TPMS Sensor Issues

I'm at a loss of what to do and could use anyone's expertise and opinion...

My 2006 Tacoma had new tires and sensors installed at a Costco about 3 years ago. No issues until recently when I had a flashing TPMS alarm. I took it in to Costco to diagnose/replace the sensor. They replaced 1 sensor and sent me on my way. 2 days later the alarm was flashing again. I returned to Costco and was advised the other 4 sensors needed replacement as well. It all seemed too coincidental to me, but I went ahead and replaced the rest of the sensors. Fast forward a couple days again and the flashing sensor alarm returned. All in all I made 4 separate visits to Costco where they ultimately uninstalled the sensors and refunded my money. They went ahead and let me keep the new sensors since they no longer had my original ones (that were only a few years old and maybe weren't broken after all?) and the fact that they broke a stud after cross threading a lug nut on a previous visit....what a mess.

Fast forward to today. I've taken my truck to the local Toyota service department where I'm being told that the sensors sold by Costco are not readable/programmable and that it'll cost $1400 to replace all the sensors with OEM sensors. Besides the outrageous cost, any idea why Costco's sensors are giving me such a headache? Should I go to a separate tire shop and see if their sensors work? I know it's just a TPMS issue, but I like the idea of my truck telling me (or my wife) when there's an air pressure issue so I can fix it immediately.

Happy to hear anyone's thoughts or opinions. Thanks in advance.

 

Did they replace the one in the spare? Your truck has 5 working sensors.

I have these in my 2007 Tacoma, pretty sure the same part number works on a 2006. Buy 5 of these and go back to Costco. I put 5 of them in my 2007 a couple of years ago and they worked perfectly. I bought them and took them to Discount tire and they installed them at no additional cost along with the new tires.

I did have to find a used tire for my spare. Since the spare was over 10 years old Discount Tire, nor any reputable shop would touch it.

At most any tire store shouldn't charge you more than about $10-$15 each to install them. And after the Costco fiasco I'd press them to do it at no charge.

Cheaper to buy as a set:

$63 MORESENSOR 315MHz TPMS Tire Pressure Sensor 4-Pack | Compatible with Lexus & Toyota Select Models | Replacement for 42607-33011 | Clamp-in | NX-S008-4

Amazon.com: MORESENSOR 315MHz TPMS Tire Pressure Sensor 4-Pack | Compatible with Lexus & Toyota Select Models | Replacement for 42607-33011 | Clamp-in | NX-S008-4 : Automotive

Then you'll need one more for the spare.

$20 MORESENSOR Signature Series 315MHz TPMS Tire Pressure Sensor | Preprogrammed for Select 270+ Japanese Brand Models | Replacement for 42607-33011 | Clamp-in | NX-S008

Amazon.com: MORESENSOR Signature Series 315MHz TPMS Tire Pressure Sensor | Preprogrammed for Select 270+ Japanese Brand Models | Replacement for 42607-33011 | Clamp-in | NX-S008 : Automotive

I have Amazon TPMS sensors in 3 vehicles. They all cost about $20 each and have all worked perfectly.

 

I appreciate the response. Yeah, all 5 sensors were replaced over the course of a few weeks. From what I'm reading Costco will only install sensors purchased from the warehouse. I'm thinking I'll give it a shot and buy some on Amazon and find a local shop that will do it.

 

Another option is Discount Tire that warrantees the sensors but about $60 each installed and programmed so not cheap - but they do what Costco should have.
Never had a problem plus if you wack one off-road in rock fields they replace free - like chip the top of the valve stems (threaded area) but never had one leak or deflate.

 

Not suggesting you'll have the same issues, but I tried the Amazon ones and the local tire shop (managed by a tw member) could not get the amazon sensors to read. I wound up getting generic ones from them. I wanna say they were around 100/ea? Can't really remember, but can look it up if you want.

 

Forgetting about the sensor in the spare is a common issue.

