Tire or sensor problem?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Temecula CA
Tire or sensor problem?
I recently posted a thread about a tire sensor problem I had 2 weeks ago. Thought it was a glitch, but have been having some issues since then that makes me wonder what's going on. The original post stated that I received a "Low Tire Pressure Right Front Tire" message, but when checked the pressure was 36 (hot) and 30 (cold). A few of you said it could be a glitch because 36 was high not low. Since then received other messages on the same right tire; 1) High Pressure Right Front; 2) Low Pressue Right Front; and finally last night - 3) Right Front Tire is Flat - Max speed 55 - reduced handling. I checked the tire and it wasn't flat nor did it drive like it was flat. Also checked the pressure when I got home and it was 33 psi. All of these messages occurred while making a LEFT turn. Has anyone had any issues like this? Is it a bad sensor? Is it a bad tire? What does the fix entail? Will I need to leave it at the dealership? I don't want someone at the dealer joy-riding in my car to test it before or after a fix. I appreciate any help you can provide.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,837
Likes: 4
Once may be a glitch, four times is something broken.
My money would be on the sensor, as the problems are all related to one wheel. If the tire has normal pressure when checked with another gauge then I'm sure its fine. And its hard to see how the car's receiver would have a problem with one sensor and not the others.
The fix is almost certainly going to be replacing the sensor. That's not difficult, but it does require removing the tire from the wheel - or at least breaking the bead, which is pretty much the same as removing it. And of course that involves putting the car on a lift, re-balancing the tire, re-torquing the wheel, etc.
You could have your dealer try re-training the car's receiver to the sensors before replacing it. That takes two minutes and doesn't require the car to be put on a lift or anything removed. They set the receiver to "learn" mode, then use a special tool (actually a little radio transmitter) to tell each sensor to introduce itself to the car. The same tool can be used to diagnose the sensor, however if you've got an intermittant problem (triggered by vibration or something like that) that may not tell them much.
Actually, as you've observed that the problem happens while turning left, you have a head start on that - get the tech to ride along with the sensor tool while you duplicate the manuevers that caused the problem, or apply a similar force to the wheel (maybe remove it and set it face down?).
As far as leaving it at the dealership, that sort of depends on if you're able to schedule an appointment for a specific time and wait for the car. I'd do that if in any doubt about how they'll treat your car.
One possiblity, of course, is that they'll have to order the part, and give you some sort of nonsense about the car not being safe to drive while waiting for it, so they have to keep it until the part comes in, it may be a week, yada yada ..
If you want to short-circuit that you could always order a sensor from one of the forum parts vendors (like http://www.gmpartshouse.com/) and have it in your pocket just in case! They run about $50, and you'll want to order the special nut with it (another $3 or so). Of course the down side to this is that you've paid $50-something plus shipping for a part that should be repaced under warranty.
My money would be on the sensor, as the problems are all related to one wheel. If the tire has normal pressure when checked with another gauge then I'm sure its fine. And its hard to see how the car's receiver would have a problem with one sensor and not the others.
The fix is almost certainly going to be replacing the sensor. That's not difficult, but it does require removing the tire from the wheel - or at least breaking the bead, which is pretty much the same as removing it. And of course that involves putting the car on a lift, re-balancing the tire, re-torquing the wheel, etc.
You could have your dealer try re-training the car's receiver to the sensors before replacing it. That takes two minutes and doesn't require the car to be put on a lift or anything removed. They set the receiver to "learn" mode, then use a special tool (actually a little radio transmitter) to tell each sensor to introduce itself to the car. The same tool can be used to diagnose the sensor, however if you've got an intermittant problem (triggered by vibration or something like that) that may not tell them much.
Actually, as you've observed that the problem happens while turning left, you have a head start on that - get the tech to ride along with the sensor tool while you duplicate the manuevers that caused the problem, or apply a similar force to the wheel (maybe remove it and set it face down?).
As far as leaving it at the dealership, that sort of depends on if you're able to schedule an appointment for a specific time and wait for the car. I'd do that if in any doubt about how they'll treat your car.
One possiblity, of course, is that they'll have to order the part, and give you some sort of nonsense about the car not being safe to drive while waiting for it, so they have to keep it until the part comes in, it may be a week, yada yada ..
If you want to short-circuit that you could always order a sensor from one of the forum parts vendors (like http://www.gmpartshouse.com/) and have it in your pocket just in case! They run about $50, and you'll want to order the special nut with it (another $3 or so). Of course the down side to this is that you've paid $50-something plus shipping for a part that should be repaced under warranty.
