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TPMS Light is ON after sensor replacement (Not Blinking)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by iskoos, Mar 18, 2022.

  1. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    I had the TPMS light blinking for the past few weeks. I knew one of my TMPS sensor battery died (The vehicle is over 10 years old. Normal). The tire shop checked the sensors and replaced the one that was not working. They did the relearn (they claimed so). But the light is now Solid On. (Not blinking anymore)
    I was told to drive around, and it would turn off. It didn't sound okay to me as I had another one replaced 2 years ago the same way and the light went off immediately after replacing the sensor.
    Even then I drove the car for about 1 hour (about 25 miles). The light never went off.
    It does not blink which tells me that the new sensor is sending signal now. TPMS light comes On briefly when I power the car (as with all the other lights). It goes off and within a second comes back on.
    You would think it is because one of the tire pressure is low. I checked and all are okay.

    Any idea what might have caused the light to be still on?

    Thanks

    P.S. I will try to use the TPMS Reset button as a last resort as I know it might introduce other issues (e.g. Loop mode) under certain circumstances.
     
  2. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Loop mode is rare. Check/Adjust the pressures in the morning then do the reset right after....

    REVVL V+ 5G ?
     
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Depending on the sensor, it may just not be programmed correctly or a tire is low on air?

    When 1 sensor fails, the others are not far behind. I normally replace all of them when one fails. Amazon has these nice aftermarket ones that are really cheap now. $41 for all 4.

    ROADFAR 315MHz Programmed Tire Pressure Monitoring System Sensor TPMS Sensor Fits For Lexus For Scion For Toyota 4pcs 4260706011 4260733011
     
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  4. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    It might be a defective sensor that was put on, or it may not be compatible with your car.

    These sensors can be read easily at any tire location. They can read each sensor and how much air each tire has. You can easily identify the faulty sensor if there is one in the mix.
     
  6. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Well, it seems I will have to try the reset option. I will check/adjust all tire pressure again and do the reset job. I hope it takes care of the problem.
    I will report back.
     
  7. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Yes, I think you might be right. I started thinking the sensor that was put on might not be compatible or might not have been programmed correctly. It was not defective because we checked it before putting it on.
    This was the second of the sensor 42607-33021 I bought off ebay (same seller) in 2020. The first one replaced the same year and worked properly. This second one didn't for some reason.

    I have a crappy old laptop that has TechStream. I tried to diagnose my car today. After battling with the slow booting computer and many windows error messages, I was able to pull up the TPMS Live view. It wasn't much of a live view. The page showed only one line:

    "C2175 Vehicle Speed or RSSI Signal Error"

    There was no other information whatsoever. Though, I don't know how reliable the reading is because I was never able to properly complete the TechStream software install on that laptop.
    I didn't do the "TPMS Reset" for now. I read it at more than one place that if TPMS reset is performed after a sensor replacement (but before the sensor ID is properly programmed), the system may go into "Loop Mode" which is another headache.

    I will go to the Tire shop again and ask them to read each sensor once again with their scan tool and repeat the relearn.
    I know this TPMS warning is not a big deal, but I hate that yellow symbol.
     
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  8. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Update: I went to the tire shop. The guy checked all the TPMS sensors one by one and as some of you guessed another TPMS wasn't transmitting. It was working 2 days ago when we first checked but today it wasn't. And it took a very long time for another one to respond. So, it looks like the best route from this point on is to replace all 4 of them. I will take JC's advice and order a set.

    Though one thing was still unanswered at the time I was at the shop. Why the TPMS light was not blinking after a sensor replacement? I asked but the guy didn't have an answer. Then later in the same day, the light started blinking :))))
    If I had a TPMS scanner or a properly functioning TechStream, I could come up with a logical explanation. Wish I had.

    Being too curious is not very good :)
     
  9. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    I have an Autel ITS600 which can check sensor battery condition. I recently had a situation with a different brand vehicle where I got a TPMS warning on the dash. The "bad" sensor was readable for sensor ID and battery was read as good, but 0 PSI/no longer sending pressure data...

    REVVL V+ 5G ?
     
  10. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    That's a very nice tool. Though way overkill for my needs. A device like Autel TS408 should do everything I need at a reasonable price. The real question is that how many times will I use it?
     
  11. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    It didn't help me figure out what was wrong until I monitored pressure as I drove. (You're absolutely right don't need a fancy one was what I was trying to get at).

    REVVL V+ 5G ?
     
  12. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    UPDATE for those who are following on this adventure.

    SHORT STORY (For those that don't like details): I ended up getting a TPMS tool (Autel 508) and rewrote all 4 sensors onto TPMS module and the problem solved. All 4 sensors were functional. TPMS module wasn't reading one of the sensors because of the sensor ID mismatch.

