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Tire Pressure Sensor

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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 08:57 AM
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Default Tire Pressure Sensor

I bought a 99 last year with reproduction chrome Z06 rims and am going to replace the rims and tires.....the existing TPS all work.

Could these be the original TPS units? Hard to believe as they would be 13 years old. Is there a way to determine the age of the pressure sensor or is there a method to test for battery state of charge??

What is the average life span - 7-9 years??
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 09:28 AM
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They could still be the originals. I have heard that 7 years is the average battery life, but some last much longer than that.

I have a 2000(same color combo as yours) and in 2010 I upgraded from the 97-00 TPMS to 01-04 TPMS.

Before doing so I attempted to change the batteries in my original TPMS. They were the original batteries, but had been working fine. I just figured they were old and since I was installing new tires, I would change the batteries. I took the batteries out of 2 of the original TPMS and they tested at almost the same voltage as the new ones I purchased to replace them. I damaged one of the TPMS trying to install the new batteries and that is when I decided to upgrade to the newer style TPMS.

I don't recall if there was any date code on the original TPMS. It would be obvious by looking at them if someone had previously replaced just the batteries.

If you plan to keep the car long term you may want to consider "upgrading" to the 01-04 TPMS and Key Fobs. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...aded-tpms.html

This appears to be a good deal on the parts needed for the conversion: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...house-com.html
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by joelk
They could still be the originals. I have heard that 7 years is the average battery life, but some last much longer than that.

I have a 2000(same color combo as yours) and in 2010 I upgraded from the 97-00 TPMS to 01-04 TPMS.

Before doing so I attempted to change the batteries in my original TPMS. They were the original batteries, but had been working fine. I just figured they were old and since I was installing new tires, I would change the batteries. I took the batteries out of 2 of the original TPMS and they tested at almost the same voltage as the new ones I purchased to replace them. I damaged one of the TPMS trying to install the new batteries and that is when I decided to upgrade to the newer style TPMS.


I don't recall if there was any date code on the original TPMS. It would be obvious by looking at them if someone had previously replaced just the batteries.

If you plan to keep the car long term you may want to consider "upgrading" to the 01-04 TPMS and Key Fobs. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...aded-tpms.html

This appears to be a good deal on the parts needed for the conversion: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...house-com.html
Thanks, I was aware of the conversion kit, but the cost of 4 new sensors from tire rack is actually cheaper ($300) and my FOB's are spanking new (don't ask).

I would just hate to mount new rubber to new rims with old sensors only to have to break em open next year to replace....with my luck the tire guys would frack up the rims.
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 11:32 AM
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Now would certainly be the time for new sensors. I'd do it now with the new rubber.
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 03:18 PM
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The original sensors in my 99 Vette are still working fine.
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by my6thvette
The original sensors in my 99 Vette are still working fine.
I hear you brother....I hate to fix what ain't broke.

I'm having trouble with decision to move (potentially) 12 year old sensor over to new wheels.....how long can they hold out? I clearly am also having trouble with dropping another 3 bills on new ones
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by kennyk69
I hear you brother....I hate to fix what ain't broke.

I'm having trouble with decision to move (potentially) 12 year old sensor over to new wheels.....how long can they hold out? I clearly am also having trouble with dropping another 3 bills on new ones
They might last another 3 years or another 3 hours there's just no telling.
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 05:37 PM
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Follow the do it yourself process. I just did mine because i got new wheels, and only 1 sensor was working. I paid about $30 for the 4 batteries shipped, and another $5 on the silicon. It sure does beat having to pay for new sensors. It took me about 1.5hr of picking at the putty to remove it from arouns the battery and a sore palm haha.
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 07:13 PM
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I just replaced the batteries in mine. Out of the 4 new batteries, I bought, 2 of them did not have the correct voltage. And I would not use them. Mine were built 8-98, in my 99 with 141,000 miles. Mine all had around 3 volts, new they should measure at least 3.3 or 3.4 volts. After I replaced the batteries, and had my new tires installed,1 sensor would not read air pressure, so I had to replace it. Myself, I would not go through replacing the batteries again. I'd just buy new sensors and be done. Tire rack had them for 68.00 dollars each. You may not have to replace the nuts, but you will have to replace the O-rings. They are #9 for the older sensors. If you decide to replace the batteries make sure you check the voltage of the new batteries before you solder them in, I had to do 2 of mine twice. Yea, I had a blister in my palm too, didn't realize it till I was about done.
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 07:15 PM
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I did not have very good luck trying to replace the batteries, but others have reported a higher sucess rate, so no harm in trying. If you mess one, or more, of them up, you can just replace it/them.
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Old Feb 20, 2012 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by jrose7004
Now would certainly be the time for new sensors. I'd do it now with the new rubber.
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 12:53 AM
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Originally Posted by kennyk69
Could these be the original TPS units? Hard to believe as they would be 13 years old. Is there a way to determine the age of the pressure sensor
Yes, they could be the original ones still in the wheels. As for determining the age of the ones you have, here is some info posted here on the forum:

On the backside of the sensor you should see a little clock molded in. The pointer on the clock points to the month. i.e., 8 = August. On the left and right side of the pointer you should see a number - that is the year.
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 07:57 AM
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Originally Posted by 92GA
I just replaced the batteries in mine. Out of the 4 new batteries, I bought, 2 of them did not have the correct voltage. And I would not use them. Mine were built 8-98, in my 99 with 141,000 miles. Mine all had around 3 volts, new they should measure at least 3.3 or 3.4 volts. After I replaced the batteries, and had my new tires installed,1 sensor would not read air pressure, so I had to replace it. Myself, I would not go through replacing the batteries again. I'd just buy new sensors and be done. Tire rack had them for 68.00 dollars each. You may not have to replace the nuts, but you will have to replace the O-rings. They are #9 for the older sensors. If you decide to replace the batteries make sure you check the voltage of the new batteries before you solder them in, I had to do 2 of mine twice. Yea, I had a blister in my palm too, didn't realize it till I was about done.
Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
Yes, they could be the original ones still in the wheels. As for determining the age of the ones you have, here is some info posted here on the forum:

On the backside of the sensor you should see a little clock molded in. The pointer on the clock points to the month. i.e., 8 = August. On the left and right side of the pointer you should see a number - that is the year.
The o ring size is good to know, and the age code is exactly what I was looking for. Thank guys!
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 01:52 PM
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You can get in touch with 70Survivor as he rebuilds the older style sensors.
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