TPMS sensor reader/tool?

[aaronrkelly]

I have a sensor error on my 2013 Explorer Im assuming is due to a sensor with a low battery. Instead of paying someone $100 to diagnose this Id rather by a tool and do this myself.

Im reading alot....but still a bit confused.

Does anyone have a tool they are using and are particularly fond of? Any advice?

 

[aaronrkelly]

No I have a couple decent scan tools. TPMS = Tire Pressure Monitor System

 

[kctyphoon]

My mistake, post deleted.. My father had a really hard time finding the tire that was tripping is tpms too. Checked all 4 tires and all were fine.. Wound up being the spare on the rear tailgate. Don't know if that helps..

 

[HomeTheaterMan]

I too am wondering this. It would be nice to have, but it's hard for me to justify the cost of most of the ones I've seen since I wouldn't use it very often.

 

[AmishFury]

only ones i have experience with are not cheap by any stretch and are owned by the shop... schrader bridgeport 21230 and bartec tech 400 pro

i prefer the bartec... i checked once to see what that unit costs... $1600ish

just stop by any tire shop or walmart chances are they will do it cheap or free

 

[DanInVA]

Just curious op, how many miles are on the car? Your warranty is probably 3yr/36k, it may be covered. 3 years is awfully short for a tpms sensor, the batteries are normally supposed to be good for about 10 years.

Sorry I can't be more helpful on a tpms tool, the bartec 400sd is the one I am familiar with. It is a great tool, but you need to use it a fair bit to make it worth it.

 

[ngk22r]

I have the würth tpms sensor aid that I used to program sensors to any car. Dont remember how much it was but it works great.

 

[Fedwrench]

Was it damaged when you got new tires? 2013 is pretty new for the sensor to fail. At any rate, I use this one from ATEQ:

http://www.tooltopia.com/ATEQ-vt30.aspx

You can read the sensor, and relearn the tire positions with it. A little pricey just for home use though.

A decent scantool will also perform these functions too.

Given the price of a replacement sensor, the need to break the tire down to replace it, and the seldom times you'll use the tool, it might be cheaper in the long run to have someone else fix it.

The sensors basically contain a battery, a pressure sensor, & a tiny rf transmitter sealed in plastic. Replacement & relearning are the only servicing. They're pretty bulletproof aside from careless tire dismounting or impact damage.

 

[rhandwor]

A lot of times checking air pressure on all tires will turn off the light.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I would see about a place like walmart or sears. If you really want to try tinkering with it yourself some fords are activated with a magnet like this
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004A42MZI/?tag=atomicindus08-20
You can look up the procedure to put the vehicle in learn mode then go around lf, rf, rr, lr & trigger the sensors. If one doesn't make the horn chirp it's bad. This is also how you get the system to recognize a new sensor.


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[3 Gun Shooter]

Ford sells the tool to trigger their sensors, was $20 at the dealer.

It's under Motorcraft TPMS19, $30 on Amazon

 

[ngk22r]

Was it damaged when you got new tires? 2013 is pretty new for the sensor to fail. At any rate, I use this one from ATEQ:

http://www.tooltopia.com/ATEQ-vt30.aspx

You can read the sensor, and relearn the tire positions with it. A little pricey just for home use though.

A decent scantool will also perform these functions too.

Given the price of a replacement sensor, the need to break the tire down to replace it, and the seldom times you'll use the tool, it might be cheaper in the long run to have someone else fix it.

The sensors basically contain a battery, a pressure sensor, & a tiny rf transmitter sealed in plastic. Replacement & relearning are the only servicing. They're pretty bulletproof aside from careless tire dismounting or impact damage.

That is the one used by some dealers as the official tool to program the sensors with the factory diagnostic scanner/computer but will work to trigger the sensors as well. I would suggest this one at its price point to diagnosing which sensor is bad. Gives info about the sensor ID #, frequency of the sensor, pressure it is reading and battery status. Good to know if the sensor is actually producing the correct pressure reading too.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

That is the one used by some dealers as the official tool to program the sensors with the factory diagnostic scanner/computer but will work to trigger the sensors as well. I would suggest this one at its price point to diagnosing which sensor is bad. Gives info about the sensor ID #, frequency of the sensor, pressure it is reading and battery status. Good to know if the sensor is actually producing the correct pressure reading too.

Just looked at the TPMS tool you recommend, how does it work on Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan and Kia?

 

[ngk22r]

Just looked at the TPMS tool you recommend, how does it work on Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan and Kia?

The Würth tool?

I have used it on Toyota, Honda and Nissan and its easy to use. Same procedure for each one or any as it only communicates with the TMP module. Just follow the instructions and you can program new sensors, factory or the Würth replacement units.

After you replace a sensor and put the wheel back on the car, I scan each sensor into the tools memory by position on the car, then plug in the OBD connector portion and use the cable to connect the two and go through the prompts to then program the data to the car. Codes will be cleared and then all you do is drive to verify all is good.

The other tool Fedwrench gave a link too can trigger a sensor (sometimes sensors are good but will get out of synch with the TPM module) and is used in conjuction with a factory software on a laptop/factory scan tool. Still a good tool as it can show you the status of each sensor if you are unable to change it yourself and you will know if it is bad or not. Downfall is it wont clear a TMPS code but can get it to shut off if your trigger the sensor back as long as it is a good sensor.

 

[Greg85mcss]

Just looked at the TPMS tool you recommend, how does it work on Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan and Kia?

That one works well for toyota & nissan. Haven't used it on hyundai or kia.


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[57TWPW]

try Dorman products. they have a universal one at a decent price.

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