TPMS Question

The Toyota dealership that services my Taco tried to charge me over $150 for labor after failing to program mine, stating that they still tried and it took an hour because they have to run the program on the TechStream. They did offer to order me knew OEM sensors for over $400 and would program those for $150.

LOLOLOLOL

A buddy on here and I swapped all five of my sensors at his shop and I only had to buy him some gatorade and then another buddy on here let me use his Autel device so I could program them myself.

 

They were unable to program the sensors with their unit. I ordered an ATEQ progammer and will do it myself. Mounting and balancing was 100 dollars. Loving the lighter wheels. The 16x7 steelies came in at just over 28 pounds. The FN Wheels, 16x8 aluminum alloy wheels are 19 pounds.

 

You'll need the sensor codes to use that Ateq device if you bought this one.

ATEQ Quickset TPMS ECU Reset Tool - Coverage for Most Asian Import Vehicles

https://www.amazon.com/ATEQ-QuickSe...AJDTZ958ANS&psc=1&refRID=6SDNRT6VFAJDTZ958ANS

 

Thank you! That's exactly what I ordered and I took a picture of all of the sensors and know what wheel they're in.

 

You're good to go then

 

I’ve been shopping for TPMS sensors and a lot of them come “pre-programmed” with a list of compatible cars. They claim that you just need to “relearn” the sensors somehow with the truck. This sounds much easier than buying sensors with no program and having to program them with a special tool. Is there a downside to those types of sensors? Am I missing something?

 

The way I understand it is that our trucks always need to have new sensors programmed. The sensors I purchased were the ones recommended by FN Wheels for Toyota trucks specifically.

 

Interesting, now i’m really confused!

 

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 and 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. Your trucks 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 the truck 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 the same old Bob, and is content and patiently waiting for Bob to go on a drinking binge.

 

Thanks for the explanation, now I understand. The sensors I got will be coming with a name already programmed. Can I used any obdII scanner to relearn the new wheel names, or do I need to buy some kind of special Tpms obdII scanner? I have a generic corded one that I bought off ebay. Also, what information do I need to write down before I have the tires mounted? I’m guessing the serial number of each sensor? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Perfect analogy.

 

As long as you have a way to input the new sensor codes into the device and it can write that information to your ECU, yes.

More sophisticated devices are just able to read the sensor codes while in the tire and store that data in the device and then write it to the ECU.

 

I just bought some sensors myself on eBay. Are we suppose to have have 5 including the spare or will 4 do? Feel like 5 is gonna be the answer...

 

Do you have 5 matching tires/wheels? If so are you going to rotate the spare into the mix? If so then you will want 5. Keep in the mind, no two sensors have the same code so you can buy them any time. You will need to buy a device that you first input the codes into and second write to the ECU each time you rotate your tires because our trucks can only store 4 at a time.

 

which sucks... I just changed to steel wheels that had the sensors in them. they worked for a day, now Discount Tire cant get them to work. Sensors are all good, computer recognizes them, just cant get the light to go off.

 

I found out that 2nd gen sensors don't work in a 3rd gen. I wonder if you got 3rd gen's?

 

I dont know. I think they came off an old 4Runner. The kid I got them from was driving one. I should have asked, but at that time didnt think of it as I planned to just swap over the sensors I had in the wheels at that time. Maybe I'll take the whole mess to Discount and pay them to swap sensors, since I know they work

 

Yea, I wish I had a better answer. My dealer told me it had to do with the number of characters in the sensors code not being compatible. It does make some sense because if you buy new ones you have to put in the model year.