TPMS Problems
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 304
Likes: 19
From: Valley AL
TPMS Problems
On my 2008 C6 Corvette I am having problems with my TPMS. The tire monitor is showing XXX Lbs(not working properly) on the left front, the other three work fine. Is there a quick fix for this or is the best route to get it repaired/replaced? Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Likely a dead wheel sensor but obviously no way to be sure when guessing here.
You could go to some place like Discount Tire and ask if they would try to reprogram all the sensors for you. If they can't get that one to register then it's clearly dead. If you need a new one, they could do it for you. I would suggest you consider replacing all 4 at the same time. Your car is (possibly) 8 years old now which is getting close to the life expectancy of the sensor batteries. And just for info, they don't have to take the tires off the wheels to change sensors, just have to break the bead on the sensor side and push the tire sidewall down enough to get at the sensors and change them. You should buy one, or four, new sensor(s) and associated rebuild kit(s) which includes a new nut and o-ring.
You could go to some place like Discount Tire and ask if they would try to reprogram all the sensors for you. If they can't get that one to register then it's clearly dead. If you need a new one, they could do it for you. I would suggest you consider replacing all 4 at the same time. Your car is (possibly) 8 years old now which is getting close to the life expectancy of the sensor batteries. And just for info, they don't have to take the tires off the wheels to change sensors, just have to break the bead on the sensor side and push the tire sidewall down enough to get at the sensors and change them. You should buy one, or four, new sensor(s) and associated rebuild kit(s) which includes a new nut and o-ring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 5,463
Likes: 1,138
From: Chino CA
My left front has done that twice. First time I took it to Discount tire and they checked it and said it was fine. Not sure what they did (if anything) but it was reading 32psi when I left there. No charge by the way. A new TPMS was going to run $79 but I didn't need it. About a month later it did the same thing. By the time I got home it was working again and has been fine for the last 6 months.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,629
Ditto, discount tire to reprogram the TPMS system (they will do it for free, or would be a good time to buy a TPMS trigger tool so you can do it yourself), but if the TPMS is dead (dead battery), then just pick up 4 New OEM TPMS and have them replaced in all the tires.
The OEM unit battieries will last a lot longer than the after market units (some after market unit batteries die in less than a year), and if one of the TPMS batteries is on the way out or dead, the other three TMPS batteries will be shortly following suit.
As for a place to buy 4 new TPMS,
http://www.cultragfactoryparts.com/
As for installing the units, if you don't have a life time balance on the tires, discount would be a good place to have the tire pulled, install the TPMS, then and have the tires road forced balanced when they are put back on. Tires are only warrantied for so long since they can go out of round, and with a road force balance, the slightly out of round tire can be installed on the rims to try to ground true then up on the rim better during the road balancing.
The OEM unit battieries will last a lot longer than the after market units (some after market unit batteries die in less than a year), and if one of the TPMS batteries is on the way out or dead, the other three TMPS batteries will be shortly following suit.
As for a place to buy 4 new TPMS,
http://www.cultragfactoryparts.com/
As for installing the units, if you don't have a life time balance on the tires, discount would be a good place to have the tire pulled, install the TPMS, then and have the tires road forced balanced when they are put back on. Tires are only warrantied for so long since they can go out of round, and with a road force balance, the slightly out of round tire can be installed on the rims to try to ground true then up on the rim better during the road balancing.
Last edited by Dano523; Feb 10, 2015 at 05:28 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,973
Likes: 463
From: Tonawanda New York
I got the same thing on my 10' GS last summer, my tire guy put in a new sensor took 20 minutes they don't even take tire off the wheel just break the bead. Just before I stored the car for winter I got the XX on another wheel. So this spring I'm having the other 3 wheels done.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Lyles TN
I had something similar happen when I had my battery disconnected for a couple of days. My left front and right rear TPMS were not working. I disconnected and reconnected the battery a couple of times and the sensor information showed back up. I do believe mine probably have a weak battery at this point and the computer was probably not picking up the signal. I'll be installing new sensors the next time I get new tires. Hope this info helps.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 304
Likes: 19
From: Valley AL
Thanks everyone for the great advise!
When they reprogram the TPMS can you change the air pressure to what ever you want it?The reason I ask is I run drag radials on the back and like to run 26-28 lbs of air in them.In the heat of the summer 28 lbs is great on the street but when it gets a little cooler 26 lbs works better.Some have told me the low tire indicator does not come on there;s till the pressure gets below 25 lbs,but mine comes on at 28 lbs.It would be nice to fix both problems at the same time.Thanks again everyone for the great advice!
When they reprogram the TPMS can you change the air pressure to what ever you want it?The reason I ask is I run drag radials on the back and like to run 26-28 lbs of air in them.In the heat of the summer 28 lbs is great on the street but when it gets a little cooler 26 lbs works better.Some have told me the low tire indicator does not come on there;s till the pressure gets below 25 lbs,but mine comes on at 28 lbs.It would be nice to fix both problems at the same time.Thanks again everyone for the great advice!
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Joined: Apr 2010
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I had something similar happen when I had my battery disconnected for a couple of days. My left front and right rear TPMS were not working. I disconnected and reconnected the battery a couple of times and the sensor information showed back up. I do believe mine probably have a weak battery at this point and the computer was probably not picking up the signal. I'll be installing new sensors the next time I get new tires. Hope this info helps.