when the TPMS shows XX for the pressure at a particular tire, that means the sensor is not transmitting. When you break the tire down, is there a way to test whether the sensor is good before re-mounting the tire and reprogramming the system?

 

it actually means the system is not receiving a signal from that tire, and the car is put in limp mode

probably means the sensor is kaput, but to be sure I would try to program each tire again before breaking down tire, computer systems are not fail proof.

 

Put the vehicle into the "learn mode" and use a TPMS reset tool so the RCDLRM can reset or re-learn the tire pressure sensors. Then, if this corrects the problem, you are good to go. If not, you may need to replace the TPS that is still reading "XX".

 

"XX psi" does not mean that there is anything at all wrong with the sensor.

It may be transmitting perfectly normally.

What it does mean is that the TPMS (like calemasters says, it's actually part of the Remote Control Door Lock Receiver Module) is not receiving transmissions from the sensors with the ID#'s that are logged into its memory.

That may be because:

1. The sensor is inop
2. The TPMS is messed up
3. THE SENSORS AREN'T PROPERLY REGISTERED WITH THE TPMS

If ALL of your sensors are indicating "XX psi" then it's most likely #3, with #2 a distant possibility.

If ONE of your sensors is indicating "XX psi" then it's probably #1.

If you have a tire sensor reset tool you can do a diagnostic check with almost all of them except for perhaps the most very basic and simplest ones.

All tire shops will have a tool. Discount Tire is very good about checking sensors or doing a relearn procedure for free.

It's a very good idea to check your sensors before you get your tires worked on - that way the shop can't claim that it wasn't working when you brought it in, so it's your fault and not theirs that it's not working after they mount up new tires. The shop will usually do this to CTA (Cover Their Azz).

Below are a couple videos of using a couple different tools on sensors to do a diagnostic check to see how they're working. Some tools may beep or blink a light, and the higher end tools with a screen will show the sensor's ID# and perhaps the strength of the sensor's internal battery.

Bob





Click here to view a youtube video showing a couple other tools doing diagnostic checks on a sensor



.

 

Discount tire actually wants 25 bucks to reset the sensors. Not bad, beats a hundo for the tool.

 

Wow!!!

That's the first Discount Tire that I've heard of that charges to do the one minute procedure!!

My local DT has a sign in their waiting area that says "we fix flats for free", and they have repaired about 3 punctured runflats for me for free.

I take all my tire work to my local DT.

I have my own tool for resetting the sensors. I'm swapping wheels pretty regularly. I've got polished and chrome wheels for the street and painted with my track tires - they all have sensors, so I need to do the relearn procedure fairly often.

Bob

 

Thanks for that video. Very informative. I'm going to have my sensors switched over to new wheels and tires next week, after they arrive. I'm afraid to drop them off just anywhere to be mounted because the sensors have to go back to their same positions, don't they?

 

When you do the initial programming procedure, the sensor ID#'s are logged into the TPMS memory. During the procedure, the first sensor triggered is logged in as the Left Front sensor, the second as the RF, the third as the RR, and the last one as the LR - that's why you do them in that order.

So, if you get new tires and remount them in different locations from where they were originally located, they'll still work fine. However, when the DIC says "RF 20 psi" it might actually be talking about the LR.

When you get your new tires mounted up, if they note which corner each sensor came from and put them back on that corner nothing at will have to be done - the sensor ID#'s are already in the TPMS memory for the proper corner where they're mounted. If they mix them up then they'll just do a relearn procedure like in that video.

Take a look at this other thread in the "General" section of the forum for pretty much the same info we're discussing here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...3387-tpsm.html

Bob

 

I got ridiculous prices of $40-$50 per wheel, just to remove my TPMS sensors. Then I would have to pay another $200 to have them installed in a new set of wheels and tires I have. So I think I did the smart thing and just ordered 4 new (GM) TPMS's from Bob at House of Wheels. It's worth the $200 to keep the old set whole and just sell it complete, with sensors. .