TPMS Oddity
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 146
Likes: 71
From: Russellville AR
TPMS Oddity
I have a 2014 Z51. Last night marked the start of my first real road trip in the car, and the 'Service TPMS System' message appeared about 30 miles into the trip.
I switched the DIC to view the tire pressures. The two tires on the passenger side showed normal readings; the two on the driver's side were unavailable.
About 5 minutes later, the back passenger side tire became 'unavailable' as well, and the front passenger side tire flitted in and out as I drove through the evening.
The tire pressures are fine, but the system can't be reset. I followed the procedure listed elsewhere on the forum several times without a different result; the idiot light and error message remain.
I think the odds of three sensors failing at the same time are astronomically high, but I imagine that's the story I'll get when I take the car to the dealer.
The system has been trouble-free until now. Anyone have a guess what the problem might be?
I switched the DIC to view the tire pressures. The two tires on the passenger side showed normal readings; the two on the driver's side were unavailable.
About 5 minutes later, the back passenger side tire became 'unavailable' as well, and the front passenger side tire flitted in and out as I drove through the evening.
The tire pressures are fine, but the system can't be reset. I followed the procedure listed elsewhere on the forum several times without a different result; the idiot light and error message remain.
I think the odds of three sensors failing at the same time are astronomically high, but I imagine that's the story I'll get when I take the car to the dealer.
The system has been trouble-free until now. Anyone have a guess what the problem might be?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 669
From: North Fulton Georgia
This sounds crazy but I have found most "odd" issues like this benefit from disconnecting the battery for a few hours. I've had a few instances where things cleared up. It's a quick and free diagnostic step. YMMV. Good luck.
Last edited by miami08VETTE; Sep 1, 2021 at 04:37 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,175
Likes: 4,015
From: 2019 CMG Z06/ZR1
Easiest step is disconnecting the battery, as mentioned above. Something else to consider is the age of your TPMS. Battery life in those vary wildly, as little as 5 to as long as 15 years.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 146
Likes: 71
From: Russellville AR
I know the sensors are aging, but the odds against all of them playing up at the same time seem pretty steep to me.
I'll certainly try disconnecting the battery and see what happens. Thanks!
I'll certainly try disconnecting the battery and see what happens. Thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
Likes: 9,833
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
How long since your car was put into service. With a 2014 I suspect you are running into issues with the TPMS sensor batteries reaching the end of life. Sensor readings that suddenly become unavailable are usually due to the sensors being dead or the transmitted signal strength not being strong enough to reach the antenna on the car. Programming the TPMS programs the car to recognize the sensors, if there was an issue with the car side of the TPMS you would not be able to intermittently read the one sensor still sending signals to the car. You probably should do some research to see how much a set of 4 sensors will cost you. I usually purchase my sensors from The House of Wheels as he has a very good price and is a forum sponsor.
Bill
Bill
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,620
Likes: 24,867
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
If the battery disconnect doesn’t solve the problem, it very well may be the sensors themselves at the end of their life cycle. May be time for some new ones.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 146
Likes: 71
From: Russellville AR
The battery disconnect didn't help matters.
The dealer says only one sensor can actually be 'read' by their tool. I'm going to order a set from HoW and have them replaced.
I'll let you guys know if the problem persists. Thanks for your input!
The dealer says only one sensor can actually be 'read' by their tool. I'm going to order a set from HoW and have them replaced.
I'll let you guys know if the problem persists. Thanks for your input!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 146
Likes: 71
From: Russellville AR
Just a quick followup: I'm back at the dealer this morning, having all 4 sensors replaced. We'll see if that solves the problem. If it doesn't, I'll report back.
Incidentally, I bought the new sensors from House of Wheels and managed to get them in a week, despite the long Labor Day weekend.
Thanks for all the guidance. I'm always grateful for the resource that is CF.
Incidentally, I bought the new sensors from House of Wheels and managed to get them in a week, despite the long Labor Day weekend.
Thanks for all the guidance. I'm always grateful for the resource that is CF.