TPMS tool / experts here?

[PoorOwner]

I have a TPMS tool and it can only program their brand sensor, this is common and that's ok. It works great that way.

I was just wondering since the tool can plug into the ODB2 and trigger relearn. If I know my car takes 315 mhz and I see a set from Ebay, can I just install them trigger relearn? (if the car supports ODB2 relearn or whatever strange procedure, the tool displays written instruction for each car)

I wouldn't think just a sensor 315 Mhz is enough to let the car know the sensor is for that car? Isn't there an identifier for the car's brand as well?

Ebay ones does not seem completely generic, they list a car brand / model so it should work?

The "programmable" sensor for my tool is around $90 for 4, and the Ebay ones are $35.
For example I search ebay for 56029526AA, they have a sensor of 4 for cheap, works on alot of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mitsubishi. etc. It looks very similar to my factory one, the factory one was continental.

 

[kbeefy]

I'm pretty sure it just needs to be the correct frequency. There is a procedure for manually entering the ID of the sensor via a scantool, but I never needed to do that.

The TPMS tool I had (Autel) would ping any sensor for relearn. Most sensors can also be triggered by lowering the air pressure.

I'm sure someone will come along with more TPMS experience than me soon....

 

[39CAMC]

Activating a sensor and programming/learning it to the car are two different things.

Most sensors, even OEM, are not activated out of the box because the part numbers may work for many applications (even a OEM sensor is not made by Ford, its a Shrader or Dill) The Autel and other branded sensors are also not activated because there is one part # for basically almost all cars (315 and 433)

In either case, activating is what tells it to send out at the correct frequency and gives it the correct ID numbers that the car is expecting.

Activating most sensors is brand dependent. Autel only activates Autel, etc.


Programming them to the car is the second step (for cars that don't learn automatically). This reads the ID number the sensors are broadcasting and puts it in the cars computer (or whatever oddball steps the car requires to learn)

All of the tools will learn any brand sensor to pretty much any car.

So, to answer your original question: If the eBay sensors are pre activated to your car, your tool will work to learn them to the car. eBay would obviously be a little more buyer beware, but most other places selling sensors (TIre Rack, etc) are activating them before shipping.

*I mostly have experience with Autel and Smart Sensors/31inc. I see my vendors sell Dill and Shrader that are labeled "Redi Sensors" and am not sure they are pre activated or what.

HTH,

DaveW

 

[65ranchero]

I have replaced sensors in my 2007 Volvo and added a set to my 2011 F150 for snow tires on rims and did not have to do any programming.

 

[39CAMC]

I have replaced sensors in my 2007 Volvo and added a set to my 2011 F150 for snow tires on rims and did not have to do any programming.

For the F150, did you have to put the vehicle in learning mode and use the trigger tool (garage door opener looking thing)? For Fords, most of the ones that DON'T show individual pressures require this (unless the new sensors are cloned from the existing ones) . The ones that show pressures pick them up automatically.

My point for the OP and others reading - almost literally every car model has a different procedure. It is not usually even consistent across a manufacturer. E.g A Escape might have a different learning procedure from a F150.

One can see the procedure needed for their car here https://tpmsnetwork.com/vehicle/2011-ford-f-150-1943/

@PoorOwner what brand tool do you have? I might be able to help you get sensors

DaveW

 

[PoorOwner]

Mine is Launch CRT5011e they are on Amazon.
I bought the sensors and cloned the ID so I didn’t need to deal with relearn.

The new sensors read from the tool much quicker and sometimes I use that to check the tire pressure instead of using a gauge on each tire.

Doesn’t seem like they will disappear overnight but with these things you never know.

 

[65ranchero]

For the F150, did you have to put the vehicle in learning mode and use the trigger tool

Nope! There is a procedure that is used to acclimate the sensors to the vehicle but I couldn't get it to work correctly
so I just gave up and no TPMS light.
Swap out tires summer to winter no problem install and go!

Volvo, same thing. new TPMS sensors and drive .
And Oh! by the way if one is bad replace them all they are due to fail all because of failed internal batteries

 

[39CAMC]

I misread your post, $90 for 4 sensors is a good deal. All of my sources are between $20-$27 each for various brands. Launch is a pretty big brand in automotive, I don't think they are going anywhere.

FWIW, I clone whenever possible to avoid relearns myself. I also don't mix the wheels up (location wise) when I do tires for customers, no reason to add a bunch of failure points to the interaction when not needed.

DaveW

 

[65ranchero]

For me there is no difference on position of wheels on the vehicle I swap out summers to winters and rotate front to rear on the swapped out sets for the season.
my vehicles doesn't seem to care
I will buy known brands of sensors Denso , Motorcraft ,( FOMOCO)
and always buy new. never Ebay used

 

[Xcursion88]

I'd never try and replace with used or even cheap new versions.

Autel will only work with Autel programmers.

