Hello everyone,

I just bought a 98 C5 with 33,000 miles. I was looking at the information center and I get readings on the Psi for 3 tires except the rear right tire. They all read 32-33 psi. I am assuming the TPSM in the rear wheel is bad. Does it matter if you replace just that one sensor? Also, purchasing the OEM sensors for $100 each sounds crazy. Does anyone have an opinion on the Titans that go for $45. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

You can replace one sensor at a time if you like. The battery could be dead, and if original the others could follow one at a time. If you change any one, you need to retrain all four through the DIC beginning with the lf, then rf, then rr and then lr. gmpartshouse.com offers a kit to upgrade the rfa, the tpms, and the remotes to the newer less expensive type. His ads are on here quite often, search for gmparthouse.com

copied from the web site:



PKC5TPMS - $429.99 (Special Discounted Price)

This kit includes the following:

(1) #1 Key FOB
(1) #2 Key FOB
(1) Remote Control Door Lock Receiver
(1) Remote Control Door Lock Receiver Connector
(4) Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors (TPMS)
(4) Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor Mounting Nuts

This kit retails for $685.42 and includes everything you need to convert your TPMS and key FOB’s in your 1997-2000 Corvette to the 2001-2004 Corvette. This is done to change the future costs or current costs of the more expensive 1997-2000 Corvette TPMS and key FOB’s to the lesser expensive 2001-2004 Corvette TPMS and key FOB’s. Click on the link below to purchase.

 

there is no way that a car made in 98 with 33,000 miles would have new sensors. because even if they would have been replaced in 10 years, 2008, the one sensors would not be bad in 5 years. So Im betting the car has original tires ( that are 15 years old together with 15 year old sensors.) Tires should be replaced every 8 to 10 years because of age not miles. You are already 5 years over the time limit. IN many states with safety inspection, this would cause your car to fail. If you get involved in an accident and hurt or kill someone, they would crucify you for have tires 15 years old. I suggest you get new tires and sensors, yesterday.
Bill aka ET

 

FYI , the tires are not original, they have approximately 10K on them. Only half worn. I live in MA, and the state is very strict on tread wear during initial inspection before registration. Thus, this is the reason I thought it must be just a bad or aging sensor.

 

why would someone replace tires with 22,000 miles on them? How long ago was the tires replaced? Was the sensors replaced too? are you the one who replaced the tires or is this hear say? Do you know if the sensors are original. I've never heard of a tire pressure sensor lasting 15 years. I just used logic based on what you said about the car and the tires. Still don't kbnow why anyone would buy new tires when the old tires only have 22K. I got 40K out of my first set of tires on my 99. I have 40K on my present tires with 4/32 remaining but they are 9 years old. I'm getting new tires and wheels this week because of age not mileage.
Incidentally you talk about Maine and tread wear inspection.. Im not talking about tread wear. 2/32 passes in most states, but its the tire manufacturing date ( the shelf life ) the age of the tire, not the tread wear. these are two different safety checks.
Bill aka ET
I know you are already complaining about paying 100 dollars for a sensor. That's what they cost. ff you are balking on 100 dollars, then maybe a 14 year old corvette was not the best choice for you. The after market stuff is not worth the effort since many will not communicate with the RF receiver. C5's use two different frequencies.

 

I can think of a few reasons tires were replaced with 22K on them. First, age, which you have already discussed. The car is a 98 with only 33K, so not driven much. Second, noise after wearing for a while. Third, wore the backs off and replaced the set. Fourth, decided to go with a different brand or tread. There are others.
The sensors could have been changed at any time during the life of the car, we just don't know. I just know that before I replaced all four with the old type, I'd do the upgrade to the new style tpms and remotes.

 

IM not trying to be disrespectful to the OP. I'm just trying to figure out what he has for sure.. tires and sensors.
New tires with 10K on them was never mentioned in the original post.
People selling their car with sensors and tires working usually wont spend the money to upgrade the tires and sensors when there is no apparent need. This is just logical, it doesn't make it fact.
Advice on changing old tires ( aged ) is just the right thing to do when offering advice.
We don't know the age of the sensors. If the sensors were replace with the recent tire purchase, then I would think the one sensor would just be a bad sensor. If the sensors are 8 years or older then the one bad sensor is only an indicator of the other three.
This is a logical diagnosis , given the information as it was presented.
Bill aka ET
I would not use after market sensors.

 

Hi Everyone:

Just to clarify a little. I bought the car from a dealer. The tires on the car are not original. I only know they have about 10,000 miles on them. They have no idea how long ago the tires were installed or whether they reinstalled the original sensors or purchased
new one's. I have not removed any tires to inspect anything. The only thing I do know is the right rear sensor is not working properly. I am getting readings for the other 3 tires.
Thanks for everyone's thoughts.

