1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Tire pressure sensors. Any replacement that does not require reprogramming?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by rjp123, Aug 3, 2019.

  1. rjp123

    rjp123 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2011
    112
    63
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    One of my tire pressure sensors is leaking air. Not sure if that means the sensor needs to be replaced or if it has a gasket that can be replaced.

    If I do need to replace the sensor, is there any way to do it that does not require reprogramming the car to recognize the new sensor?
     
  2. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2018
    607
    278
    0
    Location:
    W. Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    May just need a new valve insert rather than a whole new sensor.
     
    Rebound, Mendel Leisk and Pluggo like this.
  3. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    3,295
    1,005
    0
    Location:
    Arcadia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    They’re called rebuild kits and they are a few dollars each.

    Some Autel MaxiTPMS units come packaged with sensors that can clone the ones on your car so no reprogramming is necessary.
     
    Robert Holt likes this.
  4. rjp123

    rjp123 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2011
    112
    63
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Thanks for the tip about the rebuild kit!
    This kit seems to be fit the 2010 Prius. That rubber washer is probably all I need to stop the leak.



    Can't seem to post the link to the item, but it is the following product number on amazon.

    B00NXS0L7I
     
    #4 rjp123, Aug 4, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2019
    Pluggo likes this.
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,463
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Just try replacing the valve stem first? That way the tire doesn't need to be dismounted. Costco charges something like $4 (per tire) for their rebuild kit. Maybe just go to a tire place, see what they say.

    Try putting soapy water on the end of the valve stem, see if it bubbles.

    Also, maybe the current valve stem just needs to a little tighter or looser??

    Again, a tire place might be your best bet, they have the experience, and it might be a freebie, they're hoping you'll appreciate it and come back when you need new tires.
     
  6. rjp123

    rjp123 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2011
    112
    63
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    It was a service station that told me the sensor was leaking and wanted 150 to replace it. I declined and just pumped it up. It holds 3 days. I will try the soap test later. I assume you mean valve core as I think the tire has to come off to replace the valve stem, right?
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  7. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,347
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    How did this service station "person" determine where it was leaking is my question.
     
  8. wheezyglider

    wheezyglider Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2011
    247
    177
    0
    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    FYI - about a year ago a local Costco quoted me something like $75 or less to replace one TPMS sensor. That included the sensor, but they don't allow you to bring your own part. Not sure if the pricing is just that location.
     
  9. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    5,834
    3,136
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You can also try to snug up the nut on the valve stem. But if you use the soapy water, or spit, you could see it bubble.
    You could go to a bicycle shop or car place and they will give you a valve out of an old tube or stem they cut off.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,463
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I think you can:

    1 try tighten/loosen existing valve stem. There's a special screw driver for this, and all you do is take off valve cap.

    2 if it continues to leak (test with soapy water), completely remove it by screwing it right out (air will rush out) and install a new one.

    Maybe google for more info too, like what's the sweet spot when screwing them in.
     
  11. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    10,958
    8,836
    0
    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    If it is leaking from the valve, like others suggested, replacing the valve core and washer included in the rebuilt kit (cost about $5) may fix the problem. However, sometimes, the valve stem get corroded due to road salt, and the shop is unable to replace the washer and core without replacing entire TPMS sensor unit. It happened to my other car. If this is the case, as might as well have the tire shop replace the TPMS and reset it. You do not have to take the car back to a dealer. Any tire shop will be able to replace your TPMS and reprogram it. OEM TPMS is more expensive and they non-dealer tire shop may only have aftermarket TPMS, but they work fine. Of course, if the shop will allow it and you don't mind TPMS light on your dash, you can have them install regular valve without TPMS sensor. That would be the cheapest fix.
     
    chrisvonsimson likes this.
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,463
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Yeah spit works well, always available lol.
     
  13. rjp123

    rjp123 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2011
    112
    63
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    UPDATE:

    I tried soaking the valve stem with dish soap and a little water and I didn't see a single bubble.

    None the less, I tried tightening the exterior nut around the valve stem a bit further. Will check in a few hours to see if pressure goes down.

    Background: I noticed the tire indicator light on while driving, puled over and looked at the tire and saw it was completely flat, nearly to the point of riding on the rim. Fortunately there was a service station right across the street. I pulled in and a kind gentleman inflated the tire and looked for a leak by hand and found none. Next he took the wheel off and submerged it in water. Still no bubbles. Then he pumped it up to 80 psi and put in the water tub. There were the tiniest little bubbles coming from the side of the valve stem. I could not believe this was sufficient enough of a leak to deflate the tire in a couple days. It was seriously only about one bubble every 5 seconds. He set pressure to 40 psi and put the wheel back on. That was three days ago.

    Today the light came on again and pressure was 22 psi. I have driven 200 miles in the past 3 days.

    Could this really be the leak? Since the bubbles were so few and now I can't see any with soap and water I am wondering if it is not the valve stem at all. Maybe some weird leak that only happens while driving? Or only when in a certain position?
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,463
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Take the wheel off, straddle it and walk it along, eyeballing it for nails. Pry out anything suspicious you see with a small flat blade screw driver (good time to wear safety glasses). If nothing turns up, spritz the whole tire with sudsy water. Could be something tiny, a crack, a leak along the rim.

    Hmm, never mind: sounds like you've had a very thorough inspection done.
     
  15. rjp123

    rjp123 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2011
    112
    63
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Well I just measured pressure and it is still leaking. I just changed out the valve core just in case since I had some lying around, but I doubt it was the problem. I will take it to a good shop this week and see if they can find the leak (or confirm that it is the valve).
     
  16. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    5,834
    3,136
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It could be leaking from where the rim and tire meet.
    It may not leak when there is no weight on it.
    But there is a seat around the TPM that may be leaking also.
    You could try letting the air out of the tire, loosening the nut for the tpm, and
    squirting some silicone between the rim and valve then retightening the nut.
    Let it dry and then fill the tire again. And see if it leaks...
     
    Robert Holt and Mendel Leisk like this.
  17. rjp123

    rjp123 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2011
    112
    63
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Interesting idea... I may give this a try.
     
  18. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    5,834
    3,136
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It's NOT permanent, but at least you'll know if it's the problem or not...
     
  19. rjp123

    rjp123 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2011
    112
    63
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    I tried it. Still leaking from somewhere.
     
  20. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    5,834
    3,136
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Then you'll have to submerge it in water and go slowly and look for leaks.
    It is leaking from somewhere. Since it's slow. You'll have to go very slowly.
    I don't remember how long it was, tat least an hour for me to find a slow leak around the rim.
    I have to remove the tire, wire brush the rim, clean the tire, and reinstall it.
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.