2004 Tire Pressure Monitoring System

[Hunter450]

Last weekend I picked up my 04 4Runner. On the first week of ownership I noticed the low tire pressure symbol blinking on my dash. I got home let the tires cool down and checked the pressure in all tires including the spare. All tires were at 35 psi +/- a pound. I called the service dept at dealership and they claimed the cold outside temperature was creating the reason for the monitor system to think there is a tire pressure problem. The technician said to lower the pressure in the tires on the ground to 31 psi and the spare to 29 psi. He said the spare tire will pick up heat from the exhaust tail pipe enough to raise the spare tire pressure a couple of pounds. Is Anyone else with 04's experiencing this? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[sharp4runr]

Hmmm, never heard of that but I've only had my Runner for about 3 weeks now. It's been very cold here in Virginia because of the little winter storm we got and my tire pressure monitor hasn't blinked at all. Truthfully I think they are yanking your chain. It's under warranty so have them fix it.

 

[Thai]

Never heard of that problem. The dealer's recommendation does NOT make sense. The Toyota system detects DIFFERENCES in the tire pressures. Cold weather should cause uniform pressure changes in all tires. I am not sure if the spare has even a sensor (i could be wrong).

Sounds strange....

 

[leftyrb]

During a cold spell a few weeks ago, the TPMS lamp illuminated. I waited a few days and checked the tire pressure, all were about 27 psi. Once inflated to 32 psi, the lamp went out. We again had cold weather the past few days (down to -40 wit wind chill) and no problems with the TPMS.

I believe the system works by sending a radio frequency signal to the computer and if any of the 5 tires is below a specified pressure the lamp comes on. I am soon to install steel rims with dedicated winter tires for the remainder of the season, and expect that the lamp will either flash or light constantly, as I am not buying another set of expensive TPMS valves.

 

[Hunter450]

TPMS

Last night I lowered the pressure in all 5 tires down to 32 psi and the light still flashed. I check the pressures this morning after a 35 degree overnight sit. The tires dropped another 1/2 psi. I think I read the owners manual correct that the indicator should remain on constantly if tires are low, however mine flashes and I think it says to have dealer check. If anyone has a manual could you verify this? I don't have my manual with me.
Also, the service tech said at the dealership that they have received other complaints and Toyota is trying to look into a computer program change. Nothing they can do presently.
"OH WHAT A FEELING TOYOTA"

 

[leftyrb]

If the lamp flashes, you should check with the dealer. When mine was down to 27 psi, the lamp was on steady. Inflating to 32, the light went out.

Post what the dealer tells you, as it may be a defective sensor.

Thanks

 

[NoDak]

well the last 2 weeks the temp here have been between -10 to -30 ambient temp (-25 to -60 windchill) and the light has never come on.

 

[SE4runner]

My tire pressure blinker went on the very night I bought my 04 4runner. I took it back, and they spent 5 and half hours on it (they said it would take 15 minutes).

 

[Hunter450]

TPMS

Hey SE4Runner,
Did your dealership give you any explanation? I haven't taken mine back in yet. It would save time if I could give them some direction.

Thanks

 

[leftyrb]

TPMS

Last weekend, I had steel Toyota rims installed with a set of dedicated winter tires, and regular rubber valves. The dealer told me that the TPMS would either stay on all the time, or it would flash, due to not sensor equipped valves.

In actuality, the light never came on at all, except for the remaining 15 minutes of a highway trip on Wednesday, where it flashed. The next morning, it did not come on again at all.

I am curious as to how the system works, and to explain erratic behaviour of both mine and others. Any theories?

 

[SE4runner]

Re: TPMS

The salesman initially said they forgot to reset the blinker control, and that it would only take about 15 minutes. The first mechanic said they had to do a full test of the electrical system (tire pressure blinker and all). They couldn't find what was causing it, so they had to move it to another station, which required them to call in a mechanic that specializes in that particular area.

It was fixed after about 5 1/2 hours, but I didn't really get a clear cut answer as to what was causing it (I was getting 2nd-hand info through my salesman). All he said was that the blinker mechanism had to be reset, and it was completely fixed. Sorry, I know this probably doesn't answer your question.