    LONG STORY (Like details? Read Here :)): I was about to order a set of 4 TPMS sensors and get the shop to replace all 4 sensors. The cost would have been around $50 for sensors and $130 for labor (cheapest I was able to find). I decided to invest that money into a diagnostic tool instead. It would definitely pay off in the future. No cars are sold without this system anymore.
    After receiving the tool, I scanned all 4 sensors the same night. To my surprise, all 4 sensors were in working order (even the one that didn't read at the tire shop for some reason). This made me believe that the reason for the TPMS light was not a defective sensor. It was most likely the relearn process that was not done properly. I studied the tool over the weekend and performed a TPMS diagnose. Just as I guessed: One sensor ID was not matching the ID on vehicle's TPMS module. All sensors were properly reporting the tire pressure and all battery levels were okay. The TPMS module wasn't reading one of the sensor's data due to ID mismatch. And guess what? The mismatch wasn't caused by the sensor the tire shop just replaced a few weeks ago. It was the sensor another tire shop replaced in 2020! o_O
    This was really odd. You going to a tire shop to replace a defective TPMS sensor. The shop replaces that sensor and writes its ID onto vehicle module properly but at the same time another sensor losing its bind with the TPMS module. How could this happen? I have a few theories which I might get into later. For now, let's move on without it.
    So, I did perform the "OBD Position Relearn" with the Autel tool. This is the process where you read all sensor IDs in a specific order and write them to vehicle's TPMS module. The tool needs to be hooked up to the vehicle OBDII port for this. I was a little nervous to be honest with you. I have read OBDII modules hundreds of times before. There is no risk to read the vehicle modules. But when it comes to writing onto them, if something goes wrong, you may have a mess in your hands. While the tool was unlocking the module and writing on it, the lights on the dash started blinking randomly. The process took about 30 seconds, and it was (thank God) successful. The yellow light went off immediately. I then cleared the DTC and test-drove the car. It was super nice to see the right side of the MFD entirely dark. No more of that annoying TPMS light. :)

    It has been a few days and I still enjoy seeing that yellow light going off immediately after pressing the power button.
    The problem solved now and the tool I got pretty much paid itself off. But I have one question in my head. What would have happened if I had used the TPMS Reset button to reset the system? Would it turn off the TPMS light without doing any of these? Maybe, I can say 50/50 chance. Per my understanding, that TPMS reset button isn't only to reset the tire pressure values stored in the TPMS module. I think when the button is long-pressed, the vehicle performs what's known as "Stationary Relearn" The TPMS module looks for the closest TPMS module signals and writes them on its memory. So, Maybe, maybe not.

    Currently, of the 4 TPMS sensors on my car, 2 of them still original (over 12 years old). One replaced in 2020 and another one replaced a few weeks ago. Both are purchased off ebay 42607-33021. When the next one fails, I will get another one of these sensors, pay a local tire store to put it on and I will program it myself. I learned something new :)

    Prius-TPMS.jpg
     
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  13. PriusII&C

    PriusII&C Active Member

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    @iskoos I posted my question in another thread, but it looks like you may be able to help.

    About 5 months ago the TPMS light started flashing for about 1 minute and then staying on whenever I turned on my 2012 Prius. Recently Costco tire center told me 2 of the sensors were bad. So last Sunday I replaced the batteries of those 2 sensors.

    After driving it for about 40 miles Monday, the TPMS light stopped blinking. Instead, it stays solid on once the car is started. The tire pressures are between 33 and 38 PSI among 4 tires. I tried to reset the TPMS a few times (not sure if I did it right). The light blinked 3 times during the reset, but then stayed on instead of off.

    For the reset process, I wonder:
    1. User manual (p.439) states: Turn the “POWER” switch to ON mode. Does this mean to start the car? Or does it mean to press the power button twice without stepping on the brake paddle?
    2. Is the TPMS sensor in sleep mode if the car has been parked for a while? If so, how does the ECU communicate with the sensor during reset? Or is the car needed to be driven right before the reset procedure?

    Since the light stays on (not blinking for 1 minute) when the car is turned on, I assume all 4 sensors talk to the ECU (TPMS module). So this points to a low tire pressure. But the tire pressures are fine. What could be the problem?

    Thanks.
     
  14. PriusII&C

    PriusII&C Active Member

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    Read the original post again. If I understand it correctly, a solid TPMS light (with NO 1 minute blinking) doesn't necessarily mean a low tire pressure problem. It can be the result of miscommunication between the ECU and the sensors.

    In other words, when the system malfunctions, the TPMS light may not blink. It can be soild. This is INCONSISTENT with the Owner's Manual.

    Hope I understand it correctly.
     
  15. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Hi PriusII&C, wish I could definitively answer your question. Honestly, I don't think I know for sure. Up until the past weeks, I was thinking that a blinking light (for 1 minute) means communication error (could be a low battery or something else) and straight solid TPMS light means low (or excessively high) tire pressure on one or more tires. But it seems it is not exactly like that.
    As you read from my long post above, the blinking TPMS stopped after my TPMS sensor replacement. The light was solid on (like the pressure is outside the limits). But in a few days my TPMS light started blinking again (before going solid after 1 minute).
    It stayed like that for about a week and then switched back to all solid again. And this happened without me doing any reset or even using the TPMS tool. It is crazy. I cannot explain it. And I hate it.

