Each tire in your car comes with a sensor. If you notice that one sensor is not working as it should, you need to know how to tell which tire sensor is bad.
Your tire sensor, also known as a tire pressure monitoring system, is a small pressure sensor placed in each tire to alert the driver of under or over-inflated tires. In 2007, the NHTSA mandated that all tires have these to reduce mortality rates. However, like every technology, they can fail as well.
If one of your tire sensors fails, the quickest way to root out the bad one is to use a pressure gauge to determine the pressure of each tire. You can also use a TPMS scan tool to diagnose the issue or use the trial-and-error method of releasing air from each tire.
In this guide, we can help you find out the symptoms of bad tire sensors and how to tell which tire sensor is bad. We will also find out what are the causes that result in false readings from the sensors or make it faulty.
As a person who has been driving a car for decades, I have become accustomed to the many vagaries of automobiles and have experienced bad tire sensors myself several times. As such, I can tell you in detail how I handled the situation.
Finding faulty tire sensors is a simple process. There are various ways you can figure out which tire sensor is bad.
The most obvious way to find out if there is something wrong with tire sensors is to check the dashboard display panel in your car. It displays the TPMS indicator which is designed like a stylized U with an exclamation mark in the middle.
If you see that the TPMS light is blinking, it is a sign that there is some issue with your tire sensors. The engine control module which collects all the sensor data on your car will trigger a warning on your display panel which will let you know something is wrong with the car sensors.
Another very easy way to determine whether a TPMS sensor is faulty is to use a pressure gauge to check the air pressure in the tires.
Note down the readings on the gauge and then compare them to the TPMS readings on the car dashboard.
If you see a difference in one of the readings, it means that the tire pressure sensor is faulty.
Using a TPMS diagnostic tool is also another very easy way to find out which tire pressure sensor is not working. This tool is very useful in identifying problems with your TPMS sensor, including a drained battery, wiring issues, or problems with the voltage.
If the air is leaking out of the tire or coming into the tire, the tire sensor will send a signal to the TPMS which will result in a horn chirp. This is a sign of a well-functioning sensor. However, if there is no chirp when the air comes out or goes into the tire, it means that there is an issue with the sensor.
Although it is also a good way to find whether your TPMS is working fine or not, it can be a bit tiresome since it requires you to fill each tire with the recommended air pressure and then release the air — and then refill them again so that you can drive your car.
Fill the tires with air and then slowly release it, one tire at a time. Then check the car’s display panel to see if the warning light is blinking each time. If you do not see an alert when releasing the air from the tire, it means the tire pressure sensor in that tire is defective and needs to be replaced.
Once you have identified which tire it is, mark that tire and make sure to fill it up with the right amount of air before you have had a chance to get the sensor fixed. Also, fill the rest of your tires with the right air pressure before you take out your car.
If a TPMS develops a fault, you will be able to detect several noticeable changes in your vehicles. Some of the ways you can recognize a defective tire sensor are:
The main function of the tire sensor is to warn you if your tire is low on air. So if you notice that your tire does not have enough pressure or that they have gone flat and you did not see a warning light on the dashboard, it means that the TPMS failed to send a signal to your car’s ECU.
If one or both of your front tires are low on air pressure, their sides will become soft and flat which will make it difficult for you to keep your steering wheel straight and steady.
If you are experiencing a jerky steering wheel, it might be due to underinflated tire. And if the TPMS indicator fails to light up, it means there is something wrong with your tire sensor.
When your tire is leaking air, the friction between the ground and the tires increases, which means the car engine has to exert more effort to keep you moving. This makes it burn up more fuel and you will see your fuel consumption increase significantly.
If you cannot detect any obvious reasons why your car is burning fuel excessively, it is worth your while to check the tire air pressure and see if the tire sensor has developed a fault.
Your car’s anti-lock braking system ensures good road traction by preventing your wheels from locking up and skidding on wet or slippery surfaces.
However, if any of your tires have low air pressure, your car’s ECU will sense abnormal speed and it will send an inaccurate signal to your ABS which will light up the warning signals in the dash.
Hence, if your ABS lights up for no apparent reason, it is a good idea to check your air pressure and TPMS.
