Thank you so much, I will price the Denso sensors! I just ordered the ATF T-IV on Amazon, do you think the ATF may be counterfeit? I couldn't find it at any of the dealers near me. I don't know if they're going to stop making it. Which ATF do you use in yours?
Pink Fluid Leak Near Rear Passenger Wheel
- Thread starter Ali0227
- Start date
Thank you so much, I will price the Denso sensors! I just ordered the ATF T-IV on Amazon, do you think the ATF may be counterfeit? I couldn't find it at any of the dealers near me. I don't know if they're going to stop making it. Which ATF do you use in yours?
AuSeeker
Elite Member
I have never heard of any petroleum products being counterfeited, I would use ether OEM or any high quality product that meets OEM standards.
Just an FYI not all products sold on eBay or Amazon are counterfeit, for the most part many are not...eBay nor Amazon make any of the products that are sold so it all comes down to the actual vendor's reputation.
On the sensors, do I need to buy two service kits for 5 tires., it says quantify 4 for one kit .Also, is there a way to deactivate the sensor for the spare tire that will allow the tpms system to work properly? I recall a few times the light would go on b/c the spare needed more air.
Have you had problems finding the ATF T-IV? The dealers near me don't stock it and not sure if they're going to get anymore in, so I bought some on Amazon.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
You don't want a "Service Kit" that's only has O-rings, etc. and won't make a bad sensor work again, you need a totally new sensor, if you buy a set of 4 sensors, you will need to buy a single sensor as well for the spare, also you will of course have to pay someone to install the sensors and also to program them unless the sensor comes preprogrammed.
As far as deleting the spare sensor it maybe possible by using a TPMS programing scanner.
I took a look at Rock Auto and the Denso's are already programmed! Thank again for all the info, really appreciate it!
SurferUK
Member
You won't have the brand there but I used Motul fully synthetic ATF in this one and a previous one with the A750F 5 speed. It was certified for both (IV and WS). I think I read people have good experience with Valvoline ATF.
I've never seen anything that convinced me WS fluid was about anything more than trying eek out the last few 0.xxMPG from fuel, the same as 0w20 p*sswater oil. Which is why all my vehicles get 5w30 still.
The gearbox in this works a lot harder than the one in the 4.0 as the smaller engine has to correspondingly shift at higher RPMs under load, and shift more often. It shifts perfectly still ~2 years after changing the fluid in there (No idea how old it was it didn't look too bad)
ArthurKotb
Member
All of the non-Toyota shops I went to didn't have the Toyota Techstream software to program the Denso sensors but they would sell me a different brand. Toyota service wanted an unreasonable amount to replace all 5.
I wanted Denso so I bought 5 off of Amazon and a programming tool. I did have to pay a Firestone dealer to install, mount the tire and balance it again. Then I used my $200 tool to write to the ECM, replacing the old Denso sensors. That $200 tool has been very handy for checking tire pressures before a trip or even to find out which tire is low when the TPMS light comes on.
When ordering parts on Amazon I always buy from a Toyota dealership. I also use the official Toyota online parts store to look up parts and then compare prices at the Toyota dealership parts departments. I've never had a bad part sent to me. 403 Forbidden
ArthurKotb
Member
I didn't have to program the sensors, just install in the tire and then inflate. The ECR in the vehicle has to be updated with the codes on the new sensors. BTW, be sure to write down the codes from each sensor or you'll be deflating the tires again. I took a picture of each before they were installed
I bought the ATF on Amazon and when I added to cart said Amazon was buyer and seller. Looked at label and it was from a company called Fleet Services. I think I might return it since I am able to get it from a dealer, just a little further away from me, but don't mind. I'm totally clueless about the oil weights. Do you think after all these years of using conventional engine oil I can switch to synthetic; or if it ain't broke don't fix it?
On the TPMS, since I can buy it from Rock Auto already programmed, is a tool still required for the ECM? I think it's a great price pre programmed but not if I have to buy a $200 tool on top of it. I wouldn't get a lot of use out of it and I don't mind using the pencil tire gauge to check pressure to see which tire is low. However, I am tired of checking pressure periodically without the TPMS.
Sorry, I misundertsood your post; I'm a little ditzy sometimes:doh:. So the programming tool is required, correct and only the dealerships have it or I would have to buy it to have my mechanic program the sensor with the ECU or ECR? Are ECR, ECM and ECU all the same part? I'm not even blonde ... lol
AuSeeker
Elite Member
I think he might of did a TYPO on the ECR part, ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and ECM (Electronic Control Module) are both use for the various computers in vehicles, in this case it would be the TPMS ECU or ECM, there are several other computers in vehicles for other functions.
ArthurKotb
Member
I'm blonde
I used to be blonder 
ECU ECM, Electronic Control something; the gray matter is getting grayer it seems. 35 years of IT initials and acronyms have filled my head. There are multiples in your vehicle.
The ECU for the TPMS knows what sensor number goes with what tire so it can tell you by blinking that one of them is low or a battery is dying. (excuse my sarcasm.) It makes sense in cars that display the tires on a screen instead of just lighting up or blinking.
In newer Toyotas it's possible to program new sensors in the car. Mine is a 2004 so I had to buy a TPMS device to program the new codes in. I don't recall what year yours is but I don't think any of the gen 4 4Runners have the ability. I now use the device I bought to periodically check tire pressure, especially when the light comes on. It tells me which one, tire temp temp, battery level, code and maybe something else.
The device I bought can do Denso sensors. Most dealers I've read about don't want to spend the money for the Techstream software (very expensive) that can do the programming. I don't know why mine can but it can. Toyota dealerships can program them but they charge by the arm and leg.
