Just aquired an '03 with 16k miles. In between test driving the car (with the TPMS system apparently working) and delivery, the wheels/tires were swapped with those of an '01. When I received the car, the DIC showed 26 for each front and 28 for each rear. These values never changed, and IIRC they were present even with the ignition on and the engine off.

I tried and failed to program the sensors, and took it to a dealer. They programmed three, and declared one dead. I drove the car, and observed sensible, changing pressures for three wheels, and the old, unchanging 28 for one of the rears. However, after 2 hrs, the pressures for all four wheels switched to "XXX", and I got a "Service Tire Pressure Monitoring System" message.

The dealer thinks that it is just the one bad sensor which is causing this. I'd like to see if the forum agrees with this, or may have any other interpretation.

Many thanks,

Joe

 

One sensor should not do this.

 

OK - a follow up question, if I may. Given the history, and the fact that three of them were successfully programmed and operated for two hours - are you saying that they simply need to be programmed again?

I guess what I'm wondering/worrying about is whether the sensors were programmed, coughed out 2 hours of data, and then all died with their 10 year old batteries.

 

The car has to be moving for them to work in case you aren't aware of it. The batteries typically last 8-10 years but as with anything, things happen. When you swapped out the wheels/tires, did you use the same sensors or were there sensors on the wheels already and if so, were they the correct ones for the car?

 

Of course; it is while the car was being driven that the three working sensors, plus the non-working sensor that produced an unchanging reading of 28, all suddenly went to "XXX", and I received the DIC message.

The wheels/tires were switched together, so the sensors on my car are from the 2001 car. I believe that 2001 sensors are good for my 2003, and keep in mind that three out of the four sensors were seen to be working for a brief time in my car.

 

Well, that is exactly the situation that I have described.

I got another magnet and succeeding on three wheels, duplicating the results of the dealer. I started the car and scrolled to the tire pressures. With the car stationary, they read values of 34,33, 34, and XXX for LF, RF, RR, and LR, respectively - I hope because they had just been activated. I drove for about 6 miles, and none of those values changed - which has me a bit worried.

I will drive tomorrow; observe if any pressures appear before the car is moving; see what the pressures are, and whether they increase as the tires warm.

 

The values of 34, 33, 34, and XXX appeared when the ignition was switched on today (tires had been set to 30 psi with an accurate gage). As I drove the car, none of the values changed. After an hour, all readings went to XXX.

Are all my sensors dead, even though I can train three of them?

Many thanks,

Joe

 

The sensors send a signal to the RFA (RF receiver) once the car is moving. The RFA is shared with the door lock system. Presuming your door locks are operating normally and the fact that the car is getting sensor readings after retraining makes me think that the "upstream" part of the system is working OK.

That means the issue is with the sensors. The symptoms you describe sound exactly like a single sensor being weaker than the others but that the batteries in all of them are almost (but not quite) dead.

Thinking about how the system works. You retrain them and theres enough power on 3 TPMs to take the retrain. Until the car moves the batteries are dormant so you get readings. Once you hit 15 mph the TPMs start transmitting to the RFA and the DIC shows the pressure from the 3 live sensors. They transmit for the short time until the limited power is exhausted and then show XXX meaning the batteries are dead. The only anomaly is that you would expect a small rise in temperature as the tires warm up. It's possible though that there just isn't enough power to update the reading before the sensors fail.

If they are anything over 7 years old then its possible that the batteries are dead. XXX is consistent with dead sensors. Its always difficult to advise someone to go for a full sensor change but I'd say thats most likely your problem.

If it was me I'd buy new sensors.

 

FACT: 2001-2004 sensors are the same

I like the above info

 

Holy hell!

Awesome info 8vette7.
I just bought a new set of wheels from a forum member and my TPMS has been screwed up ever since.
I thought they were all bad.

I will definitely try the reprogramming thing and hopefully that will fix it.

I really love the internet. I don't understand how people figured stuff out before it.

 

just bought a new set of wheels with sensors in them and have tried everything.
I still have my old set of wheels and tires as well.

I tried resetting my new set and my old set.
I cannot get the horn to sound no matter what I do.
What could the issue be?
I was not having any issues when the old set was on.

After the new set got bolted on I started having the issues.


I am guessing you have to train them to each specific car?

Will the pre 2000 tpms' work on my 04 vette?

I need some help seriously. I have searched and tried everything besides taking them out of the wheels.



Also, can you replace the battery in them or do you have to buy new stems once they go out?

 

If you have pre 2000 sensors they will not work on an 04. They work at a different frequency. If you have the correct sensors, you need a bigger magnet.

Do you have stock or after market wheels?

 

I bought 4 different magnets.
I also tried to reset my sensors that are still in my old wheels.
They did not make the horn sound either.

My old wheels are stock.
My new wheels are aftermarket.

Neither set is allowing me to reset

 

I might just take them out of the old stock wheels and see if I can train them.
Not sure why they are not working.

 

An update and a presumed resolution. Four new sensors and the system worked throughout a 5 hour, 260 mile outing. Thanks to all.

Joe