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Tire Pressure Sensor

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by mattprius1111, Oct 17, 2017.

  1. mattprius1111

    mattprius1111 New Member

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    Hi guys,

    One or more of my tire pressure sensors have gone bad. The light in the dash is flashing. To get it fixed the auto body shop wants $150 per sensor. I want to just turn the sensor light off. I know there is a reset button under the steering column but Ive tried it multiple times with no luck. Any idea of how to get this warning light to go away?

    I can maintain the pressure without a sensor.

    Thanks.
     
  2. 5 Speed

    5 Speed Member

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    Unfortunately no. Best fix small piece of BLACK TAPE
     
  3. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    Costco will fix mine for $40. Dealer wants $274.
     
  4. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    The reset button only resets the pressures it warns at. If the sensor is dead it will stay on. It's probably the battery in the sensor, but it's cast in place, so new sensor time! Once replaced the car must be reprogrammed for it.

    So, they break the bead on one side of tire, replace sensor and "O" ring seal for it.
    They re-inflate tire, and you set all tires to your choice of pressure.
    They program the car for the new sensor.
    Press reset button under the dash.
    Give workplace $150.
     
    chrisvonsimson likes this.
  5. 5 Speed

    5 Speed Member

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    Costco will replace your sensor and reprogram your vehicle for 40 bucks? Are you sure they will reprogram the vehicle too for this price?
     
  6. bingee3

    bingee3 Active Member

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    Small piece black electrical tape
    Over earning light
     
  7. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    Tape is the free option.
    If one sensor has failed because of a low sensor battery, the other three may not be far behind failure.

    I do not know if the system can be turned off with a Toyota dealer computer...call a dealer and ask.
    I do not know if you could set the computer for zero pressure on all tires and the light would go off as pressure would never go below that zero setting.
    I do not know if aftermarket sensors are available, yet if so I have seen $40 sensor costs for other brands vs OEM $150.
    (Still requires a tire shop to install.)
    These sensors are difficult to DIY a battery replacement, yet not impossible, but may have a learning curve to disassemble and you may damage the sensor beyond repair.

    Based on the OP post...tape over the light.

    Good luck with your decision.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I wouldn't put tape on, just leave it be. There's other lights on the dash, like the passenger seat status for example. Why gum up the dash.
     
    Tyfly likes this.
  9. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Tape or ignore won't work in many states in the US. No lights on is required for inspection (the way it should be, nobody can cheap out and drive a car that -may not- be safe or meet required standards).
    Whether you agree with the laws or not they are there for a reason!
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  10. Aspire880

    Aspire880 Junior Member

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    I have two third generation Prius and recently switched their wheels.Tire pressure light on.How to reset it?
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You mean you swapped the wheels (with sensors) between the two cars? If you have to leave them thus, then you need to intervene electronically, with Toyota's Techstream, or some third party devices, that are able to make the car recognize the "new to them" sensors.

    In a nutshell: the sensors are unique, the car recognizes the original sensors only. New sensors can be introduce to the car, but it's not an automatic process, and not doable by owner, without aforementioned software/devices.

    A dealership could do it, for maybe $100, or free if they're nice.

    Or, dismount the the tires, swap the sensors back.

    The simplest, if the swap of tires was just on a whim, would be to just swap them back.
     
  12. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

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    Each TPMS valve stem is uniquely identified to the TPMS module in your Prius and has an ID associated with it. You can update the TPMS module with new IDs (if you have them) using a Techstream program on your PC. Here's a link on how it's done:
     
    #12 phoenixgreg, May 10, 2018
    Last edited: May 10, 2018
  13. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    Update...Costco...$40 plus $15 for dismount and remount.
     
  14. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Each car needs to know the ID codes of the 4 TPMS installed on it, or else the TPMS light will eventually come on.
    You can read and set the codes with Toyota Techstream or other device. If you are not so inclined, you can just live with the warning light on, or take it to a tire place or other place to reset the codes. The problem gets into if they want to charge you a lot for the service.
     
  15. Sporin

    Sporin Prius Noob

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    Had the same thing happen, Toyota Dealership wanted $150 EACH to fix. Um... no. Town Fair Tire (national change) charges $160 for all 4, brand knew sensors. Had it done at a snow tire changeover since they'd have tires off the rims anyway. Works perfectly. Don't pay the dealership price for this.
     
    chrisvonsimson likes this.
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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