Good explanations above!
Teach me about TPS units
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 548
Likes: 3
From: Northeast NE
Teach me about TPS units
I am curious about how the entire system works.
Power supply? How does the car know which is LR, RF etc? How are they mounted?
Teach me all you know about the units...would just like to know more.
Power supply? How does the car know which is LR, RF etc? How are they mounted?
Teach me all you know about the units...would just like to know more.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The TPS straight out of the box is just a battery powered RF transmitter. It uses the cap on the tire valve as an aerial and transmits the pressure reading to the onboard receiver situated in the reardrivers side fender area. Once the receiveer picks up the signal it tells the PCM the reading and its displayed on the DIC. The receiver is shared with the keyless entry system.
To save the batteries (lifed at 7 years or so) the TPS goes in hibernation when the car is stationary. It only transmits a signal after the car has been moving for 20 secs or so hence the lag on the system.
Once fitted, you train the TPS in the sequence ordered by the DIC to tell it where on the car it sits.
The tire valve is integral to the TPS which is held in place by a nut on the outside of the rim and made leakproof by a rubber O seal
To save the batteries (lifed at 7 years or so) the TPS goes in hibernation when the car is stationary. It only transmits a signal after the car has been moving for 20 secs or so hence the lag on the system.
Once fitted, you train the TPS in the sequence ordered by the DIC to tell it where on the car it sits.
The tire valve is integral to the TPS which is held in place by a nut on the outside of the rim and made leakproof by a rubber O seal
Last edited by DeeGee; Jan 3, 2008 at 04:39 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,999
Likes: 9,764
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The TPS straight out of the box is just a battery powered RF transmitter. It uses the cap on the tire valve as an aerial and transmits the pressure reading to the onboard receiver situated in the reardrivers side fender area. Once the receiveer picks up the signal it tells the PCM the reading and its displayed on the DIC. The receiver is shared with the keyless entry system.
To save the batteries (lifed at 7 years or so) the TPS goes in hibernation when the car is stationary. It only transmits a signal after the car has been moving for 20 secs or so hence the lag on the system.
Once fitted, you train the TPS in the sequence ordered by the DIC to tell it where on the car it sits.
The tire valve is integral to the TPS which is held in place by a nut on the outside of the rim and made leakproof by a rubber O seal
To save the batteries (lifed at 7 years or so) the TPS goes in hibernation when the car is stationary. It only transmits a signal after the car has been moving for 20 secs or so hence the lag on the system.
Once fitted, you train the TPS in the sequence ordered by the DIC to tell it where on the car it sits.
The tire valve is integral to the TPS which is held in place by a nut on the outside of the rim and made leakproof by a rubber O seal
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee & Long Beach WI & CA
I've seen references to the fact that the TPS for '97-'00 cars are different from the '01-'04 cars. Can anyone verify that and/or explain what changed?
My '01 threw a service tire monitor warning on the DIC the other night for about 5 minuts and then returned to normal. I think I read the batteries are only good for about 6 years, so I'm thinking I probably have weak batteries. I'm about to put on a new set of tires so I want to get new batteries in the TPS then. Can I replace the batteries in the TPS's or do I have to get new ones?
My '01 threw a service tire monitor warning on the DIC the other night for about 5 minuts and then returned to normal. I think I read the batteries are only good for about 6 years, so I'm thinking I probably have weak batteries. I'm about to put on a new set of tires so I want to get new batteries in the TPS then. Can I replace the batteries in the TPS's or do I have to get new ones?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
I've seen references to the fact that the TPS for '97-'00 cars are different from the '01-'04 cars. Can anyone verify that and/or explain what changed?
My '01 threw a service tire monitor warning on the DIC the other night for about 5 minuts and then returned to normal. I think I read the batteries are only good for about 6 years, so I'm thinking I probably have weak batteries. I'm about to put on a new set of tires so I want to get new batteries in the TPS then. Can I replace the batteries in the TPS's or do I have to get new ones?
