My Dealer-less TPMS Tire Change Story

[SamirD]

Good to know that no tools are required! If I'm ever in this situation, I'm going to take the stock sensors and throw them into a PVC canister (aka "TPMS pipe bomb") that can be pressurized and just leave it in the trunk



http://m.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=328044

http://m.scionlife.com/forums/showthrea ... styleid=14

This will actually take more effort than just the relearn with lowering the tire pressures. It literally can be done in about 5 minutes. Just put the car in relearn, lower each one's pressure, check the dash for relearn complete, fill up air again, and drive home. It's probably even faster than with the tool.

If the dealerships figure this out, they'll be kicking themselves for buying that expensive tool for nothing.

[bootymac]

It's mostly so I don't have to deal with/pay for another set of sensors if I rotate between summer and winter wheels

Others have been putting the sensors into a wheelbarrow tire or even their spare tire

[peezi]

Well, the problem was that the error message I got was 'TPMS not registered'. Even the dealership could not get them working. They wanted $1200.00 for new sensors installed. I flipped them the bird and took my car to Discount Tire. They tried several things over a few day period (their store is next door to my office, so no big deal) including scanning 4 news sensors to see what occurred, and the light went out but came on 15 miles later after I drove home for the day, with a new error message 'TPMS requires service'. Once that occurred they knew it was a problem with existing sensors so they installed 4 new sensors into my car for $190.00. They also re-balanced my tires for free when they did this. Problem solved.

I asked for the sensors back, and there were 4 different brands, including 1 OME sensor. Thus the problem, multiple sensor frequencies and the PITA Suzuki relearning scenario.

[SamirD]

It's mostly so I don't have to deal with/pay for another set of sensors if I rotate between summer and winter wheels

Others have been putting the sensors into a wheelbarrow tire or even their spare tire

With as cheap as a set of 4 factory sensors go on ebay and how little effort it is to relearn them now, I think the benefit of the system would be worth it. It does help when you have a tire that is having issues and you don't know it.

[SamirD]

Well, the problem was that the error message I got was 'TPMS not registered'. Even the dealership could not get them working. They wanted $1200.00 for new sensors installed. I flipped them the bird and took my car to Discount Tire. They tried several things over a few day period (their store is next door to my office, so no big deal) including scanning 4 news sensors to see what occurred, and the light went out but came on 15 miles later after I drove home for the day, with a new error message 'TPMS requires service'. Once that occurred they knew it was a problem with existing sensors so they installed 4 new sensors into my car for $190.00. They also re-balanced my tires for free when they did this. Problem solved.

I asked for the sensors back, and there were 4 different brands, including 1 OME sensor. Thus the problem, multiple sensor frequencies and the PITA Suzuki relearning scenario.

Sounds like someone else jacked around with the tpms sensors trying to get the warning to turn off.

Well, you're all set now. Great price for 4 sensors, the relearn, and balancing.

[bootymac]

Side question: at what pressure does the TPMS throw a fit?

[SamirD]

Side question: at what pressure does the TPMS throw a fit?

I believe a drop in pressure of 5lbs or more will instantly trigger them. I remember the exact spec was in the VDO technical documents I downloaded, but don't remember right now. They also trigger when driven at over 5mph. It's because of this spec that I think the pipe/spare tire method may not reliably work on our cars.

Activating the sensors by letting out air worked when air was let out for 5s. I think air drops at about the same maximum speed it can be put in, which I'm guessing would be about 1lb/sec since it matched the spec for triggering the sensor.

[bodhibro]

Thanks again SamirD! I thought for sure I was going to be out >$300 because of the TPMS issue. In three different posts here have I read about Suzuki dealers trying to screw us on this. I was so glad your theory worked, it's been three days and 120 miles on the road since I fixed it myself and no issues at all.

I do have a question though, I'm thinking about changing out my stock wheels for after market wheels. If I use the same tires and sensors I shouldn't have any TPMS problems correct? Of course if I do I know now it's a simple <5 minute fix haha.

[bootymac]

Side question: at what pressure does the TPMS throw a fit?

I believe a drop in pressure of 5lbs or more will instantly trigger them. I remember the exact spec was in the VDO technical documents I downloaded, but don't remember right now. They also trigger when driven at over 5mph. It's because of this spec that I think the pipe/spare tire method may not reliably work on our cars.

If I'm understanding this correctly... The sensors have to be triggered by a tool or pressure drop for the vehicle to "learn" them. Then sensor movement is another condition that has to be met so that the TPMS warning light doesn't come on?

[SamirD]

Thanks again SamirD! I thought for sure I was going to be out >$300 because of the TPMS issue. In three different posts here have I read about Suzuki dealers trying to screw us on this. I was so glad your theory worked, it's been three days and 120 miles on the road since I fixed it myself and no issues at all.

I do have a question though, I'm thinking about changing out my stock wheels for after market wheels. If I use the same tires and sensors I shouldn't have any TPMS problems correct? Of course if I do I know now it's a simple <5 minute fix haha.

So awesome to hear you're rolling without the light and saved so much money! Can you believe how easy that was for $300? You earned the equivlant of $3600/hr in those 5 minutes. :O

That's correct. If you keep the same sensors, the car won't know the difference. You can even change the tires if you want.

Of course, you could even just get a second set of sensors off of ebay and then have two sets of tires and wheels. You know how easy the relearn procedure is, so I doubt that would hinder you in any way when swapping sets.

If I'm understanding this correctly... The sensors have to be triggered by a tool or pressure drop for the vehicle to "learn" them. Then sensor movement is another condition that has to be met so that the TPMS warning light doesn't come on?

I believe this is correct from what I read on the technical documents on the VDO sensors (OEM Suzuki). The VDO sensors triggered with a triggering tool, with a pressure drop of a certain amount over a certain period of time, and by speed over 5mph.

Now, the reason sensors simply don't get recognized automatically is because they go to sleep when the car isn't in motion or they aren't triggered by other means. Hence, if they are going to be in a stationary object that is pressurized, I'm thinking that they will eventually go to sleep and never wake again. And when this happens, the car will detect a missing sensor, and light up 'tpms trouble', even if they are still sensing pressure as they would in an inflated tire.