TPMS dash light issue

2006 DCLB 4.0L

Just checking to see if anyone has experienced this issue. Usually when the TPMS light comes on the dash, I fill tires to 35psi. Now the TPMS light came on again, only one tire was low, so filled it to 35psi. However, the odd thing is this time the TPMS light on the dash will NOT go off. I also checked the spare tire, which has a TPMS sensor, and the pressure was ok, at 40psi.

Not sure if this means I have a bad TPMS sensor in the a wheel? Is there an easy way to check the sensors? The sensors on my vehicle are all original, never replaced before.

 

Does the TPMS light flash when you first start the truck.
And then stay on all the time?
If it flashes for like 30sec - 1 min and then stays on, this usually means there is a fault in the TPMS system.
Most of the time it’s a bad sensor. Dead battery in the sensor.

 

I'm not sure if it flashes when first started. I'll need to check that. If it's a dead battery in a sensor, how would you know which one? there are five sensors on this vehicle.

 

You have to have a scanner that can read them.
I’ve never played with the feature on a OBD Scan tool. It may tell you what sensor is not online.

The tire shop I go to has a little scanner they can hold next to the tire and looks for a signal.
Most tire shops don’t charge to check for the signal. They charge you to replace the sensor.

 

Keep tires properly inflated, ignore the light and put in all new sensors when it's time for new tires.

We've gone for decades relying on our eyes and tire gauges, not a digital nanny. You can do it just fine!

 

good to know. Thanks.

 

Just another perspective; Before TPMS, your eyes and a gauge were your ONLY indication of low tire pressure.
Most of us are aware of the potential catastrophic consequences of low tire pressure at freeway + speeds. I have yet to perfect looking at or checking my tire pressures while driving. I can count the number of flat tires I've had during the past 40 years, on one hand. But, this past spring, my TPMS came on while doing "flow of traffic speeds" on I-65, and no doubt saved me from a flat tire change on the freeway or worse. I frequently check tire pressures on all my vehicles. But checking tire pressures is not a warning against having a flat while in motion.

 

And people have been dying for decades because of crashes caused by a tire that deflated at speed. The TPMS sensor isn't meant to replace an air gauge, but to monitor the tires while the vehicle is being driven.

Twice in the last 10 years I've had the TPMS warning light come on while driving @ about 70 mph on highways. I had ran over debris in the road that punctured a significant size hole in tires. Both times I was able to get the vehicle onto the shoulder of the road and stopped before the tire came apart. Both tires were completely flat within 10-15 seconds of the warning light coming on. Neither tire could be saved. That 10-15 second warning prevented a serious crash and probably saved lives.

If you're needing new tires in the very near future this isn't a bad plan. You can pick up sensors on Amazon for $20 each, you'll need 5 so you can put one in the spare. Any tire store will install the new sensors and program them at no cost. If it will more than a couple of months I'd go ahead and buy new sensors and have them installed. Most tire stores will install them for $10-$20 each. This isn't a huge expense. Spending $80 every 7-10 years works out to about the same money as a McDonalds value meal once a year.

Sensors typically last 7-10 years. If I had a vehicle where the sensors were 7 years old or older I'd recommend replacing them next time I bought tires even if they are still working. Chances are good the old sensors won't outlast the new tires and you will save $40-$100 by doing it then.

 

Presumably, they’re all the same age.

Just parroting what others have said - replace the whole batch at the same time and keep them all the same age.

 

Wow, the TPMS on my vehicle are all original, 15 years old now. They are the one-piece design, metal sensor and valve. Newer style TPMS have a separate valve stem and sensor body.

 

Exactly and well put. The only thing I can add to this is to get the IP address or ID number off each of the replacement TPMS sensors before you (they) put them in. I say this because when I replaced them (DENSO TMPS) when I put on new wheels and tires they(Discount Tires) said they couldn't read them and they needed the ID numbers. Long story short the next day I went back and after talking to the manager and bringing up my purchase history (35+years) they spent the time and were able to read the ID numbers on each including the spare tire on my 07. So yes, when your 7+ pluse years and needing to get a new pair of shoes on your baby, change out the TMPS.