Yet Another TPMS Question

My TPMS is non-functional since I upgraded to factory alloys from the steel wheels. Since I have a 2008, I will have a problem if I sell or trade unless I reactivate the system. My local service tech told me that my state requires the truck be failed on state inspection for any warning light, including TPMS even though TPMS warnings do not show up as engine codes on computer diagnostics. This is also a problem on trade because 2008's and newer must have functional TPMS to be incompliance with Federal law. I've been doing a search and found that several companies including Oro make aftermarket OE replacement sensors for many vehicles including Toyotas. However, whenever I go to their websites to do a vehicle make and model search, I can never find one for the Tacoma but they have sensors listed for Tundras, Sequoias, Camrys, etc. The same tech I've been talking to told me that by requirement (maybe the law) all sensors must have the capability to communicate with the factory TPMS system regardless of brand. Does this mean that I should be able to install any Toyota compatible sensor into the wheel and have the computer reprogrammed sucessfully? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Pretty sure they cannot fail the truck for a TPMS light- We've had some discussion about that....and the law says that it needs to be there when built...but aftermarket rims aren't required to have them.

No clue about the sensors....My guess is that is if it works on a Tundy it'll work on a Taco...but Call the company??

There are also several ideas about the boards for ways to store the sensors and make the system see them but not have to worry about them in the tires...

 

yeah there's alot of different ways...i actually just bought new sensors to work with my alloy wheels...about $400...i did it since my truck was brand new....didn't wanna tear it up right away...lol....but some people have taken the bulb out from behind the instrument panel so the warning light doesn't come on.....others have drilled holes in the spare tire wheel and put all the sensors in that one wheel...things like that...lol

 

there was a thread on here a lil while back were someone had the tpms mounted directly to the rim by a metal band

 

Can you use the sensors off the steelies and put them on the factory alloys?

 

Here is the website where I got them. They work really well and after I had them balanced I had no problems. Essentially what they are is a large hose clamp with a metal bracket that you mount the sensor on. I have had the truck up to 120mph with them on and no problems. Just make sure you get them real tight.

It is a whole lot cheaper then buying new ones. There is a post on here that I saw the other day where a guy was selling his for $60.00. I was going to buy them to put on my winter tires but decided not to since I would have to have the computer reset. At 100 Euro an hour for services it was not worth it.


http://www.tpmssource.com/strapkit.aspx

I hope this helps you out..

 

Mine are still happy.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/wheels-tires/47465-tpms-light-old-solution-revisited.html

 

Looks like that will work. Any idea where the sensors are on '09 factory alloys? I just got some with the tires and the valve stem is not like the metal valve on the factory steelies. Just curious so I can order the correct fitment for the sensors. Thanks in advance.

 

All of them should be the valve stem. The difference from the Aluminum to the Steelies is the angle and the length of the thread on the sensor and the angle of the valve stem seat on the wheel.

 

My factory steelies valve stem is metal, but the factory alloys I got has the rubber valve stems. Do the factory alloy sensors have rubber valve stems?

 

You can transfer the valve stems for steelies to factory alloys to aftermarket rims!!! they will fit, some times they wont rest on the rim in the aftermarket wheels, they will kind of just hang there but they shouldnt cause a prob, i have put these sensors in many cars that changed rims and i havent ran into a prob yet

 

I appreciate the quick feedback. This Forum is the best!!

 

Did a more thorough search and found www.tpmssource.com. They stock oro-tek direct replacements for my 2008 Tacoma at just under $60 each. At $240 plus the reprogramming charge it may be worth it to reactivate the system when I put new tires on the vehicle. IMO you need to be aware regarding used sensors. One of my mechanics told me that the batteries last only about 5 years. You don't want to spend good money on used sensors to find that they stop transmitting 6 months down the road. Also I don't agree with strapping the old sensors to the rims. There is a huge liability issue here. Let's suppose you had a tire failure unrelated to the sensor and clamp, but there was an accident. If investigators found the clamp and sensor they could try and blame the tire failure on this and you would be screwed. Not worth a lawsuit to save a few hundred bucks. I also saw a thread in this forum where one guy put his sensors into a tubeless hand truck tire and mounted the little tire under the truck. Smartest idea I've seen so far.

 

do not waste your money buying new, used, or any other diffrent sensors
use the ones that came with your truck, you still install them normally just rotate them to the inside of the wheel this will work on aftermarket wheels too. Ive had them like this on my truck for two years now the system still works perfect. Just find a tire store that know what they are doing it makes it a little harder to install the tire, just have to be a little more carefull. Again people quit wasting your money on sensors!

 

I know when I moverd my tpms from my alloys to my new rims they worked perfect. the dealership said it depends on the angle. the steelies have defferent tpms from the alloys. This is sjust what I was told. But you can cruise ebay for some tpms

 

The steel wheels and alloys are diffrent angles thats why you rotate them
to the inside.

 

Hah, I love that solution