Greetings all, I am seeking advice on what to do about TPMS sensors. I recently obtained a 2000 C5 vert from a forum member (A4; arctic white/torch red, 35K miles, in great condition). I discovered that the front tires were 10 years old, and a different brand than the rears, and decided to replace the whole set. I also wanted to replace the TPMS sensors (figuring that at least 2 were 10 years old), so ordered a set from RockAuto (Schrader 28006) and brought them to the tire store to swap in. They mounted the sensors but said they could not program them with their scan tool, and I said that was OK since I'd found out the relearn procedure (from this forum and would do it myself. Unfortunately, I couldn't program the Schrader TPMS sensors, even using very strong magnets (from my brother, an engineer, who assured me they were quite strong). 0 for 4 tires. I later tried to program the old TPMS sensors, and it worked easily for 2 of the 4 old sensors (maybe the other 2 were the 10 year old ones and just gave up the ghost). I know now that I should have programmed the new TPMS sensors before getting them mounted in the tires. My question is how to proceed from here? I could buy 2 more Schrader 28006 or even OEM's (tho same thing, right?), and program them before installation (and use them with the 2 old TPMS sensors that did program), using the magnet procedure. Or I could buy an aftermarket set of 4 (using a members link to tpm247.com, the TPMS are iM brand, part 4219), which can apparently be programmed with the sensor tool they use at Discount Tire, and no magnet. Either way, I would swap out the new Schrader TPMS sensors and see if I could return them. Any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated; thanks! -Fred

 

When I bought my magnet from Lowe's I bought a hook hanger that had a magnet that measured 1.75 in dia. and it was .25 thick with a .75 hole which allows it to fit over the valve stem. The magnet will pop out of the metal hangar housing very easily. This worked perfectly I had no problems at all, make sure you put it over the valve stem.

Mike

 

Or an old speaker magnet.

 

Did you use a donut shaped magnet and place it over the valve stems?

 

I guess the first question I would ask is if you took any photos of the new sensors? If not, did you check the date codes? New may not mean "new", as in dead batteries off the shelf. I found you don't have to go wild with the magnet, so am suspicious of the sensors you bought. I don't do business with RockAuto anymore, bought a new water pump for a different vehicle and it leaked three weeks after installation. They wouldn't honor the GM warranty and told me to buy a new one. I did, but I bought it from Amazon!

 

I agree with vettenuts regarding Rock Auto. I am getting rid of the older run-flats on my 2004 Convertible and going with non run-flats. I am going to change out all 4 TPMS sensors. I researched the internet for pricing on Schrader sensors, who make the original AC Delco sensor. Rock Auto had an unbelievably low price compared to everyone else. Their price was almost 50% less. I was skeptical and wondered if it was old stock they were trying to unload. Ended up buying from Amazon who I bought from when I owned a 2001 Convertible. Those sensors programmed immediately and I never had any problems with them.

 

Something to try... I replaced the original sensors (21 years old) with AC/Delco brand. I had what I thought was a strong magnet and had new tires installed with the sensors. I told the mechanic that I'd relearn them at home. I did the procedure and was successful with two... So tried all over again and same result. I then ordered a tire sensor magnet - very strong circular with a hole to fit over the valve - and tried again. This time 3 out of 4 worked. I then researched this forum and found that if you drive the car for two minutes at around 50, the sensor will program. It worked... All four work flawlessly. GOOD LUCK!

 

Yes, I wonder if the TPMS sensors are old stock - the price for all 4 from RockAuto was too good to be true ($99 for all 4). I may have to buy another set (perhaps from a different vendor), and program them before getting them installed. Thanks for your feedback! -Fred

 

Thanks; I may try driving around to see if the sensors will program; I saw somewhere that sometimes wheel spin or tire pressure deflating will trigger the programming....

 

No, used a set of rectangular magnets supplied by my brother, who assured me they were very strong. Though they didn't program the new TPMS sensors on the wheels, the magnets easily programmed 2 of the 4 old TPMS sensors I had saved.

 

Unfortunately, I did not look closely at the new sensors before handing them over to the tire shop, so it's certainly possible they were old (perhaps it's why they were being sold so cheaply - $99 for a set of 4 Schrader 28006). If I buy any more TPMS sensors, it will be from a different vendor, and I'll be sure to inspect them closely. Thanks for the feedback! -Fred

 

I used a magnet out of an automatic transmission pan; free, plenty strong, and each TPS perked right up with it. Went around the car in sequence listing to the horn honk. Also found out recently that they don't read on the DIC unless you're at 15mph plus and sometimes (if they are reluctant to report) a quick 50mph+ up the freeway puts them back in line.

 

you can program them while mounted just fine - just did a set of schraders in june with a round magnet around the stem.
went around in sequence with success on first try.

 

Normally those sensors are $45 - $50 each, so I suspect you have a quality issue. They may never program, regardless how strong the magnet. Are you sure they weren’t some Schrader knock-off?

 

I received the Schrader 20117 sensors for my 2004 Convertible today that I ordered from Amazon. They were shipped from Tire Supply Warehouse. I checked the manufacture date on the small clock stamped on the sensors. All 4 were manufactured in January 2019. Will be installed next week along with my new Continental DWS 06 non run flat tires. Can’t wait to get rid of my older Goodyear run flat tires.

 

Thanks to all who responded to my post, the feedback was very much appreciated. I ended up buying the donut-shaped magnet off Amazon (a $15 "knockoff" of the $29 Schrader magnet) and used it to program the new Schrader 28006 TPMS sensors in the tires. It worked like a charm and took perhaps 5-10 seconds per tire. I've never felt so thrilled to hear 4 horn beeps! When I took the car out, the tire pressures registered correctly. I'll have to tell my brother (who gave me a first set a rectangular magnets to try and assured me they were quite strong-since he's an engineer at Boeing, I took his word for it), that his "strong" magnets were not "Corvette" strong. Thanks again, everyone!

 

Glad you got it worked out

 

mine worked just fine