C5 TPMS Battery life.....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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C5 TPMS Battery life.....
Hi guys. Don't know exactly where to post this, so I'll start here. Bought my 2000 C5 in July, 2003, just off a lease program (someone else leased it) with 24,000 miles on it. It was in storage almost 11 years, from 2006 to 2017, always on a 2 post lift. Anyway, the purpose of my post is to try to save money for those who have older C5s, say '97-2000. Before assuming your batteries are old/dead, and you need new sensors (which are pricey on early C5s), it may be another problem. Why? Well, even though my car will be 20 years old when the 2020 models come out, I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL BATTERIES in my TPMS sensors, and they work fine!!! So, you may want to have them checked before replacing them. Because either I've been very lucky, or the 11 years in storage added to battery life. Anyone else had this much TPMS battery life? Thanks guys.....
Last edited by grinder11; Jan 31, 2019 at 04:06 PM. Reason: Spelling
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 355
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Remember that they're not "working" if the car isn't moving, so couple that with natural deterioration of battery life there's very high chances lower mileage cars will have original TPMS sensors working but effectively they're ticking time bombs. You can't really gauge the battery's life in this manner due to all of these factors. When I purchased my '99 it was living on original sensors that were at the time roughly thirteen years old but one died off within a little over two years (I haven't bothered replacing it yet). The other three are still original.
Some people have actually disassembled the older style and replaced the batteries - there's a guide here on the forum how-to - but it's a crap shoot of sort in that you have to be careful to not only avoid damaging the TPMS but also assemble it correctly and then hope it can send a reading to the RF receiver properly.
Some people have actually disassembled the older style and replaced the batteries - there's a guide here on the forum how-to - but it's a crap shoot of sort in that you have to be careful to not only avoid damaging the TPMS but also assemble it correctly and then hope it can send a reading to the RF receiver properly.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Lithium batteries last a very long time in storage (typically said to last a decade). However, the price of the sensors now is so cheap I wouldn't consider leaving them in if they're original. Removing and reinstalling tires for a sensor wouldn't be worth it to me. Furthermore, if they're originals, you can buy new batteries for em and install them. Cost about $15 from Newark Electronics as I recall. Once installed, you can sell the OEM ones for as much or more than the new ones cost. I know because I did just that with mine on Ebay. Got the same price for the OEMs w/new batteries that I paid for the replacements. Obviously, using the same sensors in your own car isn't feasible unless you're willing to wait a week to reinstall your tires. 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Had my water meter replaced a few days ago. the meter can be read by a slow moving car in the street 50 meters from the sending unit.. I asked the installer about the power source since it did not connect to any power in my house.. The field tech said these new sending units have a lithium battery that lasts 20 years. he said the old senders last 10 years. Seems to me that Battery technology has exploded exponentially , since the advent of electric cars.
Gotta love technology.
Bill aka ET
TPSM last on average between 8 years and ten, however some people have expressed much longer functionality.15+.years
Gotta love technology.
Bill aka ET
TPSM last on average between 8 years and ten, however some people have expressed much longer functionality.15+.years
No Hostility Be Happy
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From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Per the date codes on my sensors they are originals from 1997. They all still work.
When they do finally die I think I'm going to try the aftermarket ones even though they're harder to pair. I'm a very mechanically inclined person and I have no desire to eff around with changing the batteries in the originals. I commend those that do take the time to do it though.
When they do finally die I think I'm going to try the aftermarket ones even though they're harder to pair. I'm a very mechanically inclined person and I have no desire to eff around with changing the batteries in the originals. I commend those that do take the time to do it though.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,280
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Hi guys. Don't know exactly where to post this, so I'll start here. Bought my 2000 C5 in July, 2003, just off a lease program (someone else leased it) with 24,000 miles on it. It was in storage almost 11 years, from 2006 to 2017, always on a 2 post lift. Anyway, the purpose of my post is to try to save money for those who have older C5s, say '97-2000. Before assuming your batteries are old/dead, and you need new sensors (which are pricey on early C5s), it may be another problem. Why? Well, even though my car will be 20 years old when the 2020 models come out, I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL BATTERIES in my TPMS sensors, and they work fine!!! So, you may want to have them checked before replacing them. Because either I've been very lucky, or the 11 years in storage added to battery life. Anyone else had this much TPMS battery life? Thanks guys.....
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
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From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Per the date codes on my sensors they are originals from 1997. They all still work.
When they do finally die I think I'm going to try the aftermarket ones even though they're harder to pair. I'm a very mechanically inclined person and I have no desire to eff around with changing the batteries in the originals. I commend those that do take the time to do it though.
When they do finally die I think I'm going to try the aftermarket ones even though they're harder to pair. I'm a very mechanically inclined person and I have no desire to eff around with changing the batteries in the originals. I commend those that do take the time to do it though.
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
K-Spaz, what brand did you go with? The ITMs? I need the older style as well. IIRC they can't be paired with a magnet. Has to be done with a rapid pressure drop on all 4 corners.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
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From: West Virginia
All the factory TPMS sensors are paired using a magnet. They were made by Schrader. Last time I looked, Tire Rack had both types of C5 sensors in stock. Lowes sells a cheap magnet set which will do the job, BTW.
A good generic life estimate is about 12-15 years. I switched my originals on my '98 out at about 15 years (new wheels,tires and sensors from the Rack) and the only thing I noticed was that the new ones registered much quicker than the old ones on start up.
A good generic life estimate is about 12-15 years. I switched my originals on my '98 out at about 15 years (new wheels,tires and sensors from the Rack) and the only thing I noticed was that the new ones registered much quicker than the old ones on start up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
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From: Knoxville Tn
FWIW, the early sensors are not cheap.
However, many have figured out a way open them (on the bench) and replace the batteries.
They are epoxied in, but they can be removed.
I'm sure with a search here, there is a thread on the 'how to' procedure.
However, many have figured out a way open them (on the bench) and replace the batteries.
They are epoxied in, but they can be removed.
I'm sure with a search here, there is a thread on the 'how to' procedure.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
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From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Phanni, I did the dig-out and epoxy-back-in with the early sensors for my 98. Wasn't a bad job, just had to be careful. Mostly I did it for the experience to say I did, but I guess in the end I got $100/hr to do it, too.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 477
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From: Leland NC
Tell me more
FCar98-
i need new TPMS for my 98.
Which brand did you buy?
Thanks
QUOTE=Fcar 98;1598799257]
My 98 was almost 20 years old when I replaced the whole system. The original sensors were still working. I replaced the 97 to 00 system with the 01 to 04. Everything is cheaper to replace and the fobs are easier to come by. Everything works great.[/QUOTE]
i need new TPMS for my 98.
Which brand did you buy?
Thanks
QUOTE=Fcar 98;1598799257]
My 98 was almost 20 years old when I replaced the whole system. The original sensors were still working. I replaced the 97 to 00 system with the 01 to 04. Everything is cheaper to replace and the fobs are easier to come by. Everything works great.
Last edited by JimHarris4; Feb 3, 2019 at 08:22 PM. Reason: Clarity