TPMS System losing it's mind?

[cb4017]

Folks, anyone else's TPMS system getting wonky?

Around a month ago I started getting intermittent TPMS Sensor error warnings and the left front tire stopped reading. Took it to the dealer. They "relearned" the system and it seemed to be fine.

Today the same thing happened on the way home from an overnight camping trip. This time it was the right rear tire that was not reading.

I'll take it in again but I'm starting to wonder if this is going to be a constant annoyance.

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[Dsc]

You might want to look at this link...

RFID interference can be a source of problems from TPMS sensors.

 

[cb4017]

You might want to look at this link...

RFID interference can be a source of problems from TPMS sensors.

Interesting. The fault cleared after sitting for several hours. I do run a dash cam. I think I'll take it out of the truck for awhile and see what happens.
Thanks!

 

[Rick - Saber]

Also possible the battery in the Tire sensor could be starting to go bad. Voltage dips a little sometimes and causes sensor to read faulty.

 

[slowmachine]

Also possible the battery in the Tire sensor could be starting to go bad. Voltage dips a little sometimes and causes sensor to read faulty.

And you can read the battery voltage in most sensors with professional TPMS tools, so this is a simple diagnosis requiring no disassembly.

 

[cb4017]

Also possible the battery in the Tire sensor could be starting to go bad. Voltage dips a little sometimes and causes sensor to read faulty.

I guess that's possible but both times it happened it showed a different tire with the faulty sensor.

 

[Dsc]

Just a FYI on TPMS batteries they once said 10 years before they would need replacement but i have seen this spec drop to 5 years based on environment (salt and humidity). The problem is OEM make a type of sensor for a few years. When you go and replace the failed sensor the stock is pretty much just as old as the last time it was manufacture, so battery life is already compromised. You can retrofit but it is hit or miss on whether your system will accept them and for how long. I have replaced the batteries in my 2007 Explorer banded versions but worked for about 4 months and then faulted again.

 

[cb4017]

You might want to look at this link...

RFID interference can be a source of problems from TPMS sensors.

Well, it appears RFI was not the problem. I removed the dashcam from the truck. Nothing else plugged in. Got the TPMS sensor error after a little driving. Got an appointment tomorrow with the dealer.

ETA: anyone know if a 5th TPMS sensor in the spare could cause this problem?

 

[Dsc]

Usually the spare doesn’t have a sensor installed from the factory. Not real clear in the owners manual but it does say the dash light will be on when using the spare. Which indicates to me that the spare doesn’t have one or the system would read it. This system seems to be able to train itself from what others have reported, when rotating at least.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Usually the spare doesn’t have a sensor installed from the factory. Not real clear in the owners manual but it does say the dash light will be on when using the spare. Which indicates to me that the spare doesn’t have one or the system would read it. This system seems to be able to train itself from what others have reported, when rotating at least.

HI Alan,

Correct....Spare does not have TPMS

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[cb4017]

Usually the spare doesn’t have a sensor installed from the factory. Not real clear in the owners manual but it does say the dash light will be on when using the spare. Which indicates to me that the spare doesn’t have one or the system would read it. This system seems to be able to train itself from what others have reported, when rotating at least.

Normally true. I should have added that I converted my spare to a road wheel, with TPMS sensor, a few months ago so I could do 5 tire rotations.

 

[HDR]

Just a FYI on TPMS batteries they once said 10 years before they would need replacement but i have seen this spec drop to 5 years based on environment (salt and humidity). The problem is OEM make a type of sensor for a few years. When you go and replace the failed sensor the stock is pretty much just as old as the last time it was manufacture, so battery life is already compromised. You can retrofit but it is hit or miss on whether your system will accept them and for how long. I have replaced the batteries in my 2007 Explorer banded versions but worked for about 4 months and then faulted again.

Exactly. I found this out last year. The TPMS battery in my 2018 Focus died after 2 years ownership.

Forscan.....Disable TPMS......Done

Disabled on the Ranger also.

 

[Dsc]

Normally true. I should have added that I converted my spare to a road wheel, with TPMS sensor, a few months ago so I could do 5 tire rotations.

That is interesting, the training of the TPMS system allows for 4 sensor IDs to be logged into the computer. When a programming tool is used you can not have another sensor within 3 feet, like another vehicle parked close. Did this issue happen before the spare was changed? Also did you remove the spare and see if the fault stopped?
If the dealer just goes and verifies the sensors in training mode and are responding, the system may be confused about another TPMS sensor being present.

 

[cb4017]

That is interesting, the training of the TPMS system allows for 4 sensor IDs to be logged into the computer. When a programming tool is used you can not have another sensor within 3 feet, like another vehicle parked close. Did this issue happen before the spare was changed? Also did you remove the spare and see if the fault stopped?
If the dealer just goes and verifies the sensors in training mode and are responding, the system may be confused about another TPMS sensor being present.

Thanks! Evidently that is the problem I was having. The mechanic at the dealer explained that the system will only read 4 sensors. If it reads the spare instead of one of the tires on the road it gets confused because the spare isn't rotating.

At any rate, I remounted a tire on the steel spare wheel with no sensor and that seems to have taken care of the problem.

On the bright side, when I buy tires I'll only have to buy four.

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