[rjordan393]

Two weeks ago, My dash tells me I have low pressure in one of my tires.
I checked all the mounted tires and they were at the recommended pressure.
So I checked the spare and found it was 20 lbs. I pressureize it to 32 lbs.
But the dash light would not go out. If there is a reset button on my 2004 Toyota 4runner, I could not locate it.
Now today, when starting my vehicle, the low pressure signal is now out.
Anyone have an idea of whats going on?
No matter what, I intend to purchase new wheels and sensors this August.
I already been told that my sensors are past their life expectancy.

 

[Old Thomas]

Some use sensors in the valve stems while others use the wheel speed sensors that are part of the antilock brake system. The valve stem type have an internal battery that can expire. A bad wheel speed sensor usually sets the ABS light, too.

 

[lenaitch]

The TPMS light on my 2008 Nissan Frontier would come on and random times, sometimes steady, sometimes flash, then go out again. It would also often light up at a certain intersection (RFI?). I pretty much ignored it.
Depending on the manufacturer, some systems take a certain distance above a certain speed before they will re-set.

 

[rjordan393]

That appears to be what is happening. Thanks.

 

[ukrkoz]

Go to Discount Tire. they have handy tool that scopes TPMS batteries. For 2004, I bet they are dying.

 

[raylo32]

I've been wondering how long the batteries in my 2009 Tacoma are gonna last. So from this I can infer that maybe I've got ~5 more years.... although I'll probably have them changed out next time I get tires.

Go to Discount Tire. they have handy tool that scopes TPMS batteries. For 2004, I bet they are dying.

 

[ukrkoz]

My experience from toyotanation shows around 10 years. More or less.
Unless you want to DIY them, Discount Tu=ire appears to have the best pricing in the country.

 

[raylo32]

I am already at 12 1/2 years.... on borrowed time, I suppose. Unfortunately we don't have Discount Tire in our area. I am considering getting a new set of OEM wheels since mine are so ratty and refinishing them would cost almost as much $$. If so I'd just order a wheel/sensor/tire package.. and then have to pay the dealer to program them... or find a capable scan tool.

My experience from toyotanation shows around 10 years. More or less.

 

[lenaitch]

Or we could all, you know, check our tire pressure the old fashioned way on a halfways regular basis.

 

[ron45]

Anybody else find this to be a PITA.

I believe this confirms the tire sensors lets out air to check the pressure and leads to constantly have to refill.

 

[chandler48]

Same thing happened to wifey's Honda. Checked tires and they were within range. Took it to tire dealer we use and he said it was the cold air the day it happened. Once it heated up, the sensor light went out. It was excessively cold that day, as I remember.

 

[ron45]

Same thing happened to wifey's Honda. Checked tires and they were within range. Took it to tire dealer we use and he said it was the cold air the day it happened. Once it heated up, the sensor light went out. It was excessively cold that day, as I remember.

What do you think about a car that plays tricks on you.?

Has anybody tried this.?

 

[mark sr]

it was the cold air the day it happened

On my 2010 Jeep JK the idiot light for tire pressure goes off every winter on the first very cold day. As far as I know it doesn't go out by itself. Adding 2lbs to each tire does. Seems crazy that it will light up when the tire pressure falls below 35psi.

 

[raylo32]

My best TPMS story resulted from when the minimal systems that mfgs installed to meet the requirement intersected with a woman who knows nothing about cars. First, she had the stupid minimal system like on most cars where alls you have is an idiot light that tells you that you have "a" low tire but not how low or which tire it is.

So, this lady gets a TPMS low pressure light on her car, a Lexus ES350 IIRC. She was so proud when she told me how she had fixed the problem by inflating ALL her tires and the light went out. She also told me she had to do it 3 times that week. I instantly knew what was going on and told her she was extremely lucky she mentioned it to me and took her out to the parking lot to show her... that she had a screw in one tire and 55psi in the other 3.

IMO, all these TPMS systems should be required to show actual pressure for every tire. The basic system is not idiot proof enough.

 

[SPS-1]

I have had a couple of cars now that the system does not check the air pressure continuously. On my first car with sensors, the car did not start checking pressure until you hit a certain speed (I think it was 5 or 10 mph). I suspect a centrifugal switch in the sensor to conserve the battery unless you are driving.

On my current car, it takes a few minutes before the sensors show pressures. Not sure what conditions are required to wake up the system. So if you just filled up the tire and started the car, it is not surprising that the warning light did not go out.

I think 10 years is a common design lifetime for the sensor battery.

 

[carmusic]

this is just a gimmick to give more $$$ to cars dealers...

 

[GrayHair]

My sister's car has had that issue for years. Multiple repair attempts by a mechanic haven't helped. Now, she just thumps the tires before going anywhere.

 

[ajaye]

same thing happend to me 12' bm 128, one tire dropped to 20 psi
but in my case it was a nail. When you pump the tire, the light will go out, if it doesnt, pump the tire, leave it for a while and check if the tire has lost any air

if not faulty TPMS, either sensor in the rim or the TPMS system in the wheel

Two weeks ago, My dash tells me I have low pressure in one of my tires.
I checked all the mounted tires and they were at the recommended pressure.
So I checked the spare and found it was 20 lbs. I pressureize it to 32 lbs.
But the dash light would not go out. If there is a reset button on my 2004 Toyota 4runner, I could not locate it.
Now today, when starting my vehicle, the low pressure signal is now out.
Anyone have an idea of whats going on?
No matter what, I intend to purchase new wheels and sensors this August.
I already been told that my sensors are past their life expectancy.