Two Sets Of Tires - TPMS warning light

Hi,
During the winter I purchased a set of winter tires from a local tire shop and they reset the TPMS. Now that the summer is here, I put my summer tires back on, original TPMS, and now the TPMS warning light is on. When I start the vehicle, it flashes for a minute or so and then stays on steady. I've tried pushing the TPMS button as per the manual with no success. I thought the vehicle would be able to handle both sets but I guess not. Do I have to take it in to get the original ID's set back up? Do I have to do this every time I swap my tires? Can I purchase a tool so I can do this? If so, what do I buy and how do they work? I do not have the TPMS ID's for either set of tires.

 

If I'm reading this correctly, you have 2 sets of tires, wheels and TPS's. If so, yes you will have to "reset" (not reset the pressure) the TPS's but it will require a TPMS scanner to get the ID's of the sensors and reintroduce them into the Taco's computer. Virtually any decent tire shop will have this type of scanner. Hope this makes some sense....

If you only have 1 set of TPS's and wheels, I would first check the tire pressures. It is also possible that one of the batteries is failing or the TPS was damaged during the dismount/mount.....

 

Thanks for the reply. I should have clarified. I have two sets of tires and two sets of TPS. I'd rather not have to take the vehicle in every time I swap tires. Can I purchase a TPMS scanner? Any recommendations? How do they work?

 

Yes, you can purchase a TPMS scanner. I have an Autel unit (501 if I remember correctly) but they have a number of units both cheaper and more expensive. They will scan each tire and get the ID numbers from the TP sensors and then plug in to the OBDII port to import the ID #'s into the Taco's computer. Easy peasy!

 

Here are your choices

1. Have the tire shop program your truck every fall and spring.
2. Buy the ~$50 Techstream, put it on a laptop and program them yourself.
3. Buy a scanner and program them yourself.
4. There is a magic box that you can buy that stores multiple TPMS IDs. You just plug it into the OBD2 connector and choose winter or summer and it does the magic for you. I think it’s made by Autel. It is kinda spendy though.


Here is something I wrote a while back about how the TPMS system works.

Here's how it works. The sensors are 1 way communication. The truck listens to the information being sent to it by the sensors. The truck only listens to sensors it's been programmed to listen to. Let's call them Bob, Jake, Johnny, and Rafael. So, each sensor tells the truck what presure is in the tire. Let's say they're all at 32. When you push the button, the truck learns that 32 is normal pressure keeps the light off. Now, 1 morning Johnny is on a bad hangover and tells the truck he's only at 25PSI. The truck turns on the light to let you know. You give Johnny some pepto bismal(air), the truck is happy and turns out the light. On your way to work, there's a Tacoma beside you at the light with a low tire. That sensor is named Brittany. Yourtrucks light doesn't come on because your truck doesn't listen to Brittany.

So, when you get new sensors, there's 2 ways to make the truck happy.
1. Pull new OEM or aftermarket OEMtype sensors off the shelf and program the truck to listen to them. Now thetruck only listens to George, Paul, John, and Ringo. This programming can only be done by plugging into the truck OBD2 connector.

2. There are aftermarket sensors that have no name. It's like adopting a puppy at the shelter. Your dog Bob crosses over the rainbow bridge. You go to the shelter and adopt a new puppy and name him Bob. (The tire shop programs the nameless sensor to say, "Hi, my name is Bob") Now your truck still listens to Bob. Your truck isn't smart enough to realize it's a different Bob. He thinks it's thesame old Bob, and is content and patiently waiting for Bob to go on adrinking binge.

 

Love the story Muddinfun.... I'm going to look at purchasing a scanner and program them.

 

I would be sectioned by now if I only had George, Paul, John, and Ringo to listen to...

Tis an excellent analogy though.

 

While I was out at lunch today, I stopped in at a tire shop and they reset the truck for $30 cdn. in 5 minutes. I'll hold off on getting the unit for now.

 

Next time you go. Have the shop record the serial numbers that are currently stored in the ECU and the numbers on the other set of tires. You need the numbers from each sensor (write them down) for all of the wheels and then if you decide to reprogram them yourself, you’ll have all of the info you need on hand.

 

Some of the scanners will read the ID #'s and will program. If you only have the ID#'s, you'll need Techstream to program the computer....