TPMS Questions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 158
Likes: 29
TPMS Questions
Had a few TPMS questions for my 96:
1. How do you diagnose the "Service TPMS" light on a 96 Vette?
2. I'm going be putting 17" ZR1 wheels on. Can I transfer the sensors from the 17" sawblade wheels to the new 17" ZR1 wheels?
3. What precautions does the tire/wheel installer need to take in order to not break the sensors? How do these get broken? Only 1 sawblade as the sticker on it indicating the (assumed ) sensor location.
1. How do you diagnose the "Service TPMS" light on a 96 Vette?
2. I'm going be putting 17" ZR1 wheels on. Can I transfer the sensors from the 17" sawblade wheels to the new 17" ZR1 wheels?
3. What precautions does the tire/wheel installer need to take in order to not break the sensors? How do these get broken? Only 1 sawblade as the sticker on it indicating the (assumed ) sensor location.
Last edited by corvette72778; Jun 29, 2020 at 12:40 AM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 500
Likes: 27
Had a few TPMS questions for my 96:
1. How do you diagnose the "Service TPMS" light on a 96 Vette?
2. I'm going be putting 17" ZR1 wheels on. Can I transfer the sensors from the 17" sawblade wheels to the new 17" ZR1 wheels?
3. What precautions does the tire/wheel installer need to take in order to not break the sensors? How do these get broken? Only 1 sawblade as the sticker on it indicating the (assumed ) sensor location.
1. How do you diagnose the "Service TPMS" light on a 96 Vette?
2. I'm going be putting 17" ZR1 wheels on. Can I transfer the sensors from the 17" sawblade wheels to the new 17" ZR1 wheels?
3. What precautions does the tire/wheel installer need to take in order to not break the sensors? How do these get broken? Only 1 sawblade as the sticker on it indicating the (assumed ) sensor location.
2. How old sensor? Batteries don’t last but 5-10 years on average (less it seems nowadays with junk being manufactured overseas)
3.sensor should be at valve stem in most if not all cases. Sensor can get broken by machine misplaced when mounting or unmounting tire. Usually batteries fail
Last edited by Theman5; Jun 29, 2020 at 01:14 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 158
Likes: 29
1. OBDll reader ? Check owners manual ?
2. How old sensor? Batteries don’t last but 5-10 years on average (less it seems nowadays with junk being manufactured overseas)
3.sensor should be at valve stem in most if not all cases. Sensor can get broken by machine misplaced when mounting or unmounting tire. Usually batteries fail
2. How old sensor? Batteries don’t last but 5-10 years on average (less it seems nowadays with junk being manufactured overseas)
3.sensor should be at valve stem in most if not all cases. Sensor can get broken by machine misplaced when mounting or unmounting tire. Usually batteries fail
Pro
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 500
Likes: 27
C4: The C4 system uses a transmitting wheel sensor held in place by large band clamp. Each sensor has a separate identification color and frequency, which is transmitted as the wheel turns. If a sensor gets mounted to the wrong wheel, a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) will be sent. Wheel position, sensor colors and Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) are as follows:
- Right Rear: Orange, DTC=24
- Left Rear: Yellow, DTC=34
- Left Front: Green, DTC=44
- Right Front: Blue, DTC= 54
The movement of the wheel provides the energy necessary to power the transmitter. If the tire pressure drops below 25 PSI, the sensor stops transmitting to the receiver, and the “Service LTPWS” lamp illuminates. The sensors don’t require batteries, and the receivers don’t need to be reprogrammed. (source: VetteWeb, Corvette Fever)
Last edited by Theman5; Jun 29, 2020 at 01:35 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 399
From: Tacoma WA
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
There is a very little bit of adjustment on the band that MAY allow you to transfer the sensors to your new wheels so you should be OK on that issue since you are using a stock wheel.
The sensors are mounted directly opposite the valve stem hence the label being at 90 degrees from the stem from the factory. The installer needs to be very careful, especially when breaking the bead to get the tire off. The plastic housing is brittle but not overly so, however that is what is usually broken. Stand next to them as they work on the wheels. If they will not let you do that either get a written guarantee that they will pay for a new one regardless of cost or find a different installer.
Light will be illuminated every time you start the car and remain on until you drive a quarter of a mile or so. They are self generating for power. If the light does not go out after that time there is a problem with one or more of the sensors. Sensors have often been removed by owners due to damage. If the light remains on there will be a code set telling you which sensor has an issue.
Ask if you need more information.
