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Hi all - had this issue for way too long and I’m out of ideas. I had new tires put on a while ago, and a few months following that, I got the “service tire pressure system” error. Two of the tires are showing the correct PSI (front left and rear left), but both rights are showing xxx.
It’s possible the sensors are both dead but I would guess that we’re just having a pairing issue and I need to reset the TPMS sensors. However, I’ve bought all manner of magnets but none appear able to trigger the first sensor (front left) during pairing mode. It’s particularly odd because that tire pressure is still sending that tire pressure to the cabin, so I know that sensor is actually still working. See attached pic.
Here’s what I have purchased and tried: - shrader TPMS magnet - multiple rare earth “strong” magnets - two “strong” magnet retrieval tools - cheap TPMS reset tool on Amazon
I put it on pair mode, try and try and try, but can’t get the horn to beep and can’t get it to move onto the next sensor. The C5 has aftermarket wheels that another owner put on, which interfere a bit with getting the shrader magnet around the valve. But I would have thought that some combination of all of these magnets would have triggered it. The magnets seem really strong. I have included a pic of the wheels here.
I gave up and took it to a Firestone to see if they could just quickly reset it. They used a fancier looking tool but after 10 minutes, the guy said he was unable to get any signal out of the TPMS sensor on the front left wheel. Which again, doesn’t really make sense because somehow the car is reading that tire pressure for the front left wheel. Firestone had two thoughts; one is that the sensors may be aftermarket and function differently (??). And the other was to take it to a dealership and see if they have other tools.
I guess I don’t mind taking it to another shop and maybe just getting 4 new sensors, but I feel like there’s gotta be something basic I’m missing here. Just can’t quite figure it out. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, let me know!
Just a wild suggestion, but - Way back when I had a early Avalanche. Same tire sequence, but instead of a magnet, you would let air out of the valve stem until it transmitted the change and registered the tire. Easy to try, but absolutely no guarantee implied.
Good Luck - Tom
I am not an expert by any means but if they were working and then 2 of them stopped working, it sounds like the sensors have dead batteries or have failed.
As far as the magnet goes, if it worked on your first tire then I would expect it to work on all of them. I found that a magnet from one of those magnetic parts trays works just fine. i’d guess it is about 2 to 2 1/2 inches in diameter.
On my 1999, when the sensors have not been triggered, I get nothing in the display other that the Front/Rear and R/L. I do not get xxx.
Last edited by bookyoh; Aug 23, 2023 at 07:20 PM.
Reason: Typo
TPMS sensors just won’t pair
