Please tell me they didn't break it.

So I get my new Grabbers and take them to a shop recommended by my brother and nephew. The tires were filled to 40 psi. After the new tires are put on I get in my truck and the yellow tire warning light is on. I ask the fella why and he says since the tire pressure went to zero the sensor needs 5 minutes to reset. I had to make a stop and did a manual reset and the light flashed a few times and stayed on. The individual tire pressures were ----. A few more stops. Same thing. Then I left town and drove about 15 miles. Then the yellow light flashes for about 30 seconds and then back to constant illumination. 8 more miles and I'm home. Light still on and pressures ----. I don't recall this happening with prior tire changes. Looking at the manual it states to drive about 10 minutes. I probably did this while still in town.

 

Does you truck have a tire pressure reset button?

 

Yes I reset it about a mile after I left the shop.

 

The manual indicates a malfunction in the TPMS. Great.

 

I would bring it back to the shop and have them fix it. Sounds like they did not install your TPMS correctly on the new tires.

 

If so, how can you tell which tire it is? The problem is it's an old-school mom & pop shop that probably doesn't have the equipment to read codes..

 

Take it back and have them replace the broken sensors. They should have some on hand. They broke one of mine when I got my tires on and replaced it with an aftermarket sensor. It’s been working fine for 4years now.

 

Probably need to have the shop reprogram each TPMS for each tire into the ECM.

It should clear in 10-20mins of driving after that.

 

Make sure to keep any/all of the damaged sensors so you have the OEM sensor ID numbers.

 

Not needed for his OEM sensors that were on the truck/wheels with the old tires.

 

Got my new tires at Discount Tire a year ago and never had an issue, not even a " the tire pressure went to zero the sensor needs 5 minutes to reset ". It was all gTg when they were done.

 

Sometimes this is what you get when you try to throw some business to a local non-chain. Had good luck with Big-O but they're 60 miles away.

 

i hear ya, don't get me wrong, i like to give business to the momNpop shops when i can. I'm sure if you take it back to them they'll do what they can to make it right.

 

Can most shops determine which sensor(s) failed or do you have to remove each on until you find the failed one? Does the tire need to be removed or is the sensor part of the valve stem? On a positive note, the General Grabber Atx is an excellent snow tire. When up a steep, windy, snowy hill that I usually need 4wd and the Grabbers went up in 2wd with minor slippage.

 

They have a tool that they can put up to the valve stem and check the sensors without removing the tire.

I had to deal with this s*** with mavis, when in for a patch and they must of broke the sensor because it was reading fine before. After 3-4 back in forth trips they basically said it went bad and I couldn't prove they broke it and charged me half price for a new sensor.

 

go to discount tires/america's tire. their scan tool can determine which sensors are dead or do a proper reset for you. usually for free

 

From my experience a flashing TPMS lights means a bad or damaged sensor or sensors.
I'm sure the shop damaged 1 or more of the sensors while installing your tires.

This happened to the wife's 2011 Rav-4. I replaced all the sensors due to age and it's all good now.

 

Does the spare have a sensor?

 

I think the sensor in the spare tire was 2008 and before. I'm sure someone can confirm.

 

If they're an "old-school mom and pop shop that probably doesn't have the equipment to read codes" they probably shouldn't be working on your modern vehicle. It also means they probably don't have the equipment to properly calibrate them in the first place. Definitely worth asking them.