Do I have to Replace my TPMS's
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 920
Likes: 190
From: Stoneham, MA
Do I have to Replace my TPMS's
I am about due for tires on my 1999 Coupe. Aside from what tires I'm buying, do I have to replace my TPMS's???? They work fine. The overall car has 23k on the clock.
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,186
From: Buffalo Texas
and unfortunately they are the pricey ones, I bought the kit from Cultrag (2001 and later)and at the time was I thought pricey but it's nice having new key fobs that work more than 10 feet from the car. of course having the monitoring system working as it should, I am running non-run flats !!!
now the kits are really high
http://www.cultragfactoryparts.com/c...n/?parent=1001
now the kits are really high
http://www.cultragfactoryparts.com/c...n/?parent=1001
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
With you owning a 1999 model you get to buy the pricey ones. There are two types used on C5s and unfortunately the Type 1 TPMS sensors are way more expensive - and cumbersome - than the Type 2.While the TPMS sensors only function when the wheels are in motion (thus in theory a lower mileage car will have used the batteries less) age will be a factor since batteries do have a shelf life of sorts. You can re-use the ones you have now but don't be surprised if a year or two from now one fails and you begin to experience intermittent TPMS issues. Having a failed TPMS swapped out is not a big deal; it's just having to pay for the Type 1s which is a real PITA.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
If original '99 sensors, they are past due for the batteries to fail.
I would definitely replace them. However, due to the higher cost of the early sensors you should consider the upgrade to the later system.
The kits can be pretty expensive as stated above. I did the conversion on mine for a lot less. I sourced a used RFA receiver, Ebay key fobs, and a Rock Auto closeout on Schrader TPMS (They made the OEM ones and are exactly the same except orange plastic instead of black plastic). The only thing I couldn't find a good price on was the connector for the new RFA receiver. On another thread it stated that a computer floppy power connector would work, however, the pin spacing was not quite the same and I didn't want to damage the RFA, so I spent about $20 for a connector.
I am happy with the upgrade to the new system and glad I did it, however you will lose the passive key fob option since the new ones did not use passive.
Good luck.
I would definitely replace them. However, due to the higher cost of the early sensors you should consider the upgrade to the later system.
The kits can be pretty expensive as stated above. I did the conversion on mine for a lot less. I sourced a used RFA receiver, Ebay key fobs, and a Rock Auto closeout on Schrader TPMS (They made the OEM ones and are exactly the same except orange plastic instead of black plastic). The only thing I couldn't find a good price on was the connector for the new RFA receiver. On another thread it stated that a computer floppy power connector would work, however, the pin spacing was not quite the same and I didn't want to damage the RFA, so I spent about $20 for a connector.
I am happy with the upgrade to the new system and glad I did it, however you will lose the passive key fob option since the new ones did not use passive.
Good luck.
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I have a right front that doesn't seal and loses about 2psi a day. If I ever get new wheels, I'll get new sensors.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 365
Likes: 3
From: Northern NJ
Original owner, 2001 Coupe, 29K mikes, 16 years old. Work perfectly! Chevy parts people told me the 2001 or later DO NOT have a shelf life. If working leave alone. Very controversial view from postings on this forum but so far my experience bears their guidance to be accurate. We'll see I guess, but 16 years no issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
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From: Wisconsin
Original owner, 2001 Coupe, 29K mikes, 16 years old. Work perfectly! Chevy parts people told me the 2001 or later DO NOT have a shelf life. If working leave alone. Very controversial view from postings on this forum but so far my experience bears their guidance to be accurate. We'll see I guess, but 16 years no issues.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Conventional wisdom says change them, But mine are 19 years old and still working with 47000 miles. I too bought the 01-04 replacement kit a few years ago and i will replace them next spring when i replace the tires. It is amazing how long they have lasted, when it was widely stated that they had a 10 to 12 year life span. I just left them alone as long as they worked. With this last set of tires being over 6 years old i can't see them going that much longer.
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If it were my car, I would replace the sensors when the tires are put on. Yours may last a few more years, but you never know.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 365
Likes: 3
From: Northern NJ
On battery replacement I found this video. It does indeed look like a PITA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjrT7WBG6U8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2EwlfMV_1Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beFwFonvRL0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1EEkDV8Ono
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjrT7WBG6U8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2EwlfMV_1Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beFwFonvRL0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1EEkDV8Ono
Video is informative for pre 2001. Not applicable to 2001 and later.
Re 2001+ versions, I was told it uses the ABS system, TPMS is magnetic and uses ABS to signal measurements. Told this by Tire Shop that replaced my original tires at 29k miles. Told me leave alone since working fine. Similar explanation was given by Chevy parts guy. I could easliy have replaced them but I'm curious to see if this guidance is accurate. Now at 16+ years and no problem. We'll see????
Tech Contributor
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From: Anthony TX
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I also like what QCVette's recommended. Its getting the TPM system Up-Grade at a very good price.
The newer 2001-2004 system works MUCH better than the early 97-2000 system!
The newer 2001-2004 system works MUCH better than the early 97-2000 system!
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
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From: Buffalo Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
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From: West Virginia
Tirerack has the early TPMS sensors made by Schrader (the OEM supplier to Delco) for $70 a pop. Not bad, as I bought new ones for my '98 (built 7/97) from them in 2012 and they were $68 then.
The OEM sensors were 14+ years old and still functional at the time, but were getting very slow to register, taking maybe 1/2 to one mile. The new ones register within a few hundred yards.
The OEM sensors were 14+ years old and still functional at the time, but were getting very slow to register, taking maybe 1/2 to one mile. The new ones register within a few hundred yards.