Wheel Sensors
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Tomah Wisconsin
Wheel Sensors
I took our Vett in to have it checked over and have the steering lock issue fixed and have them check the low tire code I was getting. As it turns out 3 out of the 4 wheel sensors are bad and or not working. The then told me it was going to be a little over a $1000 to fix!! So, my question to you guys is there any way to bypass this option so the computer still thinks the sensors are there and the tires are inflated to were they need to be?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,190
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
You have nothing filled out in your profile. You didn't even mention the year or type car you have. It's going to be hard to get a correct answer. The question can't be answered with the information available.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Yes, they can be turned off. i don't know where they come up with over $1000. The fours sensors are available from GMParthouse for 424.76 shipped. You could have them changed out at a tire shop you trust.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
What is the cost breakdown on the repairs? Since the car is 11 years old the sensor batteries may be dying. The sensors will cost you about $115 each and a tire shop will charge anywhere from $40 to $50 per tire to breakdown a run flat tire (qualified run flat tech and proper equipment), install the sensor and rebalance the tire. If you don't have run flats the tire breakdown and spin balance price will be more like $15-20 each unless you live in one of the high cost areas of the country.
Bill
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Aug 15, 2008 at 01:44 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,190
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
Ah, 97. The sensor circuit can't be edited out on a 97. If the sensor's are bad, you can replace them, or you can hit reset everytime you start the car to remove the warning. When you say "not working", is it possible they just need to be relearned? If so, it can be done from the DIC in just a few minutes. Post what you are seeing on the DIC exactly.
Last edited by 65GGvert; Aug 15, 2008 at 06:38 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
If you need to replace the sensors, here's the part numbers ...
97-2000 Sensors
10438853 - sensor
15234846 - nut
25715243 - grommet
usually you can re-use the nuts from the current sensors, but you should get 4 sensors and 4 grommets.
Check these vendors (use the part numbers) for MUCH better pricing than a dealer will give you ....
http://www.gmpartshouse.com
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com
I'd buy the sensors on-line and as Bill Dearborn recommends use a good tire shop to replace the sensors. You can program them yourself with a large magnet, but good tire shops should have the information to do it for you.
97-2000 Sensors
10438853 - sensor
15234846 - nut
25715243 - grommet
usually you can re-use the nuts from the current sensors, but you should get 4 sensors and 4 grommets.
Check these vendors (use the part numbers) for MUCH better pricing than a dealer will give you ....
http://www.gmpartshouse.com
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com
I'd buy the sensors on-line and as Bill Dearborn recommends use a good tire shop to replace the sensors. You can program them yourself with a large magnet, but good tire shops should have the information to do it for you.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,849
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From: Philadelphia PA
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 2
From: Bakersfield Ca
Batteries in TPS last 8 to 10 years and you have gotten the maximum service life out of them that you can. OEM sensors are expensive, but I can replace the batteries and reseal them for a LOT LESS than buying new sensors. If your interested, shoot me a PM or email me at ardisfamily@hotmail.com and we can work out the details. 
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,394
Likes: 6
From: Melbourne FL
Ah, 97. The sensor circuit can't be edited out on a 97. If the sensor's are bad, you can replace them, or you can hit reset everytime you start the car to remove the warning. When you say "not working", is it possible they just need to be relearned? If so, it can be done from the DIC in just a few minutes. Post what you are seeing on the DIC exactly.
That model year does not allow for the TPS system to be turned off. You will need to buy new sensors and have them replaced by a reputable tire shop or hit the delete button each time you start the car to clear the DIC. The others are right on line with the costs. $1000 is way too high.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
I took our Vett in to have it checked over and have the steering lock issue fixed and have them check the low tire code I was getting. As it turns out 3 out of the 4 wheel sensors are bad and or not working. The then told me it was going to be a little over a $1000 to fix!! So, my question to you guys is there any way to bypass this option so the computer still thinks the sensors are there and the tires are inflated to were they need to be?
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
And, they are even easier to program before you install them in the wheels.
I programmed my new sensors, before installing them in the wheels, using only a small magnet.
Just be sure to mark the intended wheel position on each sensor before you start.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Tomah Wisconsin
Guys, I appreciate your advice greatly. This is our first Vett and we have only had it for about a month. I'm learning as I go, lol. The message display says (LF tire pressure low), I don't know how the know there are 3 bad sensors. I work on a lot of different equipment, but this newer stuff is way different. I'm not even sure what the pressure sensor looks like, but I will find out. Thanks again guys
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 13
From: Kinston North Carolina
Sensors
"The message display says (LF tire pressure low),"
This tells us at least one of them is working. Check the pressure (hand held guage) in all 4 tires and see if it goes away. Press the gauges button to scroll through and let us know what the other 3 say.
This tells us at least one of them is working. Check the pressure (hand held guage) in all 4 tires and see if it goes away. Press the gauges button to scroll through and let us know what the other 3 say.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 1
From: Lincoln Nebraska
Guys, I appreciate your advice greatly. This is our first Vett and we have only had it for about a month. I'm learning as I go, lol. The message display says (LF tire pressure low), I don't know how the know there are 3 bad sensors. I work on a lot of different equipment, but this newer stuff is way different. I'm not even sure what the pressure sensor looks like, but I will find out. Thanks again guys
If you have a manual read about the DIC and the controls so you can become familiar with it, this will come in handy in the future.
First check the air pressure in each tire and fill to 30 lbs cold on each tire. Start the car, note any warnings you get like 'LF tire pressure low' and press the reset control button for each warning you see. Go for a short ride (5 minutes, the sensors won't register until moving). Return home and cycle through the display items using the gauges button until you come to the tire pressure display items. Front l & R will display together and Rear l & R will display together. Your pressures for each tire should be very close to the 30 lbs that you filled the tires to.
If you continue to see the warnings or if any of the pressures come back as XXX then try the relearn procedure (in the manual) for the four sensors (In valve stem of each tire). You will need a large magnet for the relearn.
Whatever you do DON"T let that stealer do the work!
Did the $1000 include the steering wheel lock' fix? And what exactly is that, what symptoms. There are some common problems that you could be helped with here.
Last edited by warpster; Aug 22, 2008 at 12:38 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Boiling Springs SC
Another option is to keep an eye on e-bay, I bought a complete set of 4 "export" sensors (different frequency), 2 key FOBS and the receiver unit for my 97' from a seller by the name of "smcperformanceinc". You will have to swap out the module which is located above the driver side rear wheel in the rear compartment (about 20 min's to comp) and you will loose your passive lock function, but you will have 4 new sensors and 2 new key FOBS. I saw some listed a few weeks ago for $350, so he may have more listed soon.
