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Tire Pressure Warning Light - Dead Sensor..

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by LulzChicken, Jun 15, 2010.

  1. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    Thanks for that information! I really appreciate it.

    As my journey continues.. I just went back to the dealer this afternoon and they did indeed replace the TPMS Receiver (ECU). I'll let you know if any other trouble arises. :rolleyes:
     
  2. nwprius

    nwprius Member

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    I like the TPMS it has saved me twice. Once a screw in the tire and once, believe it on not, a blackberry barb from a vine growing across my driveway. Each time the warning allowed me to get to a station before I had to change the tire myself.

    AND, no, the high pressure will not cause the problem. However a car parked on asphalt with one side in sun and the other in shade can cause a very considerable difference in pressure.

    Sounds more like you have a failing sensor though. Many compressors do not have water vapor removers and can pump a considerable amount of water into you tire, bad news for the sensors.

    Good luck.
     
  3. bagwell

    bagwell Active Member

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    bump for outcome.....
     
  4. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    Hey there everyone, it has been brought to my attention that I have no updated this thread in quite some time. Sorry about that! However - ever since I got the TPMS ECU replaced, I have had ZERO problems. Everything is working absolutely perfect. I figured that was the issue all along, and sure enough, it was. If you have this issue - I suggest they switch the ECU first - as they replaced sensors on my tires and that didn't work.
     
  5. bagwell

    bagwell Active Member

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    good news!

    thanks for the update

    I guess you didn't ask if you could keep your old sensors?
    they probably threw them away :(
     
  6. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    Probably up on eBay...:eek:
     
  7. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    I didn't ask. The dealership is always really busy and all. Oh well. They only replaced the right rear sensor anyway.
     
  8. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    Bumping for another update - On Saturday night, Aug 21, the light blinked for a minute, and stayed on for a few minutes. I was doing slow city driving, at night, and the temperature was around 75. The light went away after about 5 minutes of driving. Think this is something to tell Toyota about once again? Or should I live with it? Your opinion is appreciated.
     
  9. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    Yes I would tell them and it might be best to do it fairly quickly. It could easily fail again and if you let them know maybe they can keep the case open.
     
  10. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    They called me about a week after I got the ECU replaced, and I told them everything was fine. However now this occurred. Looks like I may have to start from point 0. I kinda wish they would offer me some type of compensation for having to deal with this repetitive issue.:eek:hwell: I'll call them up and ask for a case manager.
     
  11. jrct9454

    jrct9454 Junior Member

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    Is it safe to assume you've checked the pressures after the latest incident to be sure there isn't a legitimate problem? [Just asking, in case....]
     
  12. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    I sure have, all pressures are as they should be. Also - if it WAS a pressure problem - the light would just come on and stay on. As stated in the manual: when the light blinks, then is staying on it's a malfunction in the TPMS warning system.
     
  13. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    Wow! You got a lemon. Hopefully they kept a file on what they changed, because now it's seeming one of the TPMS sensors is faulty; what else could it be? They should just replace all of them.
     
  14. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    Sure seems like I have one, doesn't it? I updated my case on this whole issue by calling my case manager at a 1-800 number. She had the dealer contact me, which they did (yesterday). They told me to bring the car in anytime, and my service rep would be there everyday except for Wednesday. I said alright, and that I would bring it in sometime soon. So, I got up early on my day off (Saturday) and my service rep is NOT working:rolleyes:. So I told another rep what was going on, and he said it's not going to be worth waiting on today - because there isn't much they can do. He said they only have 2 diagnostic technicians on staff and that I should call to schedule an appointment after they have done more "research". I then drove 20 miles back home, with nothing done to the vehicle.

    I'm going to call the service rep and tell him that if I'm going to bother driving my car out there the 5th time - and it comes back still not functioning properly, they can say goodbye to my business. Wish me luck. This is pissing me off.
     
