporter believes that he climbed appropriately at TEB 4.5 DME.

Narrative

I was cleared for departure from the Teterboro NJ Airport via the TEB 5 departure off of Runway 24. The TEB 5 departure states: Fly runway heading to 1500 ft MSL; turn to a heading of 280 degrees; Maintain 1500 ft MSL until 4.5 DME from TEB VOR and then climb and maintain 2000 ft MSL. This was a single pilot operation. The weather at the time of departure was 5 miles visibility light rain and ceiling of 1300 ft broken and 1900 ft broken; winds were 300 at 18 knots gusting. At approximately XA30 I departed the airport and followed the TEB 5 departure procedure: I climbed on runway heading until 1500 ft MSL and turned right to a heading 280 degrees while leveling off at 1500 ft MSL. I waited until 4.5 DME from TEB and then continued my climb to 2000 ft MSL. According to the controller I was not yet at 4.5 DME and was told to return to 1500 ft MSL on a heading of 310 degrees. I am not aware of any traffic conflict. I was told however that the controller was going to look at the 'tapes' and there may be a possible 'pilot deviation.' If in the event that I was in error; it was inadvertent and I will pay closer attention to the standard instrument departure procedures for all airports.