HI there
I am in the UK and am proposing to replace the batteries in my tyre pressure sensors, can someone please tell me the spec for the battery and if they are readily available.
The car is a 2001 C5 auto with euro spec sensors, which over here are about $120 so hence the need to look first at changing batteries.

Mike

 

I have only seen people rebuilding the 1997 - 2000 sensors. That $120 sounds more like the 1997 - 2000 sensor prices.

 

My understanding is you cannot replace the batts on those - 87SAM is correct...

 

No thats definitely the price for the 2001-4, its the euro bit that makes them expensive, different frequencies and all that make them a bit rarer so more expensive than the US version.

I have no idea if they can be replaced but certainly worth a look see as currently all four have packed up, and as I am replacing wheels and non run flat tyres I may well not fit them at all and just cancel out the warning each time I start up.

Mike

 

You're right about TPMS sensors, on the euro exports, operating on a different frequency. They are somewhat more expensive, than the more common U.S. domestic version for 01-04 Corvettes, but $120 is still about what the 97-00 Corvette owners pay for new sensors here in the U.S.

It's certainly worth a try to crack open one of your old sensors for a battery replacement. You've got nothing to lose.

As for installing non run flat tires without TPMS sensors, I don't think it's a very good idea. The ability to have a low tire pressure warning is an important safety measure. Keep the sensors, especially with the non run flats!

 

In my experience, all 4 TPMS will not go bad at the same time. One at a time usually. If all 4 started reporting as "XXX" on the DIC in a relatively short amount of time (or after disconnecting the 12V battery), I would suggest running the TPMS retraining process. Do your key fobs still work properly? If not, I suspect an RFA (receiver) issue. It's located in the "boot", by the rear driver speaker.

Todd

 

Thanks Todd, the latest time the message appeared was after a 80 mile run, it popped up as I pulled in my drive, I disconnected the main battery for 30 mins or so and upon reconnection all four sensors are sending again just fine. At just over 10 years old I guess the sensor batteries are on their last legs so that is the most likely problem, I was just asking if a more central problem may be at fault.
The key fob works just fine as do all other electrics.
I am still unsure if the batteries can be replaced in these later sensors, has anyone actually tried? and if so with what success, but as said earlier its worth a try as they are no good in their present state.
I also saw in a thread that the sensor system can be turned off on a 2001 via tech 2 is that correct? and can it be done manually via the cars own systems?

 

Post #25, in the forum thread link below, has some additional links to You Tube videos showing how to rebuild 2001-2004 TPMS sensors.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ignment-2.html

 

What error message exactly? "Service TPMS System", or were all 4 tire pressures reporting "XXX", or both?

If/when it happens again, I would strongly suggest pulling your codes (via the DIC, hold Fuel button, press Options 4 times) next time you see problems like this to confirm exactly what is going on. Disconnecting the main battery will clear these fault codes. If you see any codes in the list that are not simply the U1xxx TPMS errors from the RFA, I would suspect an intermittent serial bus communication problem, or grounding issue to the RFA. Both of these are common C5 occurrences. Again research of the specific codes (or posting them up here) will lead to a diagnosis. All 4 TPMS will not fail at the same time - it's statistically impossible.

My belief is that mileage is a bigger factor than age. I just sold a couple sets of '99 and '00 TPMS that were still running strong with less than 70k miles on them. Based on the video links referred by Quicksilver, it is very likely that the circuit board would get damaged during an attempt at battery replacement. I'd suggest waiting until one sensor (and only one) stops reporting before considering this repair.

I also run non-run-flat tires with TPMS. A local tire shop easily broke the bead of my 4-year-old tires and swapped the TPMS for $10 per tire, including rebalance. I would not rush the TPMS rebuild/replace decision as part of your tire change.

Since you are ready to DIY the TPMS repair, perhaps do it once each tire's TPMS actually fails. You would purchase just one new TPMS upon first failure. Have the tyre shop return the removed one to you, then take a crack at DIY battery replacement. Keep it as a shelf spare (or buy another new one if it doesn't go well ), and repeat when the next sensor fails. Increased hassle factor for sure, but saves some quid!

No, only through a Tech-II. It reprograms the RFA to not send TPMS info or warnings. The Z06 uses the RFA same module but does not have TPMS, therefore the dealer must "configure" the RFA for each car. The DIC does not have such a command set. As with the others here, I strongly recommend keeping the TPMS intact. It's very valuable, preventing tire/rim damage or dangerous situations at high speed. It notified me of one TPMS lock nut that was only finger-tight, about 5 minutes after leaving the tire shop.