Hey SE4Runner,
Did your dealership give you any explanation? I haven't taken mine back in yet. It would save time if I could give them some direction.

Thanks

 

[tooxshort]

I actually had the same exact problem RIGHT from the test drive ... they did use the "forgot to reset the blah blah blah" excuse on me, but I took it back the next day and it stopped blinking, but lo n behold! THE LIGHT IS BACK ON AFTER JUST 1300 MILES!! WOOHOO!! So, I guess there's definitely a sensor problem. I took it to a gas station with a broken air pump and the low pressure light just stayed steady, so, yes, if the air pressure is too low, it'll be steady. However, don't mind the blinking and just drive it normally, take it to the dealer if you can ... I made the mistake of buying from a dealer 50 miles away! Damn them!! But yeah, I'm hoping they replace the sensor completely rather than just clearing the code like they did last time. (And I better get free gas too!)

Eric

 

[dcampen]

Warranty repair.

take it to the dealer if you can ... I made the mistake of buying from a dealer 50 miles away!

Seems like it would be a warranty repair now. Couldn't you take it to any dealer? Tell them it used to work, now it doesn't and you want it fixed.

 

[tooxshort]

As far as I know, I'm not allowed to take it to just any dealer. But I'll look at my records and maybe I can bring it to one much closer ... You've got me thinking ... heh

 

[tooxshort]

Okay, thanks a bunch! I just found out I could take it to any dealer... now that's a relief...I guess I don't know much about owning new cars since I was driving the same old 91 tercel for the longest... haha

E

 

[leftyrb]

The TPMS is a strange system. A few posts up, you will note that I installed steel rims with rubber valves for dedicated winter tires. The only tire with a sensor is the spare. For over a month, the tire pressure light did not come on, but it started to flash last weekend. I was on a highway trip. The next day, I lowered the spare to check the air pressure, it was fine, but the valve assembly was muddy from road dirt. I raised the tire, drove off, and the light has yet to come on!

 

[mswscco]

Never heard of that problem. The dealer's recommendation does NOT make sense. The Toyota system detects DIFFERENCES in the tire pressures. Cold weather should cause uniform pressure changes in all tires. I am not sure if the spare has even a sensor (i could be wrong).

Sounds strange....

Do you mean differences in tire rotation through the ABS? My light came on at around 2 weeks so the next morning I checked the pressures and the spare was up around 50 psi. Let some air out and haven't seen the light since, so leads me to believe each tire's - including the spare's - pressure is individually monitored. Guess it could be coincidence too, since the light didn't come on during those first two weeks.

 

[leftyrb]

I have read that there are two types of Tire Pressure Monitoring systems. One type is based on ABS, and I recall that the RAV4 had that style. I recall that the 4Runner was believed to have the 'direct' system, and I believe that each wheel emits a radio frequency signal to the computer. In the case of my spare tire (which has the sensor), I believe a build up of dirt affected the radio signal. By checking the air pressure, I dislodged dirt and the light has not came on since.

Baffling is that the dealer indicated that the light would either flash or stay on constant with rubber valves. That does not appear to be the case. I surmise that the system will only display a tire pressure fault when the wheels are equipped with the sensors - no sensor, no radio signal.

Any other theories welcome.

 

[SE4runner]

Today, I went up to the mountains to enjoy some snow. The blinker went back on and won't turn off again!

I am not going back to the dealership and wait another 6 hours to get this thing turned off!!! Argh!!! I'm going to open up the dang thing and take out the tiny light bulb that makes it blink. :50cal:

 

[NoDak]

here is another thread on the TMS.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2795

the sensors have a radio transmitter in them.

price would have to found at a dealer.

page 185 of manual:

system malfunction

1. electric devices or facilities using similar radio wave freq. are nearby
2. a radio set to similar freq. is in use
3. a lot of snow or ice covers the vehicle, in paricular, around the wheels or wheel housings
4. tires not equipped with an air pressure sensor
5. snow tires or tire chains are used
6. non genuine toyota wheels are not used

so 3rd party rims may cause your TMS to report erratic tire pressure depending on the type of metal used in the construction of the rim, if i read that correctly.

if you have packed snow in the wheel wells or around the spare you may get erractic sensor readings.