If your TPMS is not working as it should, you might get strange warnings on your DIC. It could indicate that you have an underinflated tire even if your tire has the perfect air pressure. If you get these warnings, it is important to get them checked out and see if your tire sensor is working accurately or not. It may be because your TPMS requires a reset or if its batteries have failed.
The main cause of a faulty tire pressure monitoring system is a defective tire sensor. So what are the things that can make your tire sensor go bad?
Your tire sensors are equipped with batteries that have a lifespan of anywhere from five to 10 years.
The life of the tire sensor’s battery can vary depending on how frequently you drive your car. If you drive your vehicle very frequently, your sensors will be used more and will drain the batteries faster.
In addition, the temperature and traffic conditions also have an impact on the life of a tire sensor’s batteries. If you live in a state that has hot summers, it can put a lot of strain on the sensor battery as compared to if you live in more temperate regions.
Moreover, if you experience a lot of traffic jams regularly, they can also take a toll on the tire sensor’s battery as opposed to when you are driving at a constant speed on open highways.
If the battery is low or drained, it might set off malfunction warning signals which will turn on the TPMS light. To fix this problem, you will need to change the sensors in the tires.
Any rust or corrosion on or inside the valve of the TPMS can cause the sensors to malfunction. If you do not fix this issue quickly, it can lead to serious problems for your car, like puncturing your tire when the corroded valve stem snaps.
This issue, however, is only limited to tire sensors that are equipped with aluminum valve stems and not rubber ones.
In the same way, debris and dirt accumulation can also cause the sensors to stop working properly.
Like hot weather, cold weather can also result in inaccurate readings. This is because the cold can compress the air in the tire, which can mess up the readings. However, keep in mind that this does not mean that your TPMS is irrevocably damaged.
If you live in colder states, it is a good idea to let your car run three or four miles, give them a chance to heat up the air inside, and then check the reading of the TPMS.
Yes, as strange as it may seem. If you have recently got your tire changed, it could be that you damaged the tire sensors when removing the tire aggressively with a tool like a pry bar. This is because a lot of the equipment used to change a car’s tire was not designed to plan for the eventual installation of the TPMS in the tires.
During a tire change, the TPMS installed on the rim can get snagged by the tire and become damaged.
Fortunately, there is a way you can prevent your TPMS from being damaged during a tire change:
Typically, a tire sensor can cost you anywhere between $50 and $250. If you think that the tire sensors in all four of your tires have gone bad, you can expect to pay between $200 and $1000 for buying the sensors.
If you do not know how to replace the tire sensors yourself, you can get them installed by any car workshop for about $10 to $30 for each tire. This will bring your total cost to about $240 to $1,120.
As you can see, this is not an unsubstantial sum so it is a good idea to check the car mechanics in your area to make sure they can do the job adequately. Not every mechanic is experienced or even a mechanic and if you go for dirt-cheap service, there is a high chance your TPMS may not be properly installed or become damaged in the process.
This can lead to serious issues with your car’s tires as well as put you at a higher risk of road accidents. Therefore, only enlist the services of a certified and experienced mechanic, even if they charge you a bit more since they will get the job done the right way.
Also, keep in mind that you need to reset the TPMS light every time you get the sensor changed.
The TPMS has made it easier for drivers to perform tire maintenance.
The TPMS system has been designed to monitor the air pressure in the tires and to notify them in case anything goes wrong. All in all, the system has added another level of safety to driving by ensuring you do not suffer from a tire blowout that can lead to terrible road accidents.
That is why it is important to ensure your tire sensors are working properly and keep a watch for the various symptoms of faulty TPMS. If you do notice something amiss with the sensors, it is best to get them checked out rather than risking your safety on the road.
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems or TPMS sensors are a critical addition to your car. They detect a sudden drop in tire pressure and warn you about it, allowing you to inflate the tires before something awful happens.
Therefore, when any of these sensors go bad, it’s crucial to know which one it is and how to fix it. Here are a few quick ways to tell which TPMS sensor is bad:
This article will explain each method in detail to help you quickly and easily determine which TPMS sensor needs to be replaced.
Read on for more information on these and insights into the tell-tale signs of a faulty TPMS sensor.
A TPMS scanner is a specialized tool that can quickly diagnose which sensor is bad. It works by reading the signal from each sensor and displaying the data on a screen. This method is the most accurate way to tell which sensor is faulty, but it does require you to purchase or borrow a TPMS scanner from your local auto shop.
