TPMS lesson learned from swapping wheels from a 3rd Gen Taco

I thought I'd share this, maybe it can help someone else from dealing with a minor headache.

Long story shortened up- the TMPS sensors in steelies from a 3rd gen are different from our 2nd Gen and even though the info can be put into the BCM, it can't read the signal.

Long version, if you like details.

I just got a '15 AC base 4x4 3 weeks ago. It came with General Grabber AT2's ( which I've had on other vehicles in the past, they're a good AT tire) The issue was that the ones on the truck were a 235/70/16. My truck is supposed to have 245/75/16. The wrong size tires caused the truck to fail the state vehicle inspection and needed to be corrected before I could get it registered and do the title work.

I searched around and found a clean, complete set of take-offs from a 2019 base model truck. I called my local stealership parts dept and asked about sensor compatibility to be sure that I wouldn't have any issues. They claimed that the sensors for the steelies were all the same and that I'd only need to have the new sensor ID's scanned and loaded into the BCM and that most tire stores do that for a minimal charge. I go for the deal and $200 later, I had the tires that I needed to satisfy the state inspection.

I install the new steelies onto my truck and go for a test drive, sure enough ( as expected) the TPMS light started flashing. I stopped at a NTB and explained what I did, they scanned and programmed the new sensor ID's into the BCM but the warning light wouldn't go off. ( no charge for the service)

I tried a Mr. Tire, a Firestone store and a local garage and got the same results. I stopped by the local stealership and asked about a solution. I was told that it would be $140 to basically do what each tire store tried to do and I'd have to pay even if it didn't work.( but of course, the Toyota software is far superior to what a tire store has. I just rolled my eyes ) After that, I'd have to pay for the tires to be broken down, get the TPMS ID's and manually enter them. ( like they couldn't read the info from their scan tool??) and that would be a 2 hr labor charge regardless if it worked or not. The last option would be to buy all new sensors and have them installed in the rims, then program each one. That would be a 4 hour labor charge, plus the cost of the parts and a 4 tire mount and balance.

Not wanting to be dragged over the coals by a stealership, I loaded the old tires into the truck and headed back to NTB the next day. The same store manager remembered me and asked what I wanted to try next. I asked him if he could scan the old tires and see if that would go into the BCM. He did that and the light went off immediately, so I knew that at least the old sensors should work. I agreed to have them break down the old tires and install the old sensors into the new(er) wheels/tires. As soon as he had both sets of sensors in his hand, he showed me that they were completely different in shape and size from each other.

I've driven a hundred miles since Friday and the light is staying out, so I think I'll be ok. I don't know what the actual differences are between the sensors, but the 3rd gen steelie sensors definitely can not be read by the computer in my '15.

 

Did you manage to get pics of the sensors?

 

I can take a pic of the 3rd gen sensors, I didn't get a pic of my 2nd gen sensors.

 

It’s common knowledge around here that 3rd gen sensors wont work on a 2nd gen. If you would have asked here, we could have saved you a lot of trouble.

 

I was trusting the parts dept guy with the info he gave me. Next time, I'll just ask.

 

Not trying to knock you down or anything, but yes. Bad call there. Kinda similar to asking a dude in HD or Lowes about building codes. (ok, I know there is always an exception)

Glad you had your issue worked out, although took more time/money than it should.
I went with similar issue with wheels and sensors I bought, that came off a T4R. After a while and bunch of research, ended up reinstalling my original sensors