Problem with programmable (cloneable) TPMS Sensor from Les Schwab

So after reading the stickied thread on TPMS sensors, I decided that a set of programmable sensors was the ticket for my winter wheels. I called around to a few local shops here in Boise and found that Les Schwab has programmable sensors, so I decided to go in and talk to them about it.

I talked to a guy who seemed pretty familiar with them, but he was not a huge fan. He told me of a Prius they had recently had in that they'd installed their cloneable sensors on. Apparently they would constantly lose sync with the ECU. He said it might work until you go home, but then they would stop communicating with the ECU, and pushing the TPMS reset didn't resolve the issue. He said they eventually just went to an OE sensor and everything was right again.

After talking to the manufacturer of the cloneable TPMS sensors, they decided it was a valve stem angle issue, and that these particular sensors would only work well in OEM wheels because most aftermarket wheels had the valve stems at the wrong angle. So since I needed to get a set of wheels I just went ahead and sprung for a set of the black FJ Trail team wheels from my local dealer and took them down to Les Schwab today.

They got everything installed, and it worked great for the 15 block drive home, but later this evening when I went out to grab some dinner, the TPMS light was on. I stopped and did a reset, but still no bueno. Because I installed Load Range E 265/75R16 tires, I thought maybe they'd put 60 PSI in them or something, but nope, they were all reading a healthy 40 PSI.

So it looks like I may be having the same issue he described, I will probably head back in tomorrow and have them take a look, but I don't really care to do all this running back and forth. The reason I wanted cloned sensors was so that I didn't have to deal with shops, I could just throw my winter wheels on and off at my own convenience. I am not going to be happy if I have to go with OEM sensors, and pay to have them reprogrammed every time I swap back and forth, that's a load of horseshit.

 

Went out this morning because it was quite a bit colder and checked tire pressures. They ranged from 30-36 PSI, so I went ahead and bumped them back up to the 46 PSI recommended on the door. I tried to reset the TPMS, but no bueno, it just flashed for a full minute on start up, and then stayed solid, refusing to be reset. So I imagine I am dealing with a communication issue the guy at Les Schwab mentioned.

I am curious if others have had issues with the Discount Tire or Tire Rack version of these sensors?

 

You can't go by the sticker now that you have LT load range e tires. 46 sounds high for oem tires anyway. If i were you i'd just cover up the light on the dash while the winter tires are on and check them once in a while with pressure gauge.

 

46 PSI is what's on the door jamb, so I assume that is what the TPMS sensor is looking for. I read that changing tire sizes can have an effect, but I don't know how to compensate for that.

If Les Schwab can't get it working I will ask for my money back and do the electrical tape mod.

 

Hey I know this is a really old thread, but I'm curious if you ever found a resolution to your TPMS clone issue? I'd like to do this same setup but don't want the issues of it causing the warning light to go off.

 

I have the same problem.
When I had my Ray10s mounted last summer they used the stock TPMS, no problems.
Now I had the tires mounted back to the stock rims for winter, using new TPMS.
The stock TPMS stayed in the Ray10s with the intention that I will mount up new tires in spring when I do my lift.
1st time they could only get two TPMS to read. They ordered 2 new ones. That didn't work.
They ordered 4 new TPMS. 1st time they didn't all read.
2nd time they all read, but light come back on after 5 miles.
Check pressure, all at 32psi
I just might ask if I can just have old school valve stems put in. And get my money back.
FYI,, not Less Schwab,

 

go without sensors, sold my oem wheels and tires with sensors, got 2 sets of wheels and tires now without sensors, ive lived whithout sensors for 40 yrs. and will continue to do so

 

This is first vehicle with TPMS. For the last 35 plus years been using an air gauge

I like the old school way of doing it.
Newer is not always better