Checking Tire Sensors
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
Checking Tire Sensors
Is there a way to check the tire pressure sensors out of the wheel?
I read a previous post,but I did see how is done.
I'm buying use ones and want to see if they are in working condition before i install them
I read a previous post,but I did see how is done.
I'm buying use ones and want to see if they are in working condition before i install them
Last edited by Dale002; Jan 30, 2011 at 12:16 AM.
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About the only way I know to test them is to program them out of the wheel and mark them what one is for what wheel.
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I am not sure how you can test them outside tire. The TPM need to be enclosed to get a pressure reading. One way maybe to use a jar and sealable lid with the TPM attached to the lid, then put some air into the jar using a hand pump.
Drifting
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I've seen a couple of examples where people have installed them in PVC pipe with end caps to fake out the monitoring system into seeing the spare sensor. I would think that movement is the only requirement to wake them up, not rotation, since most sensors mounted in spare tires aren't going to rotate.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: St. Paul MN
Oreilly key fob tester
Easy answer - initiate the TPMS retrain in the car, then use a magnet with the TPMS in your hand maybe 15 feet from your car. No air pressure needed. I had a more complicated problem with TPMS testing that proves this will work:
I have a set of 4 unmounted TPMS and 2 fobs from a 2000 C5 that I just tested at Oreilly (for free), since my 2002 C5 will not communicate with pre-01 devices. They have a keyfob tester at the counter with a green activity light. It needs to be 3 inches from the transmitting device, which would make testing a mounted TPMS difficult.
All C5 fobs and TPMS transmit on the same frequency (315 Mhz). I brought a magnet along to Oreilly with my TPMS and fobs to test. I activated their tester, then held the magnet next to the stem as if I was doing a TPMS retrain for the car. About 5 or so seconds later the Oreilly indicator flashed to say it's alive. Worked great for me. This test will let you check any magnet-activated TPMS or keyfobs without unbundling a cozy C5 from its winter nap.
The free Oreilly test doesn't check range or pressure accuracy, but it does check life. There are a number of TPMS tools available which will do all of the above for $300+.
Todd
I have a set of 4 unmounted TPMS and 2 fobs from a 2000 C5 that I just tested at Oreilly (for free), since my 2002 C5 will not communicate with pre-01 devices. They have a keyfob tester at the counter with a green activity light. It needs to be 3 inches from the transmitting device, which would make testing a mounted TPMS difficult.
All C5 fobs and TPMS transmit on the same frequency (315 Mhz). I brought a magnet along to Oreilly with my TPMS and fobs to test. I activated their tester, then held the magnet next to the stem as if I was doing a TPMS retrain for the car. About 5 or so seconds later the Oreilly indicator flashed to say it's alive. Worked great for me. This test will let you check any magnet-activated TPMS or keyfobs without unbundling a cozy C5 from its winter nap.
The free Oreilly test doesn't check range or pressure accuracy, but it does check life. There are a number of TPMS tools available which will do all of the above for $300+.
Todd
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
I'm sure the sensors in my car now are originals,that would make the 12 going on 13 years
Last edited by Dale002; Jan 30, 2011 at 06:33 PM.
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If you run the learn program, you can see if it will program to your car while the sensors are not mounted on a wheel, but you won't know if they will read the pressure until you mount them on a wheel with a tire and drive the car above approximately 15 mph so the pressure will read.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
If you run the learn program, you can see if it will program to your car while the sensors are not mounted on a wheel, but you won't know if they will read the pressure until you mount them on a wheel with a tire and drive the car above approximately 15 mph so the pressure will read.Some said O'rielly has a tester,but there are no O'rielly in my area only Auto Zone and Advanceautoparts. I called them ,but there weren't any body there that knew what i was talking about.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 359
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From: St. Paul MN
The Oreilly tester was part of a key fob (remote door unlocker) battery test & replacement display on the front counter. They sell the various replacement coin cell batteries for your key fob. I just called both Autozone and Advance and they don't have one, sorry. 
Todd
Todd
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
I wished we had Oreilly here,I've lived in Minn, in Pine City and I'm familiarize with them. I'll try the test,the way you explained it on your pm tomorrow.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,479
Likes: 92
From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
Easy answer - initiate the TPMS retrain in the car, then use a magnet with the TPMS in your hand maybe 15 feet from your car. No air pressure needed. I had a more complicated problem with TPMS testing that proves this will work:
I have a set of 4 unmounted TPMS and 2 fobs from a 2000 C5 that I just tested at Oreilly (for free), since my 2002 C5 will not communicate with pre-01 devices. They have a keyfob tester at the counter with a green activity light. It needs to be 3 inches from the transmitting device, which would make testing a mounted TPMS difficult.
All C5 fobs and TPMS transmit on the same frequency (315 Mhz). I brought a magnet along to Oreilly with my TPMS and fobs to test. I activated their tester, then held the magnet next to the stem as if I was doing a TPMS retrain for the car. About 5 or so seconds later the Oreilly indicator flashed to say it's alive. Worked great for me. This test will let you check any magnet-activated TPMS or keyfobs without unbundling a cozy C5 from its winter nap.
The free Oreilly test doesn't check range or pressure accuracy, but it does check life. There are a number of TPMS tools available which will do all of the above for $300+.
Todd
I have a set of 4 unmounted TPMS and 2 fobs from a 2000 C5 that I just tested at Oreilly (for free), since my 2002 C5 will not communicate with pre-01 devices. They have a keyfob tester at the counter with a green activity light. It needs to be 3 inches from the transmitting device, which would make testing a mounted TPMS difficult.
All C5 fobs and TPMS transmit on the same frequency (315 Mhz). I brought a magnet along to Oreilly with my TPMS and fobs to test. I activated their tester, then held the magnet next to the stem as if I was doing a TPMS retrain for the car. About 5 or so seconds later the Oreilly indicator flashed to say it's alive. Worked great for me. This test will let you check any magnet-activated TPMS or keyfobs without unbundling a cozy C5 from its winter nap.
The free Oreilly test doesn't check range or pressure accuracy, but it does check life. There are a number of TPMS tools available which will do all of the above for $300+.
Todd
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 359
Likes: 7
From: St. Paul MN
Sorry for the late reply, and glad to hear it worked for you.
Yes, repeat the retraining for the TPMS in the tires. Just hold the magnet near the rim where the valve stem is. The last 4 you train will be reported and monitored on the DIC, and the former ones forgotten.
Todd
Yes, repeat the retraining for the TPMS in the tires. Just hold the magnet near the rim where the valve stem is. The last 4 you train will be reported and monitored on the DIC, and the former ones forgotten.
Todd
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,479
Likes: 92
From: Between Tally and Gatorville ,Florida
Sorry for the late reply, and glad to hear it worked for you.
Yes, repeat the retraining for the TPMS in the tires. Just hold the magnet near the rim where the valve stem is. The last 4 you train will be reported and monitored on the DIC, and the former ones forgotten.
Todd
Yes, repeat the retraining for the TPMS in the tires. Just hold the magnet near the rim where the valve stem is. The last 4 you train will be reported and monitored on the DIC, and the former ones forgotten.
Todd
