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

TPMS light flashes then glows solid

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Glen England, Aug 29, 2020.

  1. Glen England

    Glen England Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2019
    24
    8
    0
    Location:
    St Louis, MO
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I've had this issue where my TPMS light flashes for about 1 minute whenever I start my 2015 Prius and then glows solid.

    My tire pressures are correct and I've tried the reset procedure.

    I used Car Scanner ELM OBD2 to perform a scan and got a few codes all of which surprised me and none seem to have anything to do with TPMS.

    I was hoping to find what the fault might be. From what I have read the sensor batteries should last at least 10 years which makes it seem like battery failure is too soon.

    The following codes are what the app I used were able to pull:
    ============1==============

    B2323
    Raw code: A323
    ECU: BCM #1/Convenience systems
    Status: Confirmed
    ============2==============
    U0100
    Raw code: C100
    ECU: Entry & start / Smart key
    Status: Confirmed
    OBDII: Data bus, engine control module (ECM) A - no communication
    ============3==============
    U0142
    Raw code: C142
    ECU: Entry & start / Smart key
    Status: Confirmed
    OBDII: Data bus, body control module (BCM) B - no communication
    ============4==============
    U0155
    Raw code: C155
    ECU: Entry & start / Smart key
    Status: Confirmed
    OBDII: Data bus, instrumentation control module - no communication
    ============5==============
    U0293
    Raw code: C293
    ECU: Entry & start / Smart key
    Status: Confirmed
    OBDII: Lost communication with hybrid powertrain control module

    The only smart key related issue I have seen recently is a message indicating the fob battery is low. I do need to replace that but I do not think the TPMS would be related to that.

    TIA for any help with this issue.
     
  2. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    10,958
    8,836
    0
    Location:
    New England
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    That means the TPMS is not working. As you suspected the most likely reason is a dead battery in one or more of the sensor, but it could also be an error on ECU or other functioning units of the entire TPMS system. While battery supposed to last ~7 years or maybe longer depending on who you ask, but it really depends on conditions used, so 5 years premature battery demise is not so unusual. I would just stop by a tire shop and ask to scan the TPMS sensor. If it is not sending any signal, that means the sensor needs to be replaced.

    Sorry, but I have no idea what other codes you pulled mean.
     
    Johnny Cakes and fuzzy1 like this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    try disconnecting the 12v neg for a minute. if that doesn't help, bump up the tires pressure
     
  4. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    994
    755
    2
    Location:
    Virginia, USA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    From the manual:
     
    fuzzy1 likes this.
  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Hook up techstream, if you ain’t gettin no psi reading from a wheel, ya know it’s battery gon dead. Or be able to get more info besides kit codes.
     
  6. Glen England

    Glen England Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2019
    24
    8
    0
    Location:
    St Louis, MO
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    This is an awesome idea, but I do not have techstream or the necessary OBD dongle required to use it.

    I'm not sure if the USB OBD adapter I have is compatible with a Prius. It is an OBDLink SX.
     
  7. Glen England

    Glen England Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2019
    24
    8
    0
    Location:
    St Louis, MO
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Yes, I did read the manual but knowing the issue would really help. This only lists a number of issues that could possibly be wrong.
     
  8. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    1,607
    877
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    There is a TPMS reset button in the driver side knee panel under the steering column. Try resetting the System with that
     
  9. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,035
    10,010
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    He already did that. Second sentence.
     
  10. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    2,516
    1,789
    0
    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    If it does prove to be one dead sensor, I would go ahead and replace them all since the others may be on their last legs as well.
     
  11. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Are you advising to over inflate the tires and drive under that circumstance?!
     
  12. Glen England

    Glen England Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2019
    24
    8
    0
    Location:
    St Louis, MO
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I’ve got a new dongle on the way and I’ll get Techstream and see what I can find out.


    iPhone ?
     
    bisco likes this.
  13. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2016
    994
    755
    2
    Location:
    Virginia, USA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Certainly true -- but its definitely a time vs. money calculation. Since all were installed at the same time, it is certainly possible that this is the first one to go and the others will follow in short order. Getting them all replaced prevents multiple trips to the repair place. OTOH, the TPMS are absurdly expensive to get replaced. And since the OP has a 2015, its kinda on the early side for failure. Also, its not like the car is un-drivable if only one gets fixed another fails.
     
    RRxing likes this.