While buying a scanner may seem like an inconvenience, it’s worth ensuring that you’re not unnecessarily replacing good sensors. Also, using a TPMS scanner can help you avoid potential problems in the future by allowing you to catch a defective sensor before it causes damage to your tires or wheels.
If you don’t have access to a TPMS scanner, a digital pressure gauge is another quick and easy way to tell which sensor is faulty. You can usually find these at your local auto parts store, and they’re relatively inexpensive.
To determine which tire sensor is bad using this approach, follow these steps:
If there’s a significant difference between the reading on the TPMS and the reading on the gauge, then you know that sensor is bad. But if the readings are similar, the sensor likely needs to be reset. Either way, a digital pressure gauge is a helpful tool to have in your arsenal when troubleshooting TPMS issues.
If you’re still having trouble pinpointing which sensor is bad, another approach is to follow these steps:
If all of the sensor readings change, all of your sensors are in good shape.
However, if a reading remains unchanged, that’s the sensor you need to replace.
If you’re still unsure which sensor is bad, another method is to inspect each sensor visually.
To inspect your tire sensors for damage, you need these tools:
Once you’ve gathered the mentioned tools, follow these steps:
If there’s any sign of damage, that’s likely your faulty sensor. However, if there are no visible signs of wear, you can repeat the above steps for all of your remaining tire sensors until you find the one causing the issue.
Caution: Always take extra care when jacking up your car or working on sensitive parts.
If you’re not comfortable doing this on your own, it’s best to take your vehicle to a mechanic.
If you’ve tried all of the above methods and are still unsure which sensor is faulty, your best bet is to take your car to a mechanic. A mechanic can accurately diagnose and replace any faulty TPMS sensors, saving you the time and hassle of doing it yourself. Besides, it’s always best to let a professional handle potentially risky procedures like this.
Now that you know how you can tell which TPMS sensor is bad, let’s now look at some of the signs that indicate you might have a faulty sensor. It’s crucial to be aware of these signs so you can take action as soon as possible and avoid any potential problems down the road.
When your TPMS light comes on, it’s usually a sign something is wrong with your car’s TPMS sensor. This sensor monitors the air pressure in your tires, and if there’s an issue with this pressure, the TPMS light will signal to let you know.
Common causes of this light turning on include a faulty sensor, a problem with the system’s wires or connections, or simply incorrect tire pressure.
Whatever the cause of your TPMS light turning on, it’s essential to address it as soon as possible. If ignored, a problem with the sensor can cause damage to your tires and other vital components of your car.
Another sign that you might have a bad TPMS sensor is if the ABS light on your dashboard turns on. The ABS relies on the TPMS sensors to function correctly, so if a sensor is damaged or not working correctly, it can trigger the ABS light.
ABS stands for the anti-lock braking system — a safety feature that prevents your brakes from locking up. If you notice that the ABS light is illuminated, it’s crucial to take your car to a mechanic right away to get it checked and repaired. By doing so, you’ll ensure your vehicle is always in good working condition and is safe to drive.
Another possible sign of a faulty TPMS sensor is if the steering wheel becomes jerky or unresponsive when you’re driving.
This can be due to a gradual loss of air pressure in your tires, which can cause uneven wear and damage to the tire. If this happens, it’s essential to get your car checked by a mechanic as soon as possible so any problems with your TPMS sensor can be detected and repaired.
Besides causing issues like the ones mentioned above, faulty TPMS sensors can also cause false alerts about the condition of your tires. For example, you might get a warning that says your tire is low on air when it’s fine, or you might get an alert that says your tire is OK when it’s low on air.
Either way, these false alerts can be frustrating and cause you to waste time and money. If you’re constantly getting false alerts from your TPMS system, it’s good to have the sensors checked to see if they’re working correctly.
If you notice that your fuel consumption has increased, it might be due to a faulty TPMS sensor. When a sensor is damaged or not working correctly, you may not know if your tires are in bad shape, hurting gas mileage.
Generally, the condition of your tires has a significant impact on your car’s fuel efficiency.
If your tires are low on air, they won’t roll as smoothly, so your vehicle will have to work harder and use more fuel.
