Another TPMS thread sorry everyone.

Hi all,

Just bought my first taco. 2010 ACLB SR5 V6 4X4.

The tires are all pumped to spec 30lbs. I'm getting the tire pressure dash light.

At my pre purchase inspection the guy tried to pump them to 35lbs, still have the light.

1. Could it be the spare?
2. I'm almost leaning towards buying new tires, any way to find out with the tires off if the sensors are good or bad? Or should I just replace them all...

 

Is the light initially blinking and then going solid, or just solid?

 

Those sensors (if original) are 11 yrs old, the batteries are likely dead. If you want the system to function as designed I would just buy a new set and install them with the new tires

You can check them on the vehicle with a hand-held tpms tool

 

the light initially blinks on startup and then sits solid

 

A blinking light indicates a problem with the system (usually no signal from one or more of the sensors), any tire shop should have a tool to test the sensors.

 

Yep sensors are probably just dead. Can't recall if a 2010 would have TPMS in the spare, but I believe for that era, the way to know is if the valve stem has a flexible rubber shaft (no TPMS) or a solid metal one (TPMS).

If you are wanting a TPMS replacement that matches OEM without the Toyota premium price:

$38 Denso 550-0103 TPMS 315-MHZ Sensor for Toyota/Lexus with Factory Alloy Wheel Options. (THIS SENSOR MUST BE PROGRAMMED BEFORE USE), Black

Amazon.com: Denso 550-0103 TPMS 315-MHZ Sensor for Factory Alloy Wheel Options : Automotive

 

Are the sensors programmed with specific codes (like my 2019 outback) or will a set of newer wheel/tires swapped in clear the code?

There are a lot of OEM takeoffs around me on Craigslist. If throwing those on for $300 will give me more tread and no code I'd do it.

 

They need to be the correct ones for your truck and the sensor ID's will need to be programmed into the TPMS ECU.

 

Our TPMS system is not adaptive. Must be programmed via OBD. Stupid as hell and just increases the cost of ownership.

 

Just like the subie. Ugh. How many people just disable the light? I have a gauge, and my gas station gives free air when you get fuel.

 

I drove around for at least 4 years with a piece of black electrical tape covering the
lighted TPMS icon on my speedo.

 

I'd fix it. A few bucks to keep the system working and the light off is no big deal. I'm not driving around with tape over warning lights, that shit is for kids

 

You can build a "TPMS pipe bomb", tinker with some wires inside the dash, or just unplug the TPMS receiver which is inside the headliner toward the rear of the cab.

 

I’d like to do whatever is easiest. First I’ll ask Le Schwab for a scan, and if they are dead, I’ll figure it out.

 

They stopped putting sensors in the spare after 2008. Typical life for the sensor batteries is 7-10 years so you probably need new ones. The ones in my Tacoma were still working after 14 years which happens sometimes. But I ordered new sensors and had them installed when I bought new tires about a year ago. No issues at all with the ones I bought from Amazon.

There was no extra charge when mounting the tires. But since mine is a 2007 I had one in the spare so I had to buy a 5th sensor. And since the spare was over 10 years old I had to pick up another newer used tire for a spare. That was a bit of a hassle. I paid $80 for a set of 4 from Amazon. The 5th one bought individually was $25 IIRC.

I don't understand guys who will spend $800-$1200 for tires that have to be replaced about every 3 years, then bitch about spending $80 every 10 years on something that will help make the tires last longer and will warn you of a sudden tire deflation while you're driving. The TPMS isn't a substitute for an air gauge. And an air gauge won't tell you what is happening while you drive.

 

The glue from the black electrical tape etched the lense covering my speedo anyway!
This "kid" is 68 years old and a cheap old man. I bit the bullet and had all my sensors replaced with a set of new tires. Spare tire sensor too.

 

Replace them, or here's your answer... https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/complete-tpms-disable-guide.161292/

 

I don't really want to disable the system. My dilemma is that the tires are prob at 50% life so I have to decide if I want to put new sensors in old tires, or get new tires that I don't need yet. Thanks for the feedback everyone!

 

Just a bit of info... Daughter just bought a 2010 Matrix last Friday. Had the blinking TPMS indicting one or more sensors are bad. I sent her to Les Schwab. One bad sensor, $98 total.