TPMS vs Murphy

[philsey]

Thought I'd post a follow-up to this:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/224660-when-replace-tpms.html

So, last Tuesday I put on new tires, and after careful deliberation (see ^ ) I went with rebuild kits ($7 ea @ DT), took a post-install spin on I-80 to check it all - perfect - then usual around-town stuff 'til yesterday (Friday).

[MENTION=105875]96r50[/MENTION] proved prophetic in the original thread: "You may get another 6 years out of the sensors or they could all give up the ghost in 6 minutes..."

About 15 miles down I-88 yesterday I get the TPMS light, stop check all the tires, 34 psi all around, wtf? checked 3 more times and again this morning, same-o. Gotta be a faulty TPMS.

So, back to DT this morning, they get me right in, 1 dead sensor, 2 "weak bty". 'Bout 1/2 hr later, 4 new sensors, credit for the rebuild kit, and I'm GTG.

Moral: If I'd known DT's tester showed battery strength ... well ... I'd have had them checked ... saved some anguish on the road ... and a trip back.

This ain't cheap technology, but it's one that makes sense to me.

 

[1000MPH]

Did you get a blinking light or a steady light? You can check battery condition using techstream, also displays the temp.

 

[philsey]

Did you get a blinking light or a steady light? You can check battery condition using text stream, also displays the temp.

Blinked a little while then goes solid. Same as when I had my winter wheelset on, w/ no TPMS.

 

[vjack]

Blinked a little while then goes solid. Same as when I had my winter wheelset on, w/ no TPMS.

Blinking on startup means there is a TPMS equipment malfunction (missing/bad sensor, etc). No blinking (straight to solid light) means the equipment is working and there is a tire problem (e.g. low pressure).

Anyone who has a Techstream cable can check on the status of the TPMS sensors, including battery, individual pressure readings, temperature, etc. (I wish there were a way for the vehicle to show these values directly, e.g. on the instrument cluster screen. Oh well.)

 

[philsey]

Blinking on startup means there is a TPMS equipment malfunction (missing/bad sensor, etc). No blinking (straight to solid light) means the equipment is working and there is a tire problem (e.g. low pressure).

Anyone who has a Techstream cable can check on the status of the TPMS sensors, including battery, individual pressure readings, temperature, etc. (I wish there were a way for the vehicle to show these values directly, e.g. on the instrument cluster screen. Oh well.)

Again, I learn from the Forum. :thumb3:

Ridiculous that that info is available and for chump change Toyota could present it to us. Oh well, we choose to choose reliability over technology with Toyota.

 

[NorthwoodsRunner]

I am very impressed with the Discount Tire service and its honesty. They always have torqued lug nuts per spec and not try to sell me Nitrogen service. Regarding the TPMS, too bad they did not last that long. I would highly discourage people from buying used TPMS sensors from eBay as you have no idea how long they will last. You can find brand new OEM sensors at $50-60 a piece. When you consider your time and cost to replace to sensors, it is better to go with new ones.

 

[vjack]

[...] You can find brand new OEM sensors at $50-60 a piece. When you consider your time and cost to replace to sensors, it is better to go with new ones.

Amazon carries OEM sensors for ~$35 ea. I bought those when I got my winter wheels.