How to tell if I have TPMS?
- Thread starter Bftfan
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Bftfan
New member
Got 'em! :thanks:
Kmvreter
New member
Started in '04. Also look for the dash light at startup. Check your owner's manual for what the light looks like. If it's not in the manual then you don't have them. You can also test the system by letting some air out of one wheel (near an air hose in order to refill) while the ignition is on. It should react almost immediately and give you a steady light.
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Nuke
New member
:withstupid:
jcoxrocks
New member
Actually... this isn't always true. Some Toyotas use the speed sensor at each wheel. A change in pressure causes a change in rotational mass and will trigger the light. In the case of a speed sensor TPMS, there is the same old rubber valve stem like anything else. Believe it or not, differences in tread depth can also cause the light with these type systems.
However, I think that all 4Runners use the metal valve stem sensor style TPMS, not a speed sensor style. I could be wrong. Guard these with your life and do NOT let anyone you don't trust mount tires for you. A replacement of a damaged sensor can run you around $300-400 each.
J
TOYLUVA
New member
yea and if the light stays on and your tires have air, dont forget the spare!!! I checked tire preassures 3 times and thought "NOT TOO GOOD I NEED A SENSOR" and then it hit :rockthrow: me. THE SPARE!!!! Sure enough its got a sensor too. and was low on pressure. my question is: if that tire was removed from the vehicle would the system understand that it was not on the vehicle or would the light stay on? even if the 5th sensor was miles away?
Doozi
New member
That's an interesting question! I'm thinking that the system isn't "counting" how many sensors it's reading, it's just looking for a low pressure reading to show up to trigger the warning light. Sounds like I might have to drop my spare and take a spin around the block to see if the light comes on!
The new GM vehicles actually tell you the pressure in each tire... that's pretty nice.
~Doozi
Just discovered I had the TPMS today- the light came on. One tire was low (mid-20s..odd) so that must have triggered it. I inflated all but the spare to 34.
I get new tires soon but I'm sure Discount Tire is used to these by now. What I do need to tell them is to not use too long a socket when removing/installing the lug nuts. That really does a number on the wheels and starts the rusting process. They really effed up my Forester's wheels this way.
I get new tires soon but I'm sure Discount Tire is used to these by now. What I do need to tell them is to not use too long a socket when removing/installing the lug nuts. That really does a number on the wheels and starts the rusting process. They really effed up my Forester's wheels this way.
Just tell them go to slow when removing the lugs with the gun because last time the socket scratched the hell out of your wheels. And yes, Discount/America's Tire is very used to TPMS.
This is true, all 4Runners (and all other toyota's i've worked on, for that matter) have had the metal valve stem type sensors. I'm not sure how exactly you're supposed to guard them with your life, though I agree you should take your vehicle to a reputable shop for tire service as someone who doesn't know what they're doing can very easily break a sensor when dismounting the beads (these things are plastic, after all.) However, a shop that breaks one due to negligence should be replacing it at no cost to you. To replace one that's died or been damaged by Fix-a-flat type products or other means, they're not anywhere near 300-400 each, except maybe at a dealer. I know Autozone sells the sensors for the 4runner at about 150 and Discount/America's Tire can get them at about 100 each, if I remember correctly.
jcoxrocks
New member
Remember, Autozone may sell them, but they have to be programmed to the vehicle's ECM by the dealer. You can't just bolt one on and drive away. The ECM is looking for each sensor using a FCC ID, when one is missing or unreadable the light will blink to indicate failure to communicate with a sensor and store a failure code in the ECM similar to a check engine light. When you replace a sensor, you must program the FCC ID into the ECM using Toyota's Techstream otherwise it will not communicate with the ECM.
J
Uneek
Super Moderator
The sensor is about $100 from the dealer. I read that some tire shops can get a new sensor added by the TMPS computer. It looks exactly the same as Honda's which is about $20-30 from Honda.
What the tire shop needs to do when removing your old tire is unscrew the the outer nut from the TMPS sensor and let the entire sensor fall into the tire/wheel and that will prevent it from being damaged. Toyota has a TSB for the specific installation of where to begin mounting the tire against the rim to prevent the TMPS sensor from being damaged.
What the tire shop needs to do when removing your old tire is unscrew the the outer nut from the TMPS sensor and let the entire sensor fall into the tire/wheel and that will prevent it from being damaged. Toyota has a TSB for the specific installation of where to begin mounting the tire against the rim to prevent the TMPS sensor from being damaged.
This is true, the new sensor must be programmed to work with your vehicle, and I know my favorite tire shop, Discount/America's Tire does this for free.
Removing the nut and dropping the sensor is one way to do it. You can remove the tire with the sensor in place without damage, as long as the person dismounting the tire knows what they're doing.