    It is easy to determine which sensors have issues using the tool. You don't even need to connect anything to vehicle OBDII port. A tire shop can easily replace the sensors, but I am not sure if all can do the relearn properly.
    I am thinking this is what happened to you as well. They probably didn't do the relearn process properly and now your vehicle's TPMS module doesn't communicate with one (or more) of the TPMS sensor. A tire shop with a diagnostic tool can easily see this. A TechStream software can do as well.

    You are telling me you already tried the TPMS Reset button. I didn't try that myself but from what I understand from you, it seems it wasn't gonna fix my problem.

    I think if someone properly repeats the relearn process on your car, your TPMS light would go off.

    What did Costco tell you when they saw the TPMS light was still on?
    Did they tell you that drive the car for a while and it would turn off?

    That's what I was told a few weeks ago after my 2nd sensor replacement. I think that's the BS excuse some tire shops use when they couldn't get the job done properly.
    From my experience on this issue so far is that the TPMS light turns off immediately after the issue has been resolved.
    When I get the first TPMS sensor replaced, the light was already off when I got into my car. And as I said, the light turned off immediately after I did repeat the relearn process myself last week with the Autel tool.

    I would ask Costco to redo the relearn on your car (if they know how to do it the right way). If not, you might as well find someone who knows what he is doing.

    As for your question, the TPMS sensors are all off when the car is off. When you power on your car TPMS module sends a radio signal to wake the sensors and from that point on they transmit once or more every minute. So, they do not continuously transmit. That's why they can last for years on a single battery.
    When you use the TPMS reset button, I assume the TPMS module wake up the sensors by sending a RF signal.
    As for the power state of the car, I think you should press the power button twice (with no brake). However, the other way should work as well.

    My suggestion: Get a TPMS diagnose with a tool. It will tell you the current state, sensor ID mismatch etc. And then do the relearn again.
     
  16. PriusII&C

    PriusII&C Active Member

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    @iskoos Thank you for your reply. My car's TPMS warning light went off by itself when I was driving yesterday. I did 3 things, so not sure which one made this happen: 1) disconnected the 12V battery; 2) replaced the batteries of the 2 remaining sensors; 3) drove more ( 3 days and 70 miles). Hopefully the warning light will not come back soon.
     
  17. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Good for you. You must be happy :)

    When you say you replaced the batteries on the remaining two sensors, did you mean you replaced the sensors all together or you really opened them apart to replace the coin batteries in them and reinstalled the same sensors?
    Second option is cumbersome but doable. I cracked open one of my original sensors and removed the battery. I charged it a bit and the sensors started working. I was gonna order a new battery and replace the old one but I took care of the TPMS problem and left the sensor alone (for now :))

    Just curious if you really replaced the batteries.
     
  18. PriusII&C

    PriusII&C Active Member

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    Yes, I opened the sensor covers and replaced the coin batteries. All 4 sensors are the original ones coming with the car.

    You mentioned you charged the battery. Can you charge it fully? If so, it could be a way to repair sensors with depleted batteries.
     
    #18 PriusII&C, Mar 31, 2022
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2022
  19. iskoos

    iskoos Active Member

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    Awesome, with battery replacement, NO relearn necessary at all. You are basically using the same sensors that have been already programmed to your car's TPMS module.

    I am sorry I misread your original post for some reason. I thought you had the two sensors replaced at Costco. Instead, you replaced the batteries on the two sensors based on what Costco told you. I just reread your post. My apologies, I always thoroughly read the posts before answering but missed this one for some reason. Thus, the reason why I was suggesting you needed a TPMS relearn.

    In this case, after replacing two batteries, you still had one or more sensors with low or depleted battery and that was probably causing your TPMS light to come on. Those batteries last really long time, and they may not die all of a sudden. For example, if you remove a sensor that was not transmitting, you may realize that sensor will start working after several weeks. Because battery starts picking up a bit due to not being used. Happened to me.

    Did you remove the TPMS sensors by yourself? Was it a big trouble to break the beads and push the tire-walls down enough to reach the sensors?

    After watching several videos on the process (using scissor jack), I decided a tire shop do the replacements instead. I have 4-season tires. They are harder than summer tires. With the limited tools I have in my garage, it was gonna be a pain for me to tackle the job.
     
  20. PriusII&C

    PriusII&C Active Member

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    @iskoos One of the reasons for me to replace the batteries is because I don't have the TPMS program/relearn tool. I broke the bead using a scissor jack following the Youtube videos. This was the first time I broke a tire bead. Not hard. Removing the sensor was easier. It took more time for me to get ready (removing wheels and lifting the car on floor jack and jack stands) than to break the bead and remove the sensor.

    I added this question to my previous post: "You mentioned you charged the battery. Can you charge it fully? If so, it could be a way to repair sensors with depleted batteries."
     
    #20 PriusII&C, Mar 31, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 1, 2022