And like you I like having working sensors and have never had a negative issue with them. You'll find lots of threads about disabling them and I'm surprised no one has suggested that so far. They aren't designed to replace an air gauge. They are designed to warn you of a sudden deflation while driving and give you time to get stopped before the tire completely fails. I've had that happen before and was glad the sensors gave me a few seconds advance warning.

I bought a used Jeep Wrangler a few years ago and the original owner had aftermarket tires with no sensors when I bought it. I ordered the same brand from Amazon and a small local tire store installed them for $10 each.

The last time I had new tires mounted on both my Tacoma and F150 I proactively replaced the sensors. They were still working, but I knew they would not outlast another set of tires. I don't consider around $80 every 7-10 years to be a problem. I'd hate to have to go with $1400 factory sensors. So far all of the ones I've bought are working fine.

 

The batteries in my 2007's sensors died a few years back. I use a $10 pressure gauge now just like the good old days... problem solved.

 

My original sensors in my 09 are still working ! When they die I'll use a tire pressure gauge as well...

 

You need to do some troubleshooting before you spend any more on sensors. You may have a problem with a TPWS component in the truck, not the sensor(s). Either way, you need to see what the TPWS system is doing.

My next step would be to plug my laptop into the OBD port, run Techstream, and look for error codes and weirdness in the TPWS system. You should be able to see the pressures of all of the sensors in Techstream and figure out which is mounted to which tire by adding and subtracting air.

Techstream is Toyota's service software. Old versions may be found for free on the net. A laptop-to-OBD cable may be purchased on the net.

 

Here's a story on counterfeit TPMSs

https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-ne...ts-of-counterfeit-car-sensors-in-minneapolis/

 

I've always had good luck with Discount. When it comes to change mine, I'll go there. I like the way they do business & their employees. $60 is fine with me.



Made in Germany, "wunderbar" LOL!

 

You can get these (alloy wheel model) direct from Denso online for about $40 each.

https://www.densoproducts.com/denso-550-0103-tpms-sensor

I got them there, had Discount Tire install and link them when I had new tires installed. Work like a charm, and no concerns about counterfeits.

 

Wow, interesting story.

 

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm going to purchase some cheaper ones and see if Discount or somewhere less expensive than the dealer can fix the issue.

 

Try airing down your tires and then air them back up. Denso TPMS sensors need to be woken up with this technique. I'm not sure if other brands work in the same manner.

 

Why not buy the OEM Denso from rock auto for $36/each?

 

The above two posts are what I did. I had a bad sensor, and another one on it's way out (low battery). I bought two

$38 Denso 5500103 Denso 550-0103 TPMS 315-MHZ Sensor for Toyota/Lexus with Factory Alloy Wheel Options. (THIS SENSOR MUST BE PROGRAMMED BEFORE USE), Black

Denso 5500103 sensors from RA and had a local tire shop replace/install them, since I don't have a tire machine. I have a Snap-On Modis scan tool, which has Toyota TPMS functions. When I first tried to enter the sensor IDs (all five had to be entered, even though only two were new), the scan tool initiated a test after ID entry - this failed. There is a tag on the sensor stem that says if you don't have a TPMS tool with "updated software", you can wake up the sensor by releasing air from the tire for three seconds (or more). After releasing air from the two tires with new sensors, I input the IDs again and the scan tool completed the test cycle successfully. I did the relearn procedure with the under-dash button, and no more warning light.

 

Discount Tire also did my old tacoma for $60 per sensor installed and programmed. Hope that helps!

 

I paid a tire shop $140 to install their tpms sensor and program it because Discount Tire said they have issues with the sensors they have with Toyotas and they could not guarantee that they tpms light would go out.

 

After reading this thread I'm glad I didn't let Costco replace my sensors. The sensors crapped out about 6 months after the purchase. They were stock. I solve the problem with some black felt and a tire pressure gauge.