Another sign that your TPMS sensor might be faulty is if you notice low air pressure in one or more of your tires. This could result from a damaged sensor, or it may be due to a slow leak in one of your tires that you haven’t noticed yet.
To prevent this from happening, it’s essential to regularly check the air pressure in your tires and make sure they’re inflated to the proper level. You should also have your tires inspected by a professional if you notice any unusual wear or tear. Also, ensure your sensors are working to avoid any future issues.
A faulty TPMS sensor will eventually need to be replaced. In most cases, you’ll need to take your car to a mechanic or tire shop to have the sensor replaced.
However, if you’re comfortable working on your vehicle, you may be able to replace the sensor yourself.
To replace a faulty tire pressure sensor, follow these steps:
Here’s a video tutorial that may come in handy when replacing your TPMS sensor:
Caution: Make sure you know how to safely use them before attempting to replace your tire pressure sensor.
Incorrectly replacing a tire pressure sensor can damage your car or cause serious injury.
The tire pressure sensor is an integral part of your car’s safety system, but it can sometimes cause issues. If you’re experiencing any symptoms such as false alerts, decreased fuel efficiency, or low air pressure in your tires, it may be time to have your TPMS sensor checked.
Luckily, if the sensor is faulty, it’s usually possible to replace it yourself. Just follow the steps outlined above, and you should be able to replace your TPMS sensor in no time. However, it’s always best to consult with a professional if you’re not comfortable working on your car.
Continuous monitoring of tire pressure proved to be excellent in military, and then in sports all-terrain vehicles. In this way, the cross-country ability was improved, quickly lowering and pumping up the wheels, and also protected the cars from punctures and tire shooting.
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but Stable Stabil pressure is also important for civilian vehicles, providing safety and economy. As a result, various variants of TMPS were developed, which, after the translation of the English abbreviation, means a tire pressure monitoring system.
Anything is possible while driving. Slow punctures, when the wheel loses pressure gradually, fast, but silent depressurization of the rear wheel, which a novice driver may not notice, and simply a deviation from the norm.
In the latter case, nothing terrible happens, but fuel consumption increases, and tire life decreases.
It is unrealistic to force all drivers to follow the main tire parameter. It is much more reliable to provide them with an indicator with the output of readings on the dashboard and an alarm about deviations from the nominal value.
But the task is technically difficult, and we had to wait a long time until the technology was able to allow us to develop and master in a large series relatively inexpensive devices for wide application.
There are several monitoring systems that differ in terms of measuring principles.
The last option is the most common, sensors are installed on the wheels of expensive cars, as well as tuning in the budget segment.
Each transmits telemetry information via radio signal to a common unit.
There it is decrypted, the device number and the pressure value are highlighted. The computer knows where which source is located, since when they were initialized, they were registered in the general structure of the car's controllers.
It remains to display information, light and sound warnings on the driver's dashboard or a separate monitor that deals specifically with pressure control.
The battery is part of the wheel sensor. Usually these are reliable and small-sized sources designed for 5 years or more. But if after this period the device began to fail and fail, it may be time to change the battery.
The operating conditions of the sensor in the wheel are such that it is difficult for it to survive until the power source is discharged. Overload shock and from fast rotation, vibration, temperature changes, water and dirt - all this will not quickly kill only the most reliable device from a serious manufacturer. Market analogues do not live for more than a year.
The fault signal can be different. Sometimes internal diagnostics is used with the ignition of a control lamp. In other cases, it is easy to notice the discrepancy between the monitor readings and the actual tire pressure. Details can be reported by a scanner connected via the diagnostic connector.
Kits of varying complexity are available for self-installation. They usually consist of sensors, a signal receiver and a monitor for visual reading. The preferred one is where the sensors are mounted inside the tire at the base of the wheel valve. Valves are included. These sensors are much harder to steal in a parking lot.
After installing the system according to the instructions, the sensors are registered in order to know which signal corresponds to which wheel. In the future, care must be taken when mounting tires, the sensors are easily damaged by the tools of the stand.
Setting up the system after mounting the sensors is reduced to their registration.
For this, dealer or universal OBD scanners have a corresponding opportunity.
In the section of the program dedicated to the pressure control system, it is necessary to enter in a certain order the IDs of all four sensors that are directly on them.
Completely the system accepts the sensors after the test drive, it should take some time. After that, it remains only according to the readings of the scanner to verify the information from the sensors with the real pressure in the wheels, making sure that it works normally.