My '01 threw a service tire monitor warning on the DIC the other night for about 5 minuts and then returned to normal. I think I read the batteries are only good for about 6 years, so I'm thinking I probably have weak batteries. I'm about to put on a new set of tires so I want to get new batteries in the TPS then. Can I replace the batteries in the TPS's or do I have to get new ones?
For the 2001 Model Year Chevy changed the radio frequency that the RFA monitors, so the key fobs and TPMS in the 1997-2000 transmit on a different radio frequency than the 2001-2004 fobs/TPMS use. That's why there is no way the fobs/TPMS can be interchanged between the two systems.
I strongly suspect that those who have a 1997-2000 could install the "new" RFA from a 2001-2004 and switch to the much cheaper 01-04 TPMS and key fobs. Wiring is the same for both RFA, and it appears that the IPC would not notice the difference in the transmit rates between the two TPMS systems.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee & Long Beach WI & CA
Thanks for the info! Anybody know if the two versions of the TPS use the same type of battery? I've found some threads linking to a page on how to change the batteries, but the site is being redone and the link doesn't work right now. Here it is in case they fix it:
http://www.cccorvetteclub.org/tps_replace.htm
http://www.cccorvetteclub.org/tps_replace.htm
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Thanks for the info! Anybody know if the two versions of the TPS use the same type of battery? I've found some threads linking to a page on how to change the batteries, but the site is being redone and the link doesn't work right now. Here it is in case they fix it:
http://www.cccorvetteclub.org/tps_replace.htm
http://www.cccorvetteclub.org/tps_replace.htm
Part numbers should be ....
25773946 - sensor
15234846 - nut
Order 4 of each .... should run about $180.00 total, check the supporting parts vendors for prices ....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Here is a picture of a 2001+ TPS mounted on a chromed ZO6 OEM wheel:
The valve stem IS NOT the antenna!
If you "band mount " the TPS, you can rip off the valve stem and it will still work and program normaly:
pics27.jpg[/IMG]
Here are pictures od an EARLY and LATE model TPS ( the early model TPS is the one on the RIGHT)
The valve stem IS NOT the antenna!
If you "band mount " the TPS, you can rip off the valve stem and it will still work and program normaly:pics27.jpg[/IMG]
Here are pictures od an EARLY and LATE model TPS ( the early model TPS is the one on the RIGHT)
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Maybe it's one of those Old Wives Tales. I was told by someone I had no reason to doubt, that the reason we had metal caps is that it acts as a re-radiator for the TPS signal. Kind of like a cheap amplifier. To that end, he said you should always use a metal cap (radiator) not a rubber cap (insulator).
I'm sure you're correct - probably
Last edited by DeeGee; Jan 4, 2008 at 03:25 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee & Long Beach WI & CA
I'm guessing since I haven't found any docs talking about replacing the batteries on the '01-'04 version, it can't be done
Also, do you really need a new nut? Why can't you just reuse the originals?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,979
Likes: 31
From: Wichita KS
Yeah, but if I can replace just replace the batteries I think it would cost around $20. I found this link which states a source for new batteries, but it only mentions the '97-'00 version: http://c5help.com/tps_replace.htm
I'm guessing since I haven't found any docs talking about replacing the batteries on the '01-'04 version, it can't be done
Also, do you really need a new nut? Why can't you just reuse the originals?
I'm guessing since I haven't found any docs talking about replacing the batteries on the '01-'04 version, it can't be done
Also, do you really need a new nut? Why can't you just reuse the originals?
Last edited by Corvette Don; Jan 4, 2008 at 12:05 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 147
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville AL
I strongly suspect that those who have a 1997-2000 could install the "new" RFA from a 2001-2004 and switch to the much cheaper 01-04 TPMS and key fobs. Wiring is the same for both RFA, and it appears that the IPC would not notice the difference in the transmit rates between the two TPMS systems.