Tire pressure sensor question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,295
Likes: 4
From: Downers Grove IL
St. Jude Donor '15
Tire pressure sensor question
My tire pressure sensors have read 30 psi all summer long. Yesterday, the DIC gave me a chime and warning about both front wheels being low (reading was 25 psi.) All wheels were reading 5 psi low. Checked them at home and they were all 30 psi. Is this a sign of the batteries going bad in the sensors? They are eight years old (car was built in Sept '97.) Yesterday was the first day in the 40's for this car (since I've owned it.)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Don't know but mine are doing exactly the same thing....2000 with 21,500 mi. I suspect battery sensors are probably headed south.......
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley CA.
Originally Posted by mrm1149
I suspect battery sensors are probably headed south.......
I just took shipment of some new wheels (BBS LM's ,just like yours mrm1149) and will be doing the "tire change drill" in a couple weeks.
Are we referring to batteries that go inside of the tire pressure sensors? If so, perhaps I had better change these out while I have the tires and wheels apart for the new rims??
Thanks....
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
First of all, if you haven't adjusted the pressure in your tires for a while, and your temp was in the 40's, the sensors may be correct. Tires lose about 1 psi for every 10 deg F drop in temp. After driving a while, when you got back home, the tires had heated enough to read 30 psi. Check them cold (after sitting for several hours) preferably during late morning to get an average of daily low and high temps. Set them to 30 psi or your prefered pressure (if you use a different one). In the warm afternoon, they will be a little higher, and on cold mornings, a little lower. During fall and spring, I adjust mine every 2 weeks or so to accomodate the changing temps, adding air as daily temps fall and vice-versus
As to sensors, on a 97 or 98, yes the batteries may be failing. The only way to get new batteries is 1. new sensors, or 2. Remove the batteriy, which involves chipping away potting compound, which makes up one side of the sensor, to get to the battery, unsoldering it, redoldering a new battery without heat damaging it, and reassembling the sensor with potting compound or epoxy. For me, when the batteries fail, I'll go to one of the forum parts vendors and get new sensors. The money saved is not worth my time.
As to sensors, on a 97 or 98, yes the batteries may be failing. The only way to get new batteries is 1. new sensors, or 2. Remove the batteriy, which involves chipping away potting compound, which makes up one side of the sensor, to get to the battery, unsoldering it, redoldering a new battery without heat damaging it, and reassembling the sensor with potting compound or epoxy. For me, when the batteries fail, I'll go to one of the forum parts vendors and get new sensors. The money saved is not worth my time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Originally Posted by Red903L
Battery sensors???? OK, clue me in on what you're talking about!
I just took shipment of some new wheels (BBS LM's ,just like yours mrm1149) and will be doing the "tire change drill" in a couple weeks.
Are we referring to batteries that go inside of the tire pressure sensors? If so, perhaps I had better change these out while I have the tires and wheels apart for the new rims??
Thanks....
I just took shipment of some new wheels (BBS LM's ,just like yours mrm1149) and will be doing the "tire change drill" in a couple weeks.
Are we referring to batteries that go inside of the tire pressure sensors? If so, perhaps I had better change these out while I have the tires and wheels apart for the new rims??
Thanks....
Being Irish, I guess it's time to dig out the hammer drill
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 364
Likes: 2
From: Picton Ontario
Tps
I have had the LR sensor go bad over the past 2 months. First, low pressure triggered at 25#s. Then "flat tire" warning. Now it says "service tire monitor sys" when I start the car, and the "LRxxx" shows when I cycle through the "gauges" readouts. Car is a '98.
Have ordered a new one from Fichtner's... $99.95. Sometimes they are back ordered.
Have ordered a new one from Fichtner's... $99.95. Sometimes they are back ordered.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,295
Likes: 4
From: Downers Grove IL
St. Jude Donor '15
Thanks! My guess is that the batteries are suffering from old age and need to be replaced. I'll just replace the sensors next year when I (hopefully) get new wheels.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 303
Likes: 1
From: Portland, Oregon . To err is human, to forgive is NOT company policy
Originally Posted by Dustie
Have ordered a new one from Fichtner's... $99.95. Sometimes they are back ordered.
they have the best prices i've seen
send gene a email
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio (Temporarily in Georgia) TX
I've got a question about the install... Is there only one rubber grommet on the inside and a nut/washer on the outside of the wheel? Its a 1998 so its the older sensors...
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 303
Likes: 1
From: Portland, Oregon . To err is human, to forgive is NOT company policy
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 364
Likes: 2
From: Picton Ontario
shipping
Originally Posted by landl
get them from gene at fred beans
they have the best prices i've seen
send gene a email
they have the best prices i've seen
send gene a email
They may be slightly cheaper but unfortunately, Gene WILL NOT ship to Canada whereas Fitchners gladly will...
Bob at Fitchners is the MAN!!!