My advice, go to a tire store and have them swap out your old Denso sensors for whatever they sell and service. That's what my son did with is 2006 and he was happy not to have to fool with buying the device, sensors, paying someone to install them, or programming. Google about the quality of different TPMS sensors and then check with the tire stores to see if they support that product.
I'm blonde
ECU ECM, Electronic Control something; the gray matter is getting grayer it seems. 35 years of IT initials and acronyms have filled my head. There are multiples in your vehicle.
The ECU for the TPMS knows what sensor number goes with what tire so it can tell you by blinking that one of them is low or a battery is dying. (excuse my sarcasm.) It makes sense in cars that display the tires on a screen instead of just lighting up or blinking.
In newer Toyotas it's possible to program new sensors in the car. Mine is a 2004 so I had to buy a TPMS device to program the new codes in. I don't recall what year yours is but I don't think any of the gen 4 4Runners have the ability. I now use the device I bought to periodically check tire pressure, especially when the light comes on. It tells me which one, tire temp temp, battery level, code and maybe something else.
The device I bought can do Denso sensors. Most dealers I've read about don't want to spend the money for the Techstream software (very expensive) that can do the programming. I don't know why mine can but it can. Toyota dealerships can program them but they charge by the arm and leg.
My advice, go to a tire store and have them swap out your old Denso sensors for whatever they sell and service. That's what my son did with is 2006 and he was happy not to have to fool with buying the device, sensors, paying someone to install them, or programming. Google about the quality of different TPMS sensors and then check with the tire stores to see if they support that product.
Nice, so you have highlights & lowlights. You know, I have to pay a lot of money for that..?. Thanks for the advice but would really like to have the Denso TPMS. Is this the tool you bought, Autel MaxiTPMS TS501 Pro, Activate all known OEM/Universal T? If not, what exactly do you have so I can check it out and is this something I can program before going to my mechanic with all the Denso TPMS' or is it done during installation? Sorry if I'm a PITA, most of us women are.
On a side note about the Techstream software, I found a post on reddit from 8 months ago with instructions on downloading the software. Here's the link, if it really works or still works: https://www.reddit.com/r/Lexus/comments/1ny69er/how_to_get_techstream_easy_lexustoyota/ If you're in IT, probably will be easy for you.
rdruss
Senior Member
My advice is forget the TPMS all together and check your tire pressure ocassionally. The tire pressure light has been on on my '07 Highlander since '09 and it's going to stay on until the light burns out or the car is scrapped.
ArthurKotb
Member
Techstream software on Amazon is a Chinese copy. I've heard good things and I've heard bad things. You still need the cable to connect the computer to the car's ODBII port. You pays your money and you takes your chances. IMHO
Here is the one I bought and it was $200 in 2022, $208 now.
I charged it up, updated the software and went to the car and located the current sensor numbers just to familiarize myself with the process. It took longer than expected and I called their support who couldn't help me but gave me an email for the company in China. I emailed them and heard back the next day that:
Instead of choosing Toyota/4Runner/2004 I should choose Toyota/4Runner/2017 (it worked a lot better after that). There are instructions in the package on how to read the sensors and also how to update the ECU
Amazon.com
I bought 5 Denso Sensors (Amazon was shipper/seller) and took pictures of them so I knew what the code was on each sensor
Amazon.com
I put my 4Runner up on jack stands and took off all 5 tires and labeled each tire with the sensor for the install location so they would go back on the same location they came off of. (I'm finicky)
I took them to a local Firestone store. He said if I had bought the tires from them they wouldn't charge me anything but I hadn't so they installed the 5 sensors and charged me about $25 / tire to break it down, install the sensor, air it back up and balance it. I think I saved a little by just having loose wheels but you'll have to ask your tire store. I always check the lug nut torque anyway.
I took the tires home and mounted them back in their original locations. Best as I remember, this is how I did the update to the ECU, but the instructions are in the Autel case.
I took a reading of the tires' sensors (you start at left/front and read, go to right/front and read, then continue around the car and finally the spare. I connected the OBD-II cable to the car's port (next to left knee in driver seating) and to the Autel. Then, as I recall, you continue the same program to update the ECU. When finished, you disconnect the cable and there shouldn't be any TPMS light on the dash. Go around the car and take another reading to make sure the sensors can all be read. Then you should be done, but it's been 4 years for me.
I continue to use the Autel to check the sensor batteries and tire pressure. You want to check the pressure with a gauge because they're more accurate but with the Autel you can easily tell if they're close or if there's one that's much lower (usually the spare).
Yeah I'm finicky too and hate that I am sometimes. That's a lot of work and above my brain capacity.? I'll just have to live with the flashing light. The light itself doesn't bother me, I'm only concerned about slow leaks. I've have several over the years ... typical nails from all the roads/road work in New England. Not the end of the world. I'll focus on other stuff on my Runner. Thanks for all the detailed info, really appreciate it!
Thanks, I'm going to. Didn't realize how involved it is.
ArthurKotb
Member
Only the sensors with a weak battery or other issue don't work. The rest of them will. If it's blinking now and then it stops and becomes a solid light then you know one of your tires is low. Air it up and the light blinks again.
If you want to find out which one is bad:
Let about 5 lbs. of air out of the L/F tire. If the light goes solid, that sensor is good. Air it back up and go to R/F tire and let out about 5 lbs. of air. If the light goes solid, that sensor is good. Air it back up and go to the next tire and repeat the process. When you have let out 5 lbs. of air from a tire and the light continues to blink, then that is a bad sensor.
But I still say you should go to a 'good reviews' tire store and get their brand of sensors installed.
