Got new tires and low pressure warning light will not go out

[arouth]

Hello,

I recently had some new tires put on my 4runner. They told me that the low pressure light would go out after about 30 miles, however it did not.

I took it back today and they could not make the low pressure light go out. The called Toyota and finally told me that it was a problem with the 4runner's computer. So now I have to take it to Toyota to have them look at it at $80 an hour.

Anyone have any ideas on this one?

 

[tomhaney1]

Hello,

I recently had some new tires put on my 4runner. They told me that the low pressure light would go out after about 30 miles, however it did not.

I took it back today and they could not make the low pressure light go out. The called Toyota and finally told me that it was a problem with the 4runner's computer. So now I have to take it to Toyota to have them look at it at $80 an hour.

Anyone have any ideas on this one?

Damn, they probably screwed up your TPS!

 

[dingo]

Who installed your new tires? They could have possibly damaged one or god forbid all of your TPS sensors on the base of the valve stems. Or did they take them out completely? That would be a big no no. I would check if you have your original TPS stems. As always (at the risk of sounding obvious) check your spare too.

 

[tomhaney1]

Who installed your new tires? They could have possibly damaged one or god forbid all of your TPS sensors on the base of the valve stems. Or did they take them out completely? That would be a big no no. I would check if you have your original TPS stems. As always (at the risk of sounding obvious) check your spare too.

Ya, I wholely agree. Take it to Toyota and have them check the system and make sure it is all in place as it should be. Also, you can reset the system by depressing the Reset button (of the odometer controls) while you start the vehicle. Hold the button down, turn the key and continue holding the button for about 5 seconds, give or take. It will reset the system. That is how I get my maintenance indicator off when I change the oil.

PS. You may not actually have to turn the engine over to do this, I can't remember. You may just be able to turn the key to the "on" position.

 

[arouth]

Well I got all new valve stems with the tires and I have tried the reset thing. I reset that maintenance light whenever I get my oil changed

 

[tomhaney1]

Well I got all new valve stems with the tires and I have tried the reset thing. I reset that maintenance light whenever I get my oil changed

I'd bet my ass they screwed something up. Who did you get the tires from?

 

[stroh]

Well I got all new valve stems with the tires and I have tried the reset thing. I reset that maintenance light whenever I get my oil changed

The TPS sensors are located in the valve stems. Did they replace the valve stems with the correct part?

 

[dingo]

It's starting to sound like they took your original stems out if you say you got new stems. The system is trying to "ping" the original stems/sensors that are now removed. You should go back and see if they still have your original valve stems. Do you know if your new stems even have sensors?? If you can't locate your old ones or if the new stems are just regular valve stems without sensors, you might have to buy a new set for all your rims and have them programmed into the ECU by a Toyota stealership so your runner recognizes them properly.

 

[sharp4runr]

What is the behavior of the TPMS light on your dash? Is it blinking? Is it constant on?

If it is blinking, there is a problem with one of the sensors (5 sensors including the spare) or the receiver.

If it is on constantly, then one of the tires is low in air. Check all 5 tires including the spare to see what the PSI is at. I think somebody posted that if one of the tires gets below 27psi, then the light comes on.

If the tire shop ends up breaking part of your TPMS, have Toyota fix it and stick the tire shop with the bill. Their incompetence caused this.

 

[Kmvreter]

Well I got all new valve stems with the tires and I have tried the reset thing. I reset that maintenance light whenever I get my oil changed

Here's your problem. Take it back to the tire shop. Don't let them touch your truck again, they are incompetent. Tell them you want your original stems (with the TPM sensors.) They are expensive to replace. Tell them you are taking them to your Toyota stealer to have them re-installed and you will be sending them the bill. If they don't know how to change a tire with these sensors in this day and age they should learn and pay. They have made a vehicle safety system inoperable.

 

[toto]

sharp4runr is right - before passing judgment, we need to know if the light is solid or blinking.
If it's blinking, a sensor is broke/missing. If it's solid, then a tire is low, and nothing is broke.

