TPMS Operation for Vehicles Without Wheel Mounted TPMS Sensors

[Shipkiller]

The following write up is directly from the BMW WDS.

TPMS (Tire Defect Indicator, DSC MK60)

The tire defect indicator RPA is designed to monitor the tire status while driving. For this purpose, the ABS speed sensors determine the speed of the four wheels independent of each other. A calculation logic stage implemented in the DSC control module evaluates the received data and makes the corresponding information available to the driver as required thus informing the driver of a possible tire defect.

1. System structure

The tire defect indicator consists of the following components:

• 4 ABS speed sensors (already fitted)
• 1 DSC control module (already fitted)
• 1 Wiring harness
• 1 calibration button (RPA button)
• 1 DME control module (already fitted)
• 1 Lateral-acceleration sensor (already fitted)
• 1 Yaw rate sensor (already fitted)
• 1 Signal lamp

2. Functions

The main function of the system is to monitor the tire pressure while driving. The tire pressure to be monitored is determined by the driver. With the aid of the reset button the driver instructs the system to adopt the current set of wheels with the selected tire pressure as the set reference.
If the speed of a wheel changes as the result of losing air pressure, the control module sends a corresponding signal dependent on the pressure deviation to the driver information system (warning lamp and gong).

2.1 System statuses

The RPA system differentiates between 5 operating statuses:

2.1.1 ”Active” status

After ”switching on” the ignition and after a self-test, the RPA assumes the ”active” status. If the tire pressure corresponds to the pressure set by the driver minus a permissible tolerance, no message is issued to the driver.

2.1.2 ”Warning” status

The signal lamp lights up red and an acoustic signal sounds. The state ”Warning” (pressure drop of approx 30%) indicates that road safety is no longer assured. In the state ”Warning”, it is not possible to run the learning procedure. Pressing the RPA button for 4 seconds resets the RPA to the ”Active” state.

2.1.3 ”Inactive” status

The warning lamp lights yellow. In the ”Inactive” state, all RPA functions are shut down.

2.1.4 ”Fault” status

The warning lamp lights yellow. The ”Fault” state is created by a sensor fault detected by the DSC control module or RPA button actuation of more than 120 seconds. With ”Ignition On” as well as on starting diagnosis, the RPA becomes active again and then again reports a fault in the case of a sensor fault or a time-out of the RPA button signal.

2.1.5. ”Learning” (Standardization) status

The learning status is initiated by pressing the RPA button for 4 seconds. The warning lamp lights up for 12 seconds to confirm the start. The learning procedure must be run every time the tire inflation pressure is corrected or after a tire change. The driver is responsible for ensuring the tire inflation pressure is set correctly. The system cannot carry out a plausibility check. The system is able to detect a reduction in tire pressure of approx 50% of the cold air pressure after a minimum of 10 minutes. As the learning procedure progresses, the pressure difference detected as a tire failure reduces to approx. 30%.

2.1.6 New status

The warning lamp flashes yellow. In the case of new DSC control modules, all RPA functions are disabled. The RPA system is activated by initiating the learning procedure.

3. Diagnosis

The sensors used by the RPA system are already monitored by the ABS and DSC. The RPA will also signal a fault if the ABS and DSC detect a fault.
The following event triggers an additional entry in the fault memory:

• Pressing the RPA button for longer than 120 seconds.