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What do you mean, ''We can't reset your TPMS''

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by lester williams, Aug 31, 2014.

  1. lester williams

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    Ordered a new set of 16'' wheels and a set of Michelin Premier tires for them, with new TPMS installed and balanced, ready to install on car. After discovering that it costs around $100 to get the car re-programmed to the new TPMS, I hesitated about having this done. Yesterday, I finally decided that since I has spent so much for the stupid things I about as well get them programmed, after buying them. I went to the dealer,, they said, '' the computer is not reading any sensors in there''.......WTH?? I called ''Discount Tire'' [ the vendor ] immediately and to their credit, they were very courteous, concerned, and had me email an IPhone 5S pic of valve stem with cap off---- they said, ''No, there is not the sensors in those tires'' and refunded the cost back to my C.C..
    The TPMS's that I am finding online now are $35--$40 each, plus getting tires broke down and installed, re-balanced, I will just forego the TPMS on these wheels. I probably will just put the factory tires back on when my 16''s wear out and it will be programmed then...... screwy deal, it seems...It is ridiculous to have to pay $100 to change wheels......
     
  2. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    Thank the federal government to the law that makes TPMS mandatory.
     
  3. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Get this "Mongoose" cable clone mini-vci with Techstream and delete the old ones and then add your own from the ones installed by Discount Tire.



    I hope that Discount Tire recorded the serial numbers on the TPMS sensors, before they mounted them.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I don't intend to buy any replacement TPMS, unless I'm absolutely forced to. They're a commendable concept, but Toyota's implementation is a costly, complicated mess.

    Don't have them on our snows (on separate rims). Kinda miss them, but it is not worth the hassle.
     
  5. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    There were no serial numbers to record.
    The OP said the TPMS sensors weren't installed/included after all, and was refunded.

    SCH-I535
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is this law a result of the ford explorer debacle?
     
  7. lester williams

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    It is my understanding that Toyota dealers HAVE to re-program the TPMS with their equipment--- is this not correct???------[ edit to re-phrase my question,,,,, Does the dealers have to be the ones re-programming the TPMS, as only their equipment has the ability to re-program the computer in the car?]
     
    #7 lester williams, Sep 1, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2014
  8. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    The TPMS sensors are NOT "programmed." They are "registered" into he ecu.

    The "mini-vci" mongoose cable includes the Techstream program that the dealer uses to connect to the ecu through the OBDII port.

    Connecting Techstream to the car will allow the technician to "read" the registration numbers that are already entered into the system. It will allow the technician to delete and add registration numbers.

    The software does not "read" the TPMS registration numbers off of the transmitters in the tire.

    Those must be read off of the TPMS transmitter and entered in manually into the Techstream program.

    Most, if not nearly ALL, tire dealers and service centers do NOT have the Techstream software to delete or add TPMS sensor registration number.

    Given what the $25 cable and included program can do, it is worth every penny of the cost.
     
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  9. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    I chose to buy an ATEQ Quickset tool and it's worked well for me.
     
  10. chrisj428

    chrisj428 Active Member

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    My Discount Tire sold me TPMS sensors for my winter wheels. They are able to relearn the sensors to the vehicle with every changeover.
    (NB: It's now Discount Tire's policy to NOT install wheel/tire combinations which are not equipped with functioning TPMS sensors.)
     
  11. lester williams

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    Well,, I hesitated about ordering them originally-- as they are ripping us off at $69 per TMPS, but finally did order them installed [ and balanced ]. They just messed up the order, but were easy to work with after discovering the monitors did not get installed as paid for.
     
  12. chrisj428

    chrisj428 Active Member

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    How much do you think they should cost?
     
  13. lester williams

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    They are $35--$40 at most online sources,, a $100 mark-up on a set of TPMS seems excessive to an old man on S.S. I can order the exact same sensor, '' EZ-sensor'' from ''Auto Geek'' online for $35 each---- approx. 1/2 the price ''Discount'' asks.
























    40 online,, a $100 mark-up on a set of TPMS seems a little excessive to an old man on S.S.,,
     
  14. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That's a bit more of an impediment if you're doing your own seasonal tire changes, though. Not insurmountable, but... And when the battery's die on the buggers, I believe you have to buy new ones.

    Don't get me wrong, it's a great idea, but the cost and complexity, and being either tied into pros for tire swaps, or having to invest in ever more electronics and know how, it's hard to buy into this.
     
  16. CLUBGUY

    CLUBGUY Member

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    Want to be clear on the process...
    I have a complete set of oem wheels-tires-tpms that were originally from a "v"3 series installed on our "v"5 series..
    The ecu did NOT recognize the different sensors and I understand this; what I'm confused about is can the dealer read and register the new numbers into the ecu without unmounting and physically viewing the numbers..??
     
  17. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    You got that right. Thank the federal government. They gave us another worthless costly boondoggle we don't need. When my car is out of warranty and I have trouble with that system I will not fix it. You can spend a fortune on that system.
     
  18. chrisj428

    chrisj428 Active Member

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    I understand completely. Unfortunately, a few bad apples with no sense of personal responsibility and accountability have ruined it for the rest of us. You're correct - the batteries are not replaceable. Additionally, here's where the benefits of building a relationship come into play. While Discount may charge a little more for the sensors, they do the changeover and reprogramming of tires & sensors purchased from them free of charge.

    The sensors are read and registered electronically. A dismount and remount is not necessary.
     
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  19. CLUBGUY

    CLUBGUY Member

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    Thanks....
     
  20. mrwzrd

    mrwzrd Junior Member

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    I pre-flight the plane
    I TCLOCK the motorcycle
    I pre-drive the car

    I have never been caught with a low tire, and with the prius I have caught a leaking tire before the TPMS for one reason. I always walk around my car before I get in to check for damage and tires. I'd wager that 99 out of 100 drivers have not seen the passenger side of their car in a long long time and when you approach your car most people will be looking at the car, not the tires.

    TPMS is another example of technology making up for apathy, ignorance, lack of skills, arogance, or stupidity.
     
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