  15. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    Light came on again yesterday night - sorry to bump - I'm keeping a log for myself.
     
  16. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    It's been awhile, any resolution on your problem? I found this thread through the link you had in the other thread about a possible link between the TPMS problem and LED lights... Has there been any real connection made, or is this still just speculation?

    I'm curious because I'm getting ready to install the DRL module and want to convert to LED lights for the front turn signals (which also act as the DRLs). I'm wanting the LEDs due to fear heat from having the standard bulbs on all the time could warp the housing or lense, and the LEDs are much cooler. But, I don't want that swap to create bigger problems like what you are experiencing...
     
  17. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    Nope Paul, hate to say it but I don't have a resolution. It rarely happens though. I think the last time it happened was about a month ago. Seems like every month or so it happens. It doesn't always occur at night either - I tried one last time to meet up with my service adviser who has been with me through this and he told me he would be at the dealership everyday except Wednesday. So, I went Saturday and sure enough he wasn't there. I explained my long journey of problems with this TPMS system to another adviser and he basically told me that Saturdays are not a good day to diagnose my car because they have near no techs back there on Saturdays. So, I walked out and left. Next time when I go in for an oil/tire rotation I'm not going to leave till the problem is solved. I love the car, but this problem really pisses me off.
     
  18. adrianblack

    adrianblack Member

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    This thread is really disturbing to me .. again because the dealer is doing such shoddy work.

    1. A solid TPMS light (no flashing after turning the car on) indicates low tire pressure. Correct the pressure and it will go away. Do not hit the reset button.

    2. Flashing for 1 minute then solid indicates a problem with the system OTHER than low tire pressure. The dealer should connect TechStream to the car and pull the codes. This takes 1 minute. (I'm not kidding.) The system is very specific and can indicate unregistered codes, sensor malfunctions, interference, etc etc. I do not see how it's possible the light can be on (or was on then turned off) without codes being stored. If that is the case the ECU is bad.

    Also, high tire pressure does not cause an error. A way out of bound reading like 150psi will cause the flashing error (assumed bad sensor) but not having 50psi or whatever.

    --

    The dealers are just so lazy. Car comes in, they clear the codes and send the customer home. That is just terrible! That is not a solution and the service manual has clear troubleshooting steps for various scenarios. *SIGH*

    When you go back, have them pull the codes from the TPMS ECU and have them tell you specifically what they are. Have them write down the actual code. Post the errors here.
     
  19. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    I agree, except 1 minute is a little bit of an understatement ;)...it was closer to about 5 for me to get to all of the data last week, but really, I totally agree with the point you were making.

    Rather than have them write the codes down, tell them you want them to PRINT THE SCREEN. That way, nothing gets mis-written or mis-interpreted due to handwriting issues.

    Your other option, is to pay $55 for the 2 day subscription and I could let you borrow a cable for use with TechStream. You'll have to have a laptop with Windows XP, however, for this particular cable drivers. For some people, time spent going to/from the dealer, etc is money and the $55 to DIY for the DTCs is worthwhile.
     
  20. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    Exactly! The very first time I went in they told it was my tired pressure - adjusted them and sent me on my way. Sure enough, I knew pressure was not the problem and ACTUALLY read my car's manual unlike the service people there do. I am going to do that and get back to you all. Hopefully we can get this sorted, because it wasn't even the TPMS ECU - because it's still happening. What else COULD it be? Seems like they were just replacing parts in hopes the problem would be gone. I'll reply to the thread once I get in contact with Toyota and get my error codes received. but, wait - they'll probably say that there isn't any!:eek: Do you know how long the error codes are stored in the TPMS ECU? Because, these two occurrences of the light happened 1 and 2 months ago. Think they will still be logged?
    I'll probably just drive to the dealer and see what they can do for me. Who knows how that is going to turn out though..:rolleyes:


    Thanks for the advice and support to you both! Thanks again guys! :cool: