Anyone have trouble with Denso TPMS?

It was time for new tires and wheels (got some TRD Pros in glossy gray to replace my ugly peeling OEM Sport wheels) for my 2009 with 113,000 miles. Since it was still on the OEM TPMS sensors it was time to change those, too. I ordered some Densos, p/n

$36 550-0103 TPMS 315-MHZ Sensor for Toyota/Lexus with Factory Alloy Wheel Options. (THIS SENSOR MUST BE PROGRAMMED BEFORE USE)

550-0103 basically the correct part for most all Toyota and Lexus. Take it all to the installer and the sensors supposedly would not program for Toyota.

I called Denso USA and they said they had had several reports of this issue and they suspected out of date scan software or some hardware incompatibilities. The shop swore their SnapOn gear is up to date. I dunno... but it turned out to be a more $$ day than expected since I didn't want to schlep it all back home and try a different shop. At least Denso said they will take these back. Anyone else run into this issue? Denso makes good stuff so this is very puzzling. I absolutely HATE not having the tools to do this myself.... well, the scanner anyway since I have no room for a tire changer.

 

The TPMS sensors for the 3rd gens are incompatible with the 2nd gens... So if you got one of the newer model numbers that would be why.

 

No, I got the one listed for my year and equipment (alloy wheels). Confirmed by Denso when I called. This one:

DensoProducts.com: 550-0103 $34.27 Denso Tire Pressure Sensor - Car TPMS Sensor

 

I recently used the Denso’s on mine. Same problem. Shop worked their tail off, drove truck around, parked it, drove again and couldn’t get the TPMS sensor to trigger.

There is a specific pressure change activation trigger sequence to activate the sensors that is written the tag attached to the sensors. I made a second trip back to the shop, showed the manager (instead of the tech) the tag and they agreed to try again. It worked.

The tech (apparently) hadn’t read the tag and used the ‘normal spin the tire/drive it around’ activation procedure.

 

Damn it all... it had to be something like that! I didn't read the tag in detail myself until just now. Shop was busy and I saw them trying, but not sure anyone there even read the tag. They may have tried to connect to them without even taking them out of the box. Oh well, that cost me some $ today. I got these for $34 but of course the ones you buy at an installer are twice that. And I guess I learnt another lesson. But why does it always have to be the hard way?

 

I used the same sensors (#

$36 550-0103 TPMS 315-MHZ Sensor for Toyota/Lexus with Factory Alloy Wheel Options. (THIS SENSOR MUST BE PROGRAMMED BEFORE USE)

550-0103 - "First Time Fit") on my Tacoma in April. I pointed out the tag and the activation procedure written on the tag. The shop had recently purchased a new Bartec sensor programmer. The shop was able activate the sensors without issue and didn't go through the tag (air down) procedure.

 

Not Denso, but I’m having trouble finding someone who will/can program my Autel sensors. Tire Discounters told me they require an Autel tool, and the dealer told me they could try to do it for a fee but couldn’t promise it would work. Trying to figure out how I can get them programmed as we speak. It should not be this hard imo.

 

This. I always thought this was like tire shop 101, easy peasy for them... and would be for us if we had the tool. I should have done a reset and just brought the lot home and consulted you guys. Also would have helped if I opened the box and read the tag. It just never occurred to me that there would be the slightest difficulty with this... and I was using up the time I had allocated to this. I didn't want to waste another half day at another tire shop. And it is hard even to get into one here... demand is through the roof as the pandemic wanes, at least for now.