The sensors are mounted directly opposite the valve stem hence the label being at 90 degrees from the stem from the factory. The installer needs to be very careful, especially when breaking the bead to get the tire off. The plastic housing is brittle but not overly so, however that is what is usually broken. Stand next to them as they work on the wheels. If they will not let you do that either get a written guarantee that they will pay for a new one regardless of cost or find a different installer.
Light will be illuminated every time you start the car and remain on until you drive a quarter of a mile or so. They are self generating for power. If the light does not go out after that time there is a problem with one or more of the sensors. Sensors have often been removed by owners due to damage. If the light remains on there will be a code set telling you which sensor has an issue.
Ask if you need more information.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 158
Likes: 29
There is a very little bit of adjustment on the band that MAY allow you to transfer the sensors to your new wheels so you should be OK on that issue since you are using a stock wheel.
The sensors are mounted directly opposite the valve stem hence the label being at 90 degrees from the stem from the factory. The installer needs to be very careful, especially when breaking the bead to get the tire off. The plastic housing is brittle but not overly so, however that is what is usually broken. Stand next to them as they work on the wheels. If they will not let you do that either get a written guarantee that they will pay for a new one regardless of cost or find a different installer.
Light will be illuminated every time you start the car and remain on until you drive a quarter of a mile or so. They are self generating for power. If the light does not go out after that time there is a problem with one or more of the sensors. Sensors have often been removed by owners due to damage. If the light remains on there will be a code set telling you which sensor has an issue.
Ask if you need more information.
The sensors are mounted directly opposite the valve stem hence the label being at 90 degrees from the stem from the factory. The installer needs to be very careful, especially when breaking the bead to get the tire off. The plastic housing is brittle but not overly so, however that is what is usually broken. Stand next to them as they work on the wheels. If they will not let you do that either get a written guarantee that they will pay for a new one regardless of cost or find a different installer.
Light will be illuminated every time you start the car and remain on until you drive a quarter of a mile or so. They are self generating for power. If the light does not go out after that time there is a problem with one or more of the sensors. Sensors have often been removed by owners due to damage. If the light remains on there will be a code set telling you which sensor has an issue.
Ask if you need more information.
How can I check to determine which sensor may be bad? I don't mind buying a used one on Ebay to try to fix it.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 399
From: Tacoma WA
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I am not sure if you know how to check the codes in your car but it is well documented in posts on this forum.
Once you know the codes that are set, the following tells you what is going on with each sensor.
Each sensor is colored differently and will set a different code with Orange (RR) setting 23 or 24, Yellow (LR) setting 33 or 34, Green (LF) setting 43 or 44, and the Blue sensor (RF) setting 53 or 54. This was done so techs could tell which sensor was malfunctioning if actual tire pressure was not an issue.
However this is only true if the wheels and sensors were put back in their original location after and service work was completed. If out of their original position you will know the sensor with an issue but not which tire it is under.
Once you know the codes that are set, the following tells you what is going on with each sensor.
Each sensor is colored differently and will set a different code with Orange (RR) setting 23 or 24, Yellow (LR) setting 33 or 34, Green (LF) setting 43 or 44, and the Blue sensor (RF) setting 53 or 54. This was done so techs could tell which sensor was malfunctioning if actual tire pressure was not an issue.
However this is only true if the wheels and sensors were put back in their original location after and service work was completed. If out of their original position you will know the sensor with an issue but not which tire it is under.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 229
From: Michigan
Had a few TPMS questions for my 96:
1. How do you diagnose the "Service TPMS" light on a 96 Vette?
2. I'm going be putting 17" ZR1 wheels on. Can I transfer the sensors from the 17" sawblade wheels to the new 17" ZR1 wheels?
3. What precautions does the tire/wheel installer need to take in order to not break the sensors? How do these get broken? Only 1 sawblade as the sticker on it indicating the (assumed ) sensor location.
1. How do you diagnose the "Service TPMS" light on a 96 Vette?
2. I'm going be putting 17" ZR1 wheels on. Can I transfer the sensors from the 17" sawblade wheels to the new 17" ZR1 wheels?
3. What precautions does the tire/wheel installer need to take in order to not break the sensors? How do these get broken? Only 1 sawblade as the sticker on it indicating the (assumed ) sensor location.
2. When I got my car it had C5 chrome 5 spokes on it, with funtioning TPS. They went right back on the A-Molds I have. Should be no issue with the same diameter
3. This type of system was not all that rare some time ago. You just need a shop that knows what they are doing and will take their time and do it correctly. Make sure they know what is in there if their system doesn't already. I swapped wheels with zero issues.
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