TPMS Battery Life
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
TPMS Battery Life
2000 Coupe w/Magnesium Wheels. There MUST be a way to test or determine how much longer the TPMS batteries will last. Why replace them if I still have two or three years left? The car was built in August '99 and has 65k on the odometer. Getting ready to install the fourth set of tires since the car came from Bowling Green and would rather not spend the $200 at this time if I can help it. Has anyone found a way to test the remaining battery life?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
While I see, and am grateful, for the logic in the responses, my question dealt with testing the remaining life in the TPMS transmitter batteries. With all of the technology available to the best damned sports car ever built, it will be difficult for me to except as fact that there is no way to measure the battery life still available in the transmitters. If my tires were in good condition and didn't need replacing a gadget to test the batteries would be a good investment. Maybe invent-a-tool.com can help. The search continues.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
OK.. Im confused... Are we talking about the pressure censers in the wheels? If so, i asked the girl at Corvettes of Houston today if there were batteries in them and she said no.. They just need to be "programed" when you replace your tires. OK, if Im wrong, someone correct me.. Im also told that they are a bit expensive to replace.. Ugh...
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 3
From: Bakersfield CA
While I see, and am grateful, for the logic in the responses, my question dealt with testing the remaining life in the TPMS transmitter batteries. With all of the technology available to the best damned sports car ever built, it will be difficult for me to except as fact that there is no way to measure the battery life still available in the transmitters. If my tires were in good condition and didn't need replacing a gadget to test the batteries would be a good investment. Maybe invent-a-tool.com can help. The search continues.
Last edited by C5at57; Oct 14, 2010 at 06:19 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Not hardly. You can buy four new '97-'00 sensors from Tire Rack for $252.00 plus shipping. Doing the conversion with sensors, receiver and FOB will be around $400.00.
Last edited by Mark C5; Oct 14, 2010 at 06:27 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 133
Likes: 2
From: Winsdor ON
I say don't replace them until they stop working. I got my car in October of 97 and the rears are still doing fine. ( I trashed my front sensors putting goop into the tires trying to fix slow leaks from aftermarket chromed wheels that were corroding - had to put the old wagon wheels back on.....errggg!)
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
While I see, and am grateful, for the logic in the responses, my question dealt with testing the remaining life in the TPMS transmitter batteries. With all of the technology available to the best damned sports car ever built, it will be difficult for me to except as fact that there is no way to measure the battery life still available in the transmitters. If my tires were in good condition and didn't need replacing a gadget to test the batteries would be a good investment. Maybe invent-a-tool.com can help. The search continues.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
To all of my Corvette brothers and sisters, thank you for all of your help in trying to solve my dilemma. It seems technology has once again answered the question. ATEQ makes a series of testers that can indicate various states of TPMS battery condition. While that is good news the caveat is this: the testers cost about the same as a set of new sensors! ATEQ does have a list of service providers by zip code that have the testers and will check the status for a nominal fee. I called the USA office in Michigan and they were quite helpful. Time to solve the next problem. Let's find a 1.5 DIN nav system that's not motorized and doesn't require a $400 modification to the center stack bezel. Ready, set, GO....
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: East Hampton CT
I was in the same dilemma earlier this year. Decided to upgrade the system to 2001+ parts since both my fobs were dead also. You could order the parts from PartsTaxi.com. The total (less shipping) is $350. Had a problem with the reciever being in stock so I went the e-b-a-y route for the receiver and fobs. Cost was about the same and it worked no problems. Send me a PM and I'll send you a link of a current auction.
Then you can put the old parts on the forum for sale. Just got back more than half of the $350 re-couping much of the cost.
Then you can put the old parts on the forum for sale. Just got back more than half of the $350 re-couping much of the cost.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
Believe it or not, local classic auto dealer advises, that as long as I have the factory Magnesium wheels, I'm better off sticking with the original style sensors. Something to do with future resale value. Go figure. 