 

I have those from rock auto and they’ve been fine , I got mine about a year or so ago thou . I used tech stream software (I think ) and all worked fine

I bought a $70 laptop off eBay and used that , if I had to do it over again I would of got a programmer off Amazon

 

I bought these for my 2nd generation 2013 TRD Sport
ROADFAR 315MHz Programmed Tire Pressure Monitoring System Sensor TPMS Fits For Lexus For Scion For Toyota 4260706011 4260733011 on Amazon

They worked fine when I left the shop, the next day they were reading low pressure. I googled how to reset it and they mostly work fine, every once in a while they come back on but mostly they are off. The reset is super simple you could at least try it.

https://youtu.be/anGr9JcP3Uc

 

Those bootleg Techstream offerings look pretty sketchy and virus prone. Using it with an offline throw away laptop is probably a good idea. Did you identify a scanner that would *for sure* work? Many of them make claims that they will do TPMS and ABS bleeding with an asterisk that they don't guarantee it will work for your model. Most of them are scams.

 

I used the denso sensors on my tundra with no issues. Programming them witg tech stream (legit copy since I work at the dealer) they worked right away

 

The aftermarket denso need the activation air up/down to wake it up. No one, and I mean no one ever reads the small read tag. A ton of 1 star review for the densos "doa" on Amazon ($33 each) are a testament to that

Some tpms tools supposedly can wake them up. I have the

$199 autel ts501 TPMS programming tool, 2024 upgraded car TPMS scan tool of TS408, TS401, activate/relearn all known TPMS sensors, program autel mx-sensor [315 & 433mhz], TPMS diagnostics & reset

autel ts501 and still do the air up/down just in case.

 

The other factor here is that this is something we just don't deal with often. This is literally the very first time I have ever needed to get new TPMS transmitters for any vehicle. My 2009 Tacoma is the first vehicle I have ever had with TPMS and the OEM transmitters were still working on just the second set of tires. Pretty amazing, really.

 

I just ordered a TS508 to hopefully get my Autel’s up and running. Do you know if it will work?

Sorry, I don’t mean to thread jack.

 

Yes, the autel mx sensors are primarily meant to be cloned. Not sure on the features of the 508 but I know it has more capability than my 501. And with the 501 I can read the sensor IDs from the ECU, then use those IDs to imprint them (clone) onto the autel mx sensors. Just hook up the obd cable to your truck and read the sensor IDs and then clone from there. Since they are already installed on the wheels, just shove the tool as close as possible to the sensor. But that may not even be an issue.

edit: the method I mentioned above is just what I choose to do. The autel allows you to also create new IDs onto the MX sensors and then program those onto your ECU. I just choose to manually program each one using whats on the ecu. Some would argue that it's quicker to go with the auto route, but just the way I do it. More than one way to skin a cat and all that.

 

Yes there IS one that works , I’ve seen posts here on TW that other members have used them with success . Everything worked with the tech stream software and I could use it to switch between summer and winter tires but I don’t . At the time Toyota dealer wanted 96+tax for the sensors and 150+ tax to program them . So for $667.80 I went out and got the denso’s for 29 a piece ($145) and I got a laptop for $70 and a cable kit from Amazon for $25 and saved the rest of my money . It all payed for itself just buying the stuff for what I saved (did all 5 sensors at once)

 

Do you have a link? I suppose if you got yours awhile back the offerings have changed a good bit. I have an *old* laptop around, on Linux. Might take a good bit of effort to resurrect and update it but that should be safe.

Based on the above it seems the Autels work... but not sure they work with other branded sensors. What say you guys with the Autels? That would be easier than messing with the bootleg Techstream.

 

FWIW ... I downloaded the "bootleg" techstream software in 2012, loaded it onto an old Windows XP laptop, got the OBD cable from Amazon. It works on my Camry, Tacoma, Tundra and new Highlander. Besides showing the TPMS registration numbers (lets you view and change them), it can turn on and off both user and factory configurable options (like seat belt chimes), check and reset ck engine codes, on board timers etc etc.
While I owned a Ford Super Duty, I had the Ford ForScan software on the same computer, same functionality.
i guess there is a virus potential, but not likely any greater than other downloaded software from unknown sources. Ps - use at your own risk.

 

Wil this also cycle/bleed the ABS module? Do you happen to know if the software works on Linux?