Hi,

I'll keep this short. About 20 months ago, I had a new set of tires installed along with Schrader TPMS sensors. When I picked up the car, the shop told me they couldn't activate the TPMS sensors using the supplied magnet—they kept getting an error on their scanner. That was the extent of the explanation.

Since then, I've tried at least a dozen times to activate them myself, following threads from various forums and advice from ChatGPT. Interestingly, ChatGPT suggested I needed a TPMS scanner to activate the sensors. I was confused—did I need one?

Fast forward to Friday: I ordered an inexpensive TPMS-capable scanner from Amazon (see below). I followed the relearn procedure, and although the scanner said "Failed" after each step, something odd happened—the car responded.

First, it triggered the horn, then the DIC (Driver Information Center) prompted me to move to the right front tire. The horn honked again, even though the tool still showed "Failed." The DIC then instructed me to go to the right rear tire. Same thing—the tool said "Failed," but the horn honked, and I followed the prompts to the left rear tire. Another horn honk, another "Failed" from the tool.

But here's the kicker: despite all the "failures," all four tires are now showing up on the DIC and communicating correctly. No magnet was needed.

Thank,
Lee

Autel MaxiTPMS TS501 PRO TPMS Programming Tool, Same as TS508, 2025 TPMS Relearn Tool Newer of TS501 TS408S, Activate Relearn 99% Sensors, Program Autel MX-Sensors [315/433MHz], TPMS Reset/Diagnosis

 

Why didn't you just post the link to the amazon listing?
I had the new Schrader sensors installed in my car when they mounted and balanced the new tires/wheels.
They are programmable sensors, they do not activate by magnet.
They programmed mine, but I need to take my car back and get them synced to the car, car was not on hand when I picked the tires/wheels up.
That scan tool is EXPENSIVE!!!

 

Good to know

 

Hi,
It was yesterday. It was $186 on Friday, today $175 ish. My logic was that the TPMS sensor, which used older technology, required the OEM valves to be installed. How was I to know that the new TPMS was compatible with the '03 computer? Now I /We know.
Thx

 

Same issue a few years ago, there are quite a few threads about it. Some of the newer sensors need the RF stimulus to register, the magnet just won't trip them. 9 dollar tool off Amazon works great-

 

Thanks, I will return this and pick up a decent scanner for both my cars. Lesson learned, and thank goodness for Amazon returns

 

But, those new Schrader TPMS sensors have to be programmed for the car before they can be paired with that tool.
My tire guy used a Schrader TPMS scan tool to program the sensors for my car, they came unprogrammed, entered the year, make and model to program them.

 

Hi,
I did follow the steps year, make, model, etc. All are working 24 hours later. At the very least, I now understand the "new" process and know what to do.
Thx

 

you bought Schrader EZ sensors which are multi freq capable and they HAVE to be programmed as they can work for numerous vehicles. If you buy Schrader OEM ones, no need to program as they are set for the correct freq. All I had to do was use the tool as the magnet wouldn't work. I provided the TPMS sensors/valve stems to my guy who does my tire mounts. Tried the magnet multiple times and no go, then I bought the tool from Amazon. I didn't need an active scanner, just the trigger tool and had mine relearned to the car in 3 minutes, as I bought OEM ones already set to the correct freq.

OER vs EZ Sell Sheet 052020.pdf

 

Interesting fact I did not know! off the Schrader website:

Schrader has integrated over 700 million direct-fit sensors on global vehicle platforms since launching TPMS on the first production vehicles in 1997 (Chevrolet® C5 Corvette and Plymouth Prowler platforms).