 

"Usually" ...if you can afford to buy a Corvette to start with then you should have done some research beforehand to know that most things to do with a Corvette have always been of premium dollar...that being said many times before...
If you want peace of mind then just save up and buy 4 new sensors and get it over with...that's what I am going to do in the near future

btw...just curious...you have been here almost 7 years and have only 8 posts....how come only 8 posts? surely you are not "that " shy

 

Hi Yello:

It's not a matter of the cost, I can afford it, but on the other hand I just don't go out and buy 4 new sensors just for the sake of buying them just because one isn't working. If they all weren't working I would replace them all. I keep my cars in excellent condition.
Regularly do the maintenance, check tire pressure, ect. I'm not really worried about piece of mind so to speak, because I check this stuff routinely.
Also, I just haven't posted much because luckily, I haven't had many issues with my cars. I'm not really a hardcore "enthusiast" like many of you guys on here and don't have time to post. I just love to drive Corvettes and look for honest guidance when having issues because I know following the advice of a dealer isn't always what should be done. Eight years ago I bought a 92 and had issues with the Optispark that looked for guidance on. I had that car for about 6 years, never had any other issues with
that car and sold it, it only had 37,000 on it when I sold it. I decided I missed the car a lot so I just purchased the 98. It has 33,000 on it and got it for a great price, $13,500,
had it inspected by a dealer before I bought it. It just had little things that needed to be
done like this sensor issue and the door lock actuator needed to be replaced. Thanks for your opinions.

 

A lot of people are giving you grief over some simple questions. When I bought mine I didn't know what the previous owner had done either.

I would try retraining them and see if it will function, but you probably have a failing one and possibly the others won't be far behind.

There was a suggestion to do the upgrade to the newer style (2001-2004) TPMS, fobs, and receiver module. I did that to my '99 and it works great. I found some "deals" on the parts. Rock auto has a closeout on the newer type Schrader TPMS for $30.79 ea. Schrader made the OEM ones that came in your car, so they are virtually the same as from GM except the plastic housing (inside the wheel) is orange instead of black and they come with the nuts too. I found key fobs on ebay for $27 for the pair, and I talked a local dealer into a good deal on the receiver. I made the whole swap for about $200. It works good, but the newer style does not have passive key fobs. Your '98 fobs are selectable between passive and active. If you like the passive, the newer type upgrade is not for you.

Although there were several comments about spending money and a Corvette is not the right car if you don't, I don't believe in throwing money away. I like my Corvettes, but I don't see a need to waste the money either.

Good luck.

 

I understand...thanks for that explaination though...
in your case not knowing about how long the sensors have been on your Vette just buy one new one and maybe the others are good to go for a long time...if not then you can always buy the others...just a thought
and btw...don't be shy...you don't have to be a "
Corvette nut" just to participate...your input or comments on other informative posts are welcome...

 

Some people have reported that the aftermarket ones worked for them and others have not. Poor sensors or the wrong sensors? I do not know. I'd say use aftermarket but do a little research on place of purchase and type first.

I see no issue asking if aftermarket ones will work fine. It's rather dumb to spend $100 for a sensor when a $45 sensor works just the same. Some people get fanatical and feel a Corvette "deserves" all new sensors each tire change and must use GM replacement parts ONLY. I'd rather save money where I can, similar to what you are asking.

You're going to spend $X on each sensor and $Y on each wheel to get the sensor installed so doing all 4 at once or one at a time as they fail really doesn't make much difference to the overall cost. However, if you only do 1 now you may get another 2 or 3 years out of the other 3 sensors before another one fails.

 

I would replace the one sensor that is not reading. You can get one on Amazon.com for $72. Discount Tire may even price match (they did for me).

I have a '99 with 115K miles that had one sensor not reading. While trying to train after replacing the sensor, another sensor would not train, so ended up replacing 2 sensors. The other 2 sensors are original, almost 15 years old, and working fine.

 

Not really, i mean today you can get a C5 for less than the price of a 5 year old civic.

 

When I bought my car ( a 2000 w/ 75000 miles) the tires were basically new and the left rear TPS read 0, the other three read normally. Nobody could tell me how old the sensors were, and because of that, the dealer gave me 4 new ones. Before I decided to replace the one, I decided to try and reprogram (relearn) them, and that worked. It's been 3 months and 1500 miles and they are all still working. Although this is anecdotal, before you replace the bad one, see if it will relearn.

 

I AGREE, when I got my 99, some of the wheel sensors were not working, I re-programed them and they worked for three years, unfortunately, my luck is running out.
I would a least give it a try first if you have a good magnet.