Another question about the tire pressure sensors. I understand that they have a working life of 5 - 7 years. The question ....is the battery activated only when the car is moving, or are the sensors sending continuous signals even at rest on the GM parts shelf? The reason for the question is if I buy "new" from GM could they already be old according to the battery life? If the sensor battery is only consumed when the car is moving then I would take a chance on buying new from GM parts direct...otherwise I will replace the batteries on the existing sensors from a vendor mentioned on this site...for about half the price of new sensors. The one advantage of buying new, if the battery life is not an issue, is to have the sensors with me when the tires are being serviced. Otherwise there will be at least 2 trips to Goodyear plus the several day delay while the batteries are being replaced. I would appreciate a reply to the question on the battery concern. 2000 triple black.

 

Not totally sure .A post to a past thread thought only when in motion. I was hooking a battery tender and loosened a battery post by mistake only .I thought wow lost all memory .The only thing I lost was the tire pressure .That would indicate to me they are not working at rest .I started and moved the car about three feet and the pressure was back on three tires .Thats as far as I went .I would be satisfied that they don't work at rest.

 

Here's an option for you.....rebuilt sensors! That way you know the batteries are new when they are installed and they're cheaper than new ones from the dealer.

http://www.nericreations.com/

The only limitation is that Nericreations only works on the first generation TPS('97 - '00), and the later generation TPS ('01 - '04) is not interchangeable with the early ones.

 

I think I read somewhere that the battery only works when the car is in motion. Maybe Patches has an answer.

 

It's kind of like a flashlight, battery usage only when operating. But like any battery, shelf life is a factor. Your local GM dealer may be able to tell manufacture date

 

I would think that the age of the battery is a factor whether its on the car or on the shelf!

 

I've seen conflicting post on the ability to change batteries in the sensors. Can the batteries be replaced?

 

The sensors are sealed. When the car moves the sensor will send a signal to the computer in different intervals. A steady signal would drain the battery quick. I have a 98, and have replaced one sensor so far, at 40K miles.
I have heard that someone on the forum can cut open the old sensors and replace the battery.

Good Luck

 

 

I am also curious about this. I just sent Neri Creations an email about this. I know they recondition sensors that you ship them but I asked them if they also sell new sensors. And is there a way to tell how old the sensors are since they could sit on the shelf for a few years before they ship out to someone. I will post their reply we I get it.

 

MDLIFE,
This should help you with your decision to buy new sensors (see above in red) I know it has made up my mind. I emailed Gene Culley (Parts Manager at Fred Beans) on this subject:

Gene I am interested in a set of tire pressure sensors (97-00). I saw
your add on the forum. Is there any way to tell if the sensors are new and don't have much shelf life. Thanks, Tim

His reply:

Hi Tim,

That kit is 326.90 + 15.50 shipping. (this is the current special posted here on the forum) GM does not have parts, especially these sensors, lying around long enough to even have a shelf life.

Gene

My response:

Thanks Gene,

With your permission I would like to post your reply on the Corvette forum. This question comes up quite a bit and it might help a lot of guys that are on the fence about buying a new set of Sensors. If you don't want me to that is fine, I will understand.

Thanks,
Tim

Gene's response:

Sure, you may. With some parts for older vehicles, such as seat cushions or something they might ly around once in a while. With these sensors as being as popular as they are they are having a hard enough time keeping stock let alone them lying around.

Parts Manager
Fred Beans Pontiac Buick GMC of Limerick
40 Auto Park Blvd
Limerick, Pa 19468
610.495.1700

Thanks again to Gene, and I hope this is useful to everyone.

Tim (Target Chaser)

 

Confused to some degree....

Terms of sensors. Actually aren't they transmistters (in the wheels), and where ever the receivers are the 'sensors' - BTW - where are they - that is - the receiver that picks up each tires pressure?

Also a bit confused and years 97-00 and 01-04 differences. Not asking for explanation per se, just a previous link that covers this.

I have a 99 MN6 with Magnesium Wheels and want to put on the OEM Stock 5 spoke 01-04 polished/chrome wheels, but really want to keep the ability to monitor tire pressure. Can this be done?

 

I just exhanged a TPS with NeriCreations.com. If you pay $120 plus $6.00 shipping via USPS ($55 for a reconditioned TPS + $65 core), Neri will send you a recondioned TPS. I got mine 3 days after he received payment via PayPal. When he receives you old TPS, your $65 is refunded. This way it's only one trip to the Tire Store.

The born-on date for a TPS is stamped into its body. Neri's reconditioned TPS has no refurbished date, so I marked it with a date.

Neri can only do 97-00 TPS' at this time.

Regarding going to GY to have the TPS removed/installed...I tried that but left without having them do it. They were going to charge me $49.99 to remove the tire from the wheel (an unnecessary requirement), and $13.99 to "install" the TPS, then $29.99 for balancing the tire!

I headed down the street to an old fashioned gas station that still has mechanics. I tipped the mechanic $10.00 and told him what to do: 1. Mark the sidewall where the valve stem is located so he can line it up again without the need to rebalance the tire. 2. Remove the value stem/TPS nut from the outside of the wheel after letting the air out. 3. Let the TPS drop inside the tire. 4. Carefully break the sidewall away from the wheel on the pneumatic tire changer. 5. Retrieve the old TPS and install the new TPS. 6. Inflate the tire.

The job took 10 minutes and cost $13.00, plus tip. When I got home, I retrained the TPS.

coast7

 

They sense the tire pressure and transmit it to the receiver which is right by the gas cap.

They made two changes, one was the physical size of the newer sensors is smaller than the older ones, and they also changed something in the way they interact with the receiver (either frequency or protocol I suspect) which makes the new and old systems incompatible

Yup, you can mount the older style sensors in the newer style wheels

 

Not sure of the model year break point (I think 97-01 and 02-04), but the sensors and system operate differently.
Older sensors and system had the sensors actually shut down after a period of non-movement and no signals were sent. On the newer system, the sensors go into a shutdown mode, but still transmit a signal every hour, until movement is sensed, then they go totally active, constantly sending a signal.
This info is from the service manual, and I confirmed this on my '03, by allowing the vehicle to sit for three hours, checking the pressure reading, then inflating the tires to 36 psi, and waiting. Within 45 minutes, without starting or moving the vehicle, the system indicated the new air pressure readings in the tires.

 

97-00 and 01-04 are the two style sensors used.

There is a motion sensor in them. If you have a sensor laying around, shake it, you'll hear a rattle, this is the motion sensor.

The sensors update (transmit) approx once a minute when in motion (>20mph), once an hour when sitting idle (to preserve the battery life).

At no time do the sensors transmit a continuous "live stream". If you've ever added air to a tire, then drove off, you''ll find they sometimes won't update the new reading until you're a mile or two down the road.

The receiver for these sensors is located in the left rear 1/4 panel of the car, and is the receiver for the keyfob transmittiers as well.

 

Here's some real data (albiet limited) on TPS battery life. My daily driver C5 was born on 11/24/97. Its first (and only, so far) TPS failed approx 10/04 at 66K miles. The date stamp on the TPS was 9/97. That's about 8 years of service...not too shabby!

coast7