TPMS

[Steenos]

So I recently had front tires put on the M. When I left the shop the tpms light was still on. Pulled over at a gas station and made sure that 31psi was in all four tires.

Hit the reset light. Still comes on. I would drive it for a bit, light goes off, then the light starts blinking again and then solid. I would reset it a few more times and the same process would happen.

A friend of mine said to put 34 psi in the tires. Went to a gas station again and put 34 psi in the tires. The tires were still at 31 psi so no air loss has occurred in the tires. Tried to reset the light again and the same scenario happened.

Wondering if this has happened to anyone else. Wondering if I should go back to the shop and get the tpms checked out.

[ried]

My car did this when I bought it from the previous owner. It ended up being a connection issue with the wiring in the car. In my case, the wires carrying the TPMS signal from the receiver in the wheel well to the computer were shorting out (the shielding had melted above the rear muffler). I fixed the wiring and it was golden.

So, you might not have a problem with the TPMS. It could be the wiring running from that wheel well to the computer.

[Twixboy]

Stupid question, but did the tire shop install a new TPMS service kit when the new tires were put on?

[wdb]

Originally Posted by Steenos

Wondering if I should go back to the shop and get the tpms checked out.

Yes. Tell them it worked when the car came into their shop and tell them you expect them to put it back in working order.

[XMetal]

One of your TPMS may not be working properly. This happened when I had a temporary wheel installed on my car without a TPMS - It will blink for a while and then stayed on solid.

[Shipkiller]

If you have access to... or know someone that does.. or a shop who has... the INPA or Reingold software, then you can tell immediately if it is a wheel sensor, specifically which wheel or a TPMS (DSC) control unit issue.

Your TPMS wheel sensors are only rated for a battery life of 10 years. There is many reasons why they do not last that long.

[XMetal]

Slightly off topic. If you have to put new TPMS, do you have to program the car to look for the new TPMS?

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by XMetal

Slightly off topic. If you have to put new TPMS, do you have to program the car to look for the new TPMS?

I replaced mine with aftermarket TPMS in new wheels at one point. The standard process to reset the TPMS worked. However, the life on the aftermarket TPMS didn't last as long as stock.

[XMetal]

Thanks. I'll look for OE when I need a new set since they're not that much more than aftermarket

[Steenos]

So I went back to the tire shop today. They checked out the sensors. All the sensors are reading fine. He put the system back in to "learn" mode. And he said yeah the tire pressure is a little high (because i put 34psi in) but thats alright. The light still goes off. What does that mean?

[Steenos]

Took back to the tire shop for the 3rd time today. Same thing. Nothing is faulting. The pressure was a little low but not terrible. They filled up all tires to 30psi. I got the light to reset off when I was sitting there.

When I start driving down the road after 5 minutes or so the light starts blinking again. Then stays solid. I'll reset it off again and the same process happens over and over again. So frustrating.

[Steenos]

So I think I'm starting to realize that at least one of the TPMS is failing. They weren't failing before I took it to the shop. Ugh. Whatever. Just frustrating. Is there any way to see which sensor is gone? I really don't want to have to replace all of them.

[pokeybritches]

Originally Posted by Steenos

...Is there any way to see which sensor is gone?...

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

If you have access to... or know someone that does.. or a shop who has... the INPA or Reingold software, then you can tell immediately if it is a wheel sensor, specifically which wheel or a TPMS (DSC) control unit issue...

I would look into converting the TPMS to monitor wheel speed sensors instead of the TPMS sensors, like the 2006 cars.

[Shipkiller]

Originally Posted by Steenos

So I think I'm starting to realize that at least one of the TPMS is failing. They weren't failing before I took it to the shop. Ugh. Whatever. Just frustrating. Is there any way to see which sensor is gone? I really don't want to have to replace all of them.

Due to the age of your car, tt may be more cost effective to replace all at once. The batteries on the sensors are only good for an average of 10 years, although do not confuse 'good for an average' to absolutely 10 years or warranted for 10 years....

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

I would look into converting the TPMS to monitor wheel speed sensors instead of the TPMS sensors, like the 2006 cars.

Why?

[Twixboy]

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

Due to the age of your car, tt may be more cost effective to replace all at once. The batteries on the sensors are only good for an average of 10 years, although do not confuse 'good for an average' to absolutely 10 years or warranted for 10 years....

Along those same lines, batteries on these sensors tend to last longer in cold climates and fail earlier in warm climates. Steenos lives in TN, so he's better off replacing all 4 now.

[Steenos]

Fuck. haha

[Arsonism]

Originally Posted by Steenos

Took back to the tire shop for the 3rd time today. Same thing. Nothing is faulting. The pressure was a little low but not terrible. They filled up all tires to 30psi. I got the light to reset off when I was sitting there.

When I start driving down the road after 5 minutes or so the light starts blinking again. Then stays solid. I'll reset it off again and the same process happens over and over again. So frustrating.

This is how mine behaved after the first set of tires I changed on it. I tried all sorts of different things, even nitrogen to try to get it just right through the climates. I couldn't find a balance and I worked the button just habitually every time I got into the car. I've officially given up on it and asked the shop it's at now to just flat out disabled the thing. I check my tires most every time I get in the car regardless.

[dc_wright]

Originally Posted by Steenos

Fuck. haha

What brand and model tire did you have installed?

[pokeybritches]

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

Why?

To avoid this problem in the future. The wheel speed sensor method may not offer the same quick response as TPMS sensors, but IMHO you will know it if you have a blowout. They pick up slow leaks just fine.

The TPMS sensors are added cost and weight, and they can be damaged during tire changes.

[Steenos]

Originally Posted by dc_wright

What brand and model tire did you have installed?

Continental Extreme Contact DW

[MZHammer]

Originally Posted by Steenos

Continental Extreme Contact DW

Sorry to hear about the TPMS issue. How do you like the tires so far? I had a set on my old 328i and really liked them. They are the front runner for my new spring rubber at the moment, so interested to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

[MotoM]

I have a 06 Z4M and just purchased new wheels and tires. I explained to discount tire about the sensors and I need them transferred. They informed me on my model I don't have sensors but more of a indirect system. I didn't believe them so when the tire came off I inspected it and they were right, no TPMS and my light never illuminated. I'm really happy with new wheels and tires with no mods or tuning.