Intermittent TPM Failure

mgattmch · 01-22-2019, 08:07 PM

Getting an intermittent tyre pressure monitor (TPM) failure warning. The problem usually corrects itself after a while driving. Is the likely cause a transducer failure in one of the wheels, is this a simple fix?

DannyD87 · 01-23-2019, 07:32 AM

Simple for a tire shop to diagnose. They have scan tools to let you know if any of the sensors are dead or low battery.

johnhva · 01-23-2019, 11:18 AM

Last winter I'd get the low pressure warning occasionally even though tires are full. None this year so far. According to my SA sudden very cold temps can cause false TPM warnings, even on new cars.

mgattmch · 03-20-2019, 11:12 AM

Much to my surprise Tire Rack could not diagnose the problem. Took the car to the dealership, neither could they the first time. Took the car back a second time and was told 4 new TPM sensor required. $950 latter, everything is fine. I then find out the repair could have been done for less than $300 at Tire Rack using after market TPM sensors. Lesson learnt!

JDMSteven · 03-20-2019, 11:31 AM

some things make sense to take to the dealer... some things not so much

snj1013 · 03-20-2019, 02:04 PM

I have a similar problem where I believe one of the sensors is going out. The system just gives a generic TPM Malfunction alarm, rather than pin pointing which sensor isn't communicating. I just spoke with my local Discount Tires dealer, and was told they can scan the sensors and if any need replacement, the cost is $65 installed per sensor.

snj1013 · 03-21-2019, 10:58 AM

Well, I went to Discount Tires yesterday and had the tech scan the sensors. He told me that the front 2 weren't communicating and the rear 2 were fine. I was pretty certain the problem was with the left rear sensor so I had them change that sensor. After the swap, I haven't had any problems and before, the sensor in question would show "green" on the TPM display, but would be slow to display pressures and temps (I have my car coded to display tire pressure and temperatures). Now all 4 sensors show pressures/temps just as soon as I drive a couple of hundred yards. I asked the tech how the scanner communicates with the sensors when the car isn't moving. As I understand, the sensors only send out updates every 30 seconds after reaching a speed of 20 mph or so.

01-22-2019, 08:07 PM	#1
mgattmch Private First Class 29 Rep 122 Posts Drives: 2015 650iX GC Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Chesterton, IN iTrader: (0)	Intermittent TPM Failure Getting an intermittent tyre pressure monitor (TPM) failure warning. The problem usually corrects itself after a while driving. Is the likely cause a transducer failure in one of the wheels, is this a simple fix?
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01-23-2019, 07:32 AM	#2
DannyD87 New Member 5 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 550i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Vermont iTrader: (0)	Simple for a tire shop to diagnose. They have scan tools to let you know if any of the sensors are dead or low battery.
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01-23-2019, 11:18 AM	#3
johnhva Private First Class 57 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 2014 535ix Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0) Garage List 14 BMW 535ix [0.00] 04 BMW 325cic 5MT [0.00] 16 BMW R1200RT [0.00]	Last winter I'd get the low pressure warning occasionally even though tires are full. None this year so far. According to my SA sudden very cold temps can cause false TPM warnings, even on new cars. __________________ 2014 535i XDrive Alpine/Mocha Nappa Contour
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03-20-2019, 11:12 AM	#4
mgattmch Private First Class 29 Rep 122 Posts Drives: 2015 650iX GC Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Chesterton, IN iTrader: (0)	Much to my surprise Tire Rack could not diagnose the problem. Took the car to the dealership, neither could they the first time. Took the car back a second time and was told 4 new TPM sensor required. $950 latter, everything is fine. I then find out the repair could have been done for less than $300 at Tire Rack using after market TPM sensors. Lesson learnt!
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03-20-2019, 11:31 AM	#5
JDMSteven Captain 475 Rep 742 Posts Drives: '13 F13 M6, '94 JDM Supra Join Date: May 2018 Location: Ocala, Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW M6 [10.00]	some things make sense to take to the dealer... some things not so much
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03-20-2019, 02:04 PM	#6
snj1013 Captain 87 Rep 937 Posts Drives: 2011 528i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1)	I have a similar problem where I believe one of the sensors is going out. The system just gives a generic TPM Malfunction alarm, rather than pin pointing which sensor isn't communicating. I just spoke with my local Discount Tires dealer, and was told they can scan the sensors and if any need replacement, the cost is $65 installed per sensor.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-21-2019, 10:58 AM	#7
snj1013 Captain 87 Rep 937 Posts Drives: 2011 528i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1)	Well, I went to Discount Tires yesterday and had the tech scan the sensors. He told me that the front 2 weren't communicating and the rear 2 were fine. I was pretty certain the problem was with the left rear sensor so I had them change that sensor. After the swap, I haven't had any problems and before, the sensor in question would show "green" on the TPM display, but would be slow to display pressures and temps (I have my car coded to display tire pressure and temperatures). Now all 4 sensors show pressures/temps just as soon as I drive a couple of hundred yards. I asked the tech how the scanner communicates with the sensors when the car isn't moving. As I understand, the sensors only send out updates every 30 seconds after reaching a speed of 20 mph or so.
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