Todd

 

Thanks Todd for a real comprehensive response, certainly plenty to get my teeth into.
Regarding the message all I get is "service TPMS system" and then when I go into the individual sensor readings there are just blanks.
Up until the last couple of trips I have had only a few instances of TPMS messages, 1 last year on a trip to Holland it read flat NSF again just as we pulled into our hotel, but the pressure was fine and upon starting next day, no message and correct readings for the rest of the trip. Had a flat back in July in NSR with warnings as the tyre lost pressure so working as it should, and a couple of odd occasions of too high pressure warnings in the hot weather but the system has always gone back to normal after each event. I will be out again this weekend as the weather looks good for a change, so see if I get a repeat and if I do I will look to see any lurking codes.
I was interested in your comment about mileage vs age of sensors, my C5 is 2001 but with only 10K on the clock so perhaps a few more miles in the sensors if you are correct?
Thanks again for all the info, the US forum never fails to find me the answers
Mike.

 

Mike,

NSR / NSF is near-side rear, near-side front? Had to Google that terminology. When the NSF was reported as a flat, do you recall if the pressure reported 0 on the DIC at that time? Were the high pressure alerts reported just in the 40+psi range, or excessively wrong?

If a battery were going, I would expect either erratic results, or no results at all. A dying coin cell battery won't get better on its own. In my opinion, a fault a year ago was likely caused by something other than the battery since your battery is still going strong now. If that makes sense.

I would check for codes straight away to ensure you have a 'clean slate'. Log and clear any that are found. Then check again after any unexpected TPMS activity, or at any time really. Post up what you find (or do a search) for some guidance on each one. It should be 'No Codes' across the board. 'No Response' is a problem.

The US versions of the TPMS only transmit while the wheel is rotating, conserving battery life. 10k miles translates to very few hours of rotation and transmission. I would guess they have significant life left.

Todd

 

Thanks Todd, sorry about the terminology but yes NSF is near side front etc etc.
The message I had in Holland was simply the "flat tyre pull over asap" type, there were no warnings of pressure drop just the warning message and once again it was at the end of a 200 mile trip just as we pulled into the town and stopping at some lights, on that occasion I checked the tyre which was fine and on start up next morning all was fine with correct readings, no problems on the return trip.
When the rear went flat I got regular readings as the tyre lost pressure, I was on a motorway and near some services so managed to pull in before it went completely flat, filled it with Pennzoil run flat and reinflated and was fine for rest of 200 mile trip, even the sensor kept working and still does so.
I am hoping the Euro version of the sensors are the same as US, only using power when sending during wheel rotation, there are certainly no readings until the car is moving from a cold start so presume they are the same.
Thanks again
Mike.

 

Yes. Although it's true that TPMS sensors transmit only while the wheel is rotating, their internal batteries are still affected by the effects of aging over time, which causes the battery output voltage to slowly decay.

Put a fresh set of batteries in a flashlight, and store it for 10 years. Try the flashlight after that period, and you'll see what I mean.

 

OK did as suggested and checked all codes before going for my trip today, a good cross section of motorway/urban and fast twisty bits
No problems at all with the TPMS all readings changing as the tyres warmed and no warnings on DIC, typical. I did notice that the door locks were not always engaging as I moved off so a communication issue here? and is that related to the TPMS
History codes pulled were from AO LDCM (left door) A1 RDCM (right door) and BO RFA (Remote?) All were history codes, no current.
AO LDCM B2282/B2284/B2278 U1064/U1096
A1 RDCM B2283/B2285 U1064/U1096
BO RFA U1096/U1064/U1016 C2105/C2120

I have looked them all up and I guess the U codes are all loss of communication with doors and remote, C2105 would be the incident in Holland I spoke about (false flat reading), and C2120 the TPM system malfunction.

So does that give you any ideas as to where the actual problem may lie? where do I look and what do I look for?

Any and all help greatly appreciated.

MIke.

 

Hey Guys
Any ideas on the above codes and where the trouble may lie and how to fix? was hoping to spend some time today having a look, but not sure where to start.
Mike.

 

Just bumping the thread before it slips off the page, can anybody advise on the codes above and are they likely to all come back to the RFA module? if so where is it and what do I look for?

please help

Mike.