VDO and Shrader are the best IMO. You only need worry about which stems you bave to match up. Black or Silver

 

[39CAMC]

I will buy known brands of sensors Denso , Motorcraft ,( FOMOCO)
and always buy new. never Ebay used

Just FYI (not arguing), the Motorcraft and other "OEM" are usually Shrader, VDO, Dill or Huf.

I'd never try and replace with used or even cheap new versions.

Autel will only work with Autel programmers.

VDO and Shrader are the best IMO. You only need worry about which stems you bave to match up. Black or Silver

TPMS Misinformation is my pet peeve because so many shops in my industry use it to screw customers which ticks me off, so just to clarify what I think we are agreeing on: Almost all brands need their own brand tool to activate new sensors. All tools will read all sensors and program most/all cars (that need it)



DaveW

 

[PoorOwner]

By the way DaveW, do you know if you can just break the bead and replace the TPMS sensor?

I have not tried it but I think the bead breaker can push it below the TPMS sensor, at least it seems this way for tire profile bigger than 50

 

[signcrafter]

By the way DaveW, do you know if you can just break the bead and replace the TPMS sensor?

I have not tried it but I think the bead breaker can push it below the TPMS sensor, at least it seems this way for tire profile bigger than 50

When I first bought my autel tpms tool I broke the bead and pushed it down far enough to replace the sensor. I did this for a few tires and then decided it was time to buy a tire machine. So yes it will work but it can be difficult, two people really help.

 

[Xcursion88]

Just FYI (not arguing), the Motorcraft and other "OEM" are usually Shrader, VDO, Dill or Huf.



TPMS Misinformation is my pet peeve because so many shops in my industry use it to screw customers which ticks me off, so just to clarify what I think we are agreeing on: Almost all brands need their own brand tool to activate new sensors. All tools will read all sensors and program most/all cars (that need it)



DaveW

My TPMS (the shop's) tool does every tpms ....at least all I've come across...with the exception of Autel.
Autel does NOT sell any software to anyone else as far as I know.

And you're also correct...i thought I had mentioned but VDO and Shrader are OEM suppliers.

IMO the VDO's redi-sensor seem to be the easiest to setup.

Shrader EZ-Sensor isn't difficult but they need to get a wake-up call, then get a homing address, then programmed to the specific vehicle.

VDO's pretty much install, wake them up with a tool and that's aboit it

Shrader

 

[39CAMC]

By the way DaveW, do you know if you can just break the bead and replace the TPMS sensor?

I have not tried it but I think the bead breaker can push it below the TPMS sensor, at least it seems this way for tire profile bigger than 50

It depends on on the tire and wheel combo. Some you can, some not so much. And then the tech needs to not drop the old sensor or stem parts down inside the tire, ask me how I know (I am the tech)

Some of them are pretty different sizes (with older ones seeming to be larger, newer smaller) so depending on how **** you want to be, you might want to check balance anyway.

My TPMS (the shop's) tool does every tpms ....at least all I've come across...with the exception of Autel.
Autel does NOT sell any software to anyone else as far as I know.

That would be cool to have a tool that activated all(most) brands, but I probably don't do enough TPMS work to justify it. And the new Autel tablet based one works pretty well for me.


DaveW

 

[Tuc04]

Slightly off topic, but what is a good (reasonably priced) TPMS tool for the DIYer? Specifically I have a 2008 Honda Odyssey I need to get working.

 

[PoorOwner]

Slightly off topic, but what is a good (reasonably priced) TPMS tool for the DIYer? Specifically I have a 2008 Honda Odyssey I need to get working.

I listed my budget TPMS tool in post #6. The price is comparable to paying a shop for 1 time swapping out all 4-5 sensors. It depends what you are trying to do now and how many cars in the future.

You preferably still need a tire machine to change the sensor.

 

[billford]

A little off topic.

I bought a Autel TS401 tpms tool a few years ago. The big selling point for me was the lifetime updates.

Well I found out, the TS401 is now discontinued and has no more "lifetime" updates.

 

[Xcursion88]

IMO of 30 years or so in the business.....

(TPMS hasn't been that long obviously).....

But

AUTEL is the absolute worst brand to deal with.

Huge PITA as I mentioned earlier. The only tool to do an AUTEL TPMS is an AUTEL programmer.

 

[Xcursion88]

Slightly off topic, but what is a good (reasonably priced) TPMS tool for the DIYer? Specifically I have a 2008 Honda Odyssey I need to get working.

Call your local garage and tell them you need a TPMS fixed. If you already know the wheel tell them which one and tell them it's a silver or black (whichever color your other valve stems are so you can match them...)
Then take in and get new installed.

A good TPMS tool is way too expensive for you to buy your own just to piss around with one TPMS.

Even if you need to do it again later...

If you brought it here it would be $50 plus the new sensor.....(45-65$)
In other words around $100 or less.
If you need more than one it's cheaper average then.

The good TPMS (only good one IMO) are made by one vendor and rebranded by many companies.





Notice anything similar about those?