Time to replace tire pressure sensors?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 140
Likes: 3
From: Warrington, Pennsylvania
Time to replace tire pressure sensors?
I've had my '01 'vert since it was new, and it now has 54,000 miles on the clock. I recently discovered cracks in both of my polished thin-spoke OEM rear wheels (QF5), and have purchased a set of new C7 Z51-style wheels to replace them. Before I simply have my tires switched over to the new wheels, though, I'm wondering if I should replace the TP sensors with new ones at the same time. They must operate by battery, and at 16 years old, I question how much longer they may function reliably. Any thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,186
Likes: 1,792
From: Stafford Springs CT
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year FinalistAX - Modified
I would. Mine are from '98 and one has stopped working. Not sure how long the others would last. I have another set of wheels that don't have tires yet. I hope to put new sensors on those when I get tires to avoid the others failing and then removing from the car, breaking the bead and doing new ones. Much easier while its already apart.
On another note, I have since picked up another set of wheels with tires and sensors already installed, so the ones I mentioned above will not be done anytime soon.
On another note, I have since picked up another set of wheels with tires and sensors already installed, so the ones I mentioned above will not be done anytime soon.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 140
Likes: 3
From: Warrington, Pennsylvania
BAT may be, but I certainly hope not to! I'm just anxious to get the car back on the road safely. I've been reluctant to drive it since I discovered the cracks. I'll make furniture out of the cracked ones, and sell off the remaining good ones.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,186
Likes: 1,792
From: Stafford Springs CT
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C7 of the Year Winner - Modified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year FinalistAX - Modified
Me? 
I would be hesitant too. Since you have the newer sensors, replacing those shouldn't too bad regarding cost. I believe they can be had for about $30 per sensor? The older style ('97-'00??) are the expensive ones. I could be wrong on the year they switched, so don't quote me.
I would be hesitant too. Since you have the newer sensors, replacing those shouldn't too bad regarding cost. I believe they can be had for about $30 per sensor? The older style ('97-'00??) are the expensive ones. I could be wrong on the year they switched, so don't quote me.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,522
Likes: 24,823
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Yes, I would go ahead and replace the sensors since you are breaking down the tires anyway for the new wheels. And luckily the sensors you need are the less expensive ones.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Pro
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 636
Likes: 60
I would. Mine are from '98 and one has stopped working. Not sure how long the others would last. I have another set of wheels that don't have tires yet. I hope to put new sensors on those when I get tires to avoid the others failing and then removing from the car, breaking the bead and doing new ones. Much easier while its already apart.
On another note, I have since picked up another set of wheels with tires and sensors already installed, so the ones I mentioned above will not be done anytime soon.
On another note, I have since picked up another set of wheels with tires and sensors already installed, so the ones I mentioned above will not be done anytime soon.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,985
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 1,097
From: Pittsburgh PA
You know, this statement is not necessarily true in a number of cases. My sensors are 19 & 17 years old. And the more you hear these sensors last longer than stated. Lots of owners swapped them when they were still working thinking they weren't going to last much longer. Yes there were many that did stop working. I am changing mine shortly with a new set of tires because I may be pushing my luck to go any further. But again who knows for sure because mine are still working almost 20 years later.
Last edited by Fcar 98; Mar 23, 2017 at 06:30 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 140
Likes: 3
From: Warrington, Pennsylvania
Wow! Twenty years has to be something of a record in TPMS circles. I had a Chrysler Pacifica for ten years, and had to replace them twice in that period of time. At sixteen years with the 'Vette, I'm thinking I may be nearing the finish line with the OEM units. I'm not willing to roll the dice any longer, so I will replace them when I have the tires re-mounted onto the new wheels. Thanks to all for your candid (and always constructive) responses.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 53
From: Warrington Pa.
Wow! Twenty years has to be something of a record in TPMS circles. I had a Chrysler Pacifica for ten years, and had to replace them twice in that period of time. At sixteen years with the 'Vette, I'm thinking I may be nearing the finish line with the OEM units. I'm not willing to roll the dice any longer, so I will replace them when I have the tires re-mounted onto the new wheels. Thanks to all for your candid (and always constructive) responses.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 205
From: Sandy OR
For '01 & Newer C5's ----> http://www.trunkmonkeyparts.com/oe-gm/25773946
For '97-'00 C5's ---> http://www.trunkmonkeyparts.com/oe-gm/25981210
For '97-'00 C5's ---> http://www.trunkmonkeyparts.com/oe-gm/25981210
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 78
Likes: 5
From: Howard Oh
97 - 00 tpms
Me?
I would be hesitant too. Since you have the newer sensors, replacing those shouldn't too bad regarding cost. I believe they can be had for about $30 per sensor? The older style ('97-'00??) are the expensive ones. I could be wrong on the year they switched, so don't quote me.
I would be hesitant too. Since you have the newer sensors, replacing those shouldn't too bad regarding cost. I believe they can be had for about $30 per sensor? The older style ('97-'00??) are the expensive ones. I could be wrong on the year they switched, so don't quote me.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 140
Likes: 3
From: Warrington, Pennsylvania
Roger, that! I was able to purchase four new OEM AC/Delco units with sensor stem nuts for $134. I'll mount them in the new wheels before bringing them in to have the tires switched. For that cost, it was not worth worrying about when one of the original sensors was going to fail.