tpms

is there any way to determine which sensor is bad without using expensive equipment that I dont have?

 

No.

 

There's no point in buying something for that. Go to a local tire shop and have them scan it. I know Discount Tire / Americas Tire does it for free, but I imagine others do as well

 

Yep, Discount will sell you the TPMS and install then load into ECU for $60 each is what they told me. Seen them for like $35 on line but of course add install and ECU add after that. I did not ask the warranty but will cause I will be getting new tires and 4 new sensors as my 2009 ones started failing so figure do all at that time. If they do them any issues they will resolve and I don't have to chase problems down - and no Toyota dealer involved! I use Discount cause they have a Road Force balance machine.

 

The TPMS on my truck has been inoperative for 2 or 3 years. Lived for many years without the convenience, so that is no big deal. Just for S&G I put an aftermarket TPMS on the truck and SMBO's RAV4 (her snow tires are mounted on aftermarket rims). Cost about what replacing one sensor would be (fits with my penurious ways) and adds a few other bells and whistles.

 

#*&!%#$ those sensors! The batteries in mine finally went out after 11 years. I just look at the tires now and then and check with a gauge once in a while. The money those things can add up to over the life of these trucks is way more than i'm willing to shell out.

 

What it breaks down to is what’s this worth to you. Can you justify keeping this system operational?
There was a thread on here somewhere on how to kill the light using a jumper wire behind the radio. I went to discount tire yesterday and replaced all 5 sensors and the original spare tire on 06 DBCB sport and now after 400 dollars it all works again. Some use a piece of black tape over the light, which way to go? Hmmmmmmm.