If not the whole system failed, but only indications from individual wheels are missing, then most likely the fault of the sensors.
There must be no external signs of impacts and other mechanical damage that affects devices placed both on the valve cap and under it.
The valve itself is also part of the sensor, acting as a radiating antenna, so it must have a well-defined shape and spatial orientation relative to the disk.
The ability to measure the voltage of the built-in battery, as well as the likelihood of replacing it, depend on the design of the sensor. Non-separable change completely. In collapsible, the battery must hold at least 3 volts under load. If the reading of the connected multimeter in voltmeter mode is lower, the battery is replaced.
Sensor readings are read by OBD scanners via the diagnostic connector. Whether to enter the menu section dedicated to TPMS. It provides all the information that enters the control unit, these are pressure, temperature and sensor IDs. After that, it is easy to calculate the faulty one, make a replacement and registration.
Tire pressure monitoring system ( TPMS - Tire Pressure Monitoring System ) is not installed on all vehicles.
It refers to additional options and is aimed at timely detection of excessive deviations from the norm of air pressure in tires. You can mount it both independently and at an authorized dealer or in any car repair shop.
Tire pressure monitoring system
The monitoring system consists of:
Important! When purchasing pressure sensors for the first time, it is better to first call in a car service to be told which type of them is suitable. Not all cars are equipped with on-board computers, you may have to buy equipment with a remote display to install it in the cabin.
The whole system is complex and sometimes fails. Most often, drivers are faced with such a problem - a low pressure signal appears on the display in any of the wheels, although in fact everything is in order.
It is necessary to remove the sensor error, otherwise the tire pressure monitoring system will not work correctly.
Sensor error
The causes of the malfunction may be:
These are temporary faults. As soon as the car moves away from the source of the problem, everything will be restored.
This is already a serious problem that needs to be solved. The constantly flashing indicator distracts from driving, and the beep is annoying and does not allow you to concentrate.
Tire pressure drop icon
Pressure sensor error is not uncommon. It has been noticed that owners of car brands such as Ford, Mercedes, Lexus and Kia sportage are especially affected by this. But this is only when installing non-original devices, in suspicious car services, in pursuit of cheapness.
As a result, there is a failure in the system and grief, motorists have to look for information on how to remove the hated error and restore the normal functioning of the equipment.
Unfortunately, there is no universal remedy for all vehicles. But still, the actions of drivers in the event of such a problem should be approximately the same.
Checking tire pressure
1.First of all, you need to make sure that the system is really giving an error.
Drivers are often outraged by a burning indicator, thinking that everything is normal, and the pressure sensors are broken, but in reality everything is not at all like that.
Continue driving at the recommended speed of no more than 80 km/h.
In this case, you should monitor the indicators. It is impossible to say how much time exactly you need to drive to remove the error icon, it is different for each car. If you listen to the reviews of motorists, then Mercedes and Kia sportage require a longer time period than Ford and Lexus. But more than an hour in any case should not pass.
2. When it is definitely established that the pressure sensor error is present, it is time for the second stage - you must refer to the instructions.
Tire Pressure Adaptation
Each vehicle and optional equipment must have operating instructions. They also indicate possible errors and solutions. In most cases, the whole problem is solved by resetting the pressure sensor and rebooting the on-board computer.
3. If the previous option did not help or there is no instruction manual, then you will have to contact a car service.
Tire pressure sensor repair
When choosing a company, you need to pay attention to its reputation and experience of employees, in this case, an auto electrician is interested.
The specialist must have all the necessary equipment to diagnose and correct the error. To remove it, the master flashes (reprograms) the sensors. For this, special programs are used. You can try to do it yourself, armed with a tablet with an installed application and special hardware codes. But there is a chance to ruin everything completely.
Sensor errors
4. When nothing helped, the failure is not fixed, and the auto electrician advises buying new pressure sensors, then it's time to decide: drive with the indicator light on, turn off the system completely or purchase a new set.
Important! Original sensors are expensive, but last a long time. Clones and used ones are cheap, but their lifespan is not known.
The tire pressure monitoring system helps you drive safely. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor its correctness. When an indication occurs, everything should be checked, and if there was a failure in the system and this is an error, then it is urgent to remove it.