 

[Mountaineer]

I think they were full of it when they told you to drive 30 miles before the light would go out. A friend of mine runs a local tire shop and I asked him about all the new TPS systems when I had a tire replaced a couple months ago. He said that they checked the sensors before and after they do any work to make sure they are functioning properly and that none of them get damaged by any of the work they do. He even demonstrated the hand-held tester/reciever they used to check them. It sure is strange that your computer would have a problem right after they replaced your tires and stems. If it's their fault make sure they pay for any repairs that need to be made. Was the tire shop a national chain or local shop?

 

[arouth]

Ok, well the company was Firestone Tire & Service Centers.

The light is not blinking. It is steady and comes on immediately after I start the engine.

I do not know if the new valve stems have a sensor in them. I will ask though. They checked the tire pressure on all 4 and they are at 32 psi exactly.

I'll check the spare tomorow and if that does not work I'll start making some calls.

Thanks for all the help. I'll tell you guys what happens

 

[tomhaney1]

I think they were full of it when they told you to drive 30 miles before the light would go out. A friend of mine runs a local tire shop and I asked him about all the new TPS systems when I had a tire replaced a couple months ago. He said that they checked the sensors before and after they do any work to make sure they are functioning properly and that none of them get damaged by any of the work they do. He even demonstrated the hand-held tester/reciever they used to check them. It sure is strange that your computer would have a problem right after they replaced your tires and stems. If it's their fault make sure they pay for any repairs that need to be made. Was the tire shop a national chain or local shop?

Ya, WTF?? Drive 30 miles or so?? What will that accomplish besides you just getting used to the light being on?!

 

[Kmvreter]

Ok, well the company was Firestone Tire & Service Centers... I do not know if the new valve stems have a sensor in them. I will ask though...

Unless the new stems are metal OEM they won't have sensors. If they did put new sensor stems they would cost as much or more than the tires. The sensors are also serialized and "taught" to function only on your sensor's computer (matched set of 5.) You are getting a steady light because the sensors are within range and telling the computer they sense a low pressure condition (probably because they aren't mounted.) This means the sensors are somewhere in the truck. Maybe they put them in the glovebox or somewhere. If the light is pulsing/blinking it is one of two things. Either immediately (computer issue) or after exactly 60 minutes of engine on time (the sensors are out of range.) Doesn't sound like either of these are your issue. Get your old stems back and have a reputable shop install them (preferably the stealer in this case) and send the bill to Firestone. They should know better.

 

[Kmvreter]

Ya, WTF?? Drive 30 miles or so?? What will that accomplish besides you just getting used to the light being on?!

It got him 30 miles away from their shop!
The whole point of the system is to warn the driver of a potentially hazardous situation of a low pressure tire. The sensors react immediately to low pressure. The 30 mile story is another reason to not let them touch your truck again. Let the Firestone store manager know your displeasure. His employees need training.

 

[Paul2660]

Did you ever check the spare?

As someone else posted, did you check your spare? That can be it.

My limited understanding of this system is that if the actual valve stems with the sensors were taken out, then your dash warning light would blink, as it is unable to connect with one or more of the valve stem sensors.

If the light is solid, it's making a connection, but one tire is low. That points to the spare and if it's 1 PSI below where the cut off is, it will set the system off.

PFC

 

[arouth]

Ok, well here is the latest and greatest.

I had all 4 tires plus the spare checked and they are all good on the tire pressure.

I did some asking around about the valve stems and finally called the firestone dealership.

They said that there was no way they could have pulled out the valve stems in my 4runner b/c they were connected to my Tire Pressure system. Then I asked why I was charged for new valve stems.....now i'm getting a refund for about $16 from them.

I'm going to have them look at the valve stems when I take it in, and if that fails I'll take it toyota and have them look at it again. If I find out that they messed it up, then I'm talking to the manager and sending them the bill.

 

[toto]

Sounds like you need to take it to a Toyota dealer to figure out what's going on. They can put their handheld scan tool on the truck and read whether or not each transmitter is working and what the computer thinks the psi is in each tire. If the light is blinking, then it registered a DTC code indicating the nature of the problem.

 

[qballjr13]

BTW...What kind of tires did you have put on?