TPMS Sensor Tools?
 

Looking for a tool to reset my sensors on a 2008 Toyota Yaris when I change wheels and tires from winter to summer and back.

I can have it done free at the local tire place, but it is a bit of a hassle and usually a wait.

I purchased an Autel MaxiTPMS TS401 thinking it would do the job, but nope you have to take the sensor codes and upload through an OBD tool- not made clear when I purchased and not sure how expensive one would be that could do that?

Any suggestions on either a OBD unit or a complete unit that reads the sensors and then automatically uploads?

I would spend around $200 to avoid the hassle, much more than that I guess I sit at the dealer.

Thanks.

Why do you need to know the tire pressure on a Yaris? That thing could probably care less if it had 20 or 40psi. Toss the TPMS and go with standard stems. Problem solved :D

Are you saying that it's not the sensors, but rather the DME that needs to be reset? Like with a PC or software program? Maybe try Foxwell or Schwaben?

Yes, when you change the wheels, you need to read each wheel's sensor and then get the codes into the cars computer for it to work correctly.

The tool I bought will get me the codes from the sensor, but won't upload to cars computer.

When they do it at Discount Tire, they point the tool at each individual wheel and then plug the tool into the car OBD port.

Motion, the hamsters under the hood require a smooth ride or they bounce off the running wheel!

Thanks Sammy...

...but, reading the question section says that it doesn't reprogram on new wheels, just fixes a weird problem.

Maybe?

https://www.tirerack.com/accessories/detail.jsp?ID=2669&brand=BARTEC&cat=TPMS+Tool

Nope, so many of them will just activate or read the sensor, but the car only recognizes them after you enter it into the OBD- if the instrument doesn't have an OBD plug, it only will do half the job.

Thanks for looking though!

Did some searching and I just ordered this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiTPMS-TS501-OBD2-Reader/dp/B01LRJ7UD2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493080561&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=autel+ts501&psc=1

Bit more than I planned on spending, although it appears to do a bunch of other stuff too.

My .02. TPM' s send a specific frequency out - the BCM / ECM 'sees' it. Each manufacturer - then each model; their TPM communicates at different frequency. Example- my '08 BMW TPM are 433 Hz. If you want to use different wheels best bet is go to ********. They list the correct aftermarket TPM / frequency for your vehicle. Once installed you will need to go through the OE reset / learn procedure and that's it.

If the TPM' s have been mounted in the wheels for a while - chances are 1 or more will be damaged while removing. So you would need to replace anyway ( ask me how I know)

There are programmable frequency TPM's out there ( much cheaper) that do require special scan tools. Those are generally for high volume tire shops.

Google - aftermarket TPMS / purchase

The sensors are compatible, it's just that when I switch summer/winter wheels, the car needs to be "told" what sensors to listen for. I just ordered a tool that appears to do everything I need to get the information from the wheels into the car.

Will be here in a couple days and I'll report my success or lack there of.

Rutager

Unless I'm missing something - if you install new TPMS that has the correct frequency - the vehicle will automatically recognize it, you'll just need to iniate the learn procedure.

Let me know.....

I always thought that the reason to input either snow or summer tires had more to do with calibrating the ABS.

No. The TPMS sole function is to 'broadcast' air pressure readings via wireless means to the BCM /ECM. The tire or wheel type or size has no bearing or effect on that.

^ Yes, I understand that. But there is a separate input command to tell the DME which type of tires you are using, at least on my car. The fact that this is not part of the TPMS routine suggests that these are separate parameters.

I am interested.

Had a sensor put in a newer Suburban last week. The guy did something on the dash first and walked around the car with his gizmo. The horn beeped when he pressed a button at each corner.

Was that the re-learn procedure or should you be able to do that with the car's brain alone?

Well I can honestly say - I've not heard of that - ever

The guy was pretty adamant about having to run that procedure with his kit. It did do what it was supposed to do and the sensor worked fine after. I think the effort on the other three corners was overkill. Just one was changed. That's the one that counted.

That was just one car. I don't know much about them. Showboating?

I think some cars are able to learn on their own, mine nope, I did several internet and YouTube searches and it all pointed towards needing to upload and that agrees with what I've seen at Discount Tire- guy walks around to each wheel and then plugs the tool into the OBD port.

You're sure there wasn't a midget hiding in the driver's seat, playing a trick on you?

You are messing with a guy on the edge. :D

Guy had a brand new Snap-On gizmo. No wires. Smelled of $800.

I will call him in the morning.

Seriously, I get more of these TPMS sensor problems than I ever anticipated. I want the tool but I don't know how it works. The cheap one. Not the howitzer.

Yes I have one of those gizmos as well. When I swap my winter to summer rims the sensors have to be re-set. The sequence is in the owners manual.
I only paid $100 for the tool( Ateq VT5 reset tool).
Before I bought the tool I had to either let air out or add air until the horn beeped. When the horn beeps the car computer can now read the sensor.

Good info. So at least some cars can be done without the tool.

Manufacturers are different. My old Acura MDX would read new sensors no problem. Never threw a code. Toyota product I was told only hold one set of sensors in the computer, therefore each time you switch winter to summer and back, you need to have the sensors codes and re program them into the vehicle. Of course now I have a Tacoma and the wife's Lexus. I've just been having the tires swapped by the tire store but would love to get separate wheels for each. One can always pull out the black tape to hide the little flat tire on the dash I suppose.

During my research, I came across a video of a Chevy Volt being done with the same tool I had bought and that car didn't need to have the info entered into the OBD port.

The Volt actually lit up the turn signal on the corner of the car that you where supposed to read next and then honked when it registered!

Tool should arrive tomorrow and I'll give a report.

Yep, I have that same gizmo, smelled a lot like $800.00. Sometimes I hate this business.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1493240318.jpg

Did it look like this ?

I have this one. It works for our Scion and Subaru. Initially you need to plug it into the OBD port to capture the tps codes that are in the car and save them as winter or summer. When you get new tps you need to get the codes from the seller. You then hook the unit up to your computer and load the codes into the unit as either summer or winter.

Yes, Sir. It was a touch newer. I did call him today. He said it was in the $450 range. Maybe a bit longer in size. I am pretty sure I saw Snap-On on the box but he also has Blue Point tools.

He also said that the GM vehicles require the reset procedure but many (most) do not. It's a bummer I did not check out what he did with the dash buttons before he performed the procedure.

You are right with a bit of exception based on his input. That's what you get with an observer guy (me) that has a statistical mass of one car repair experienced.:)

If you would like me to find the population of cars that he is aware of that require it, I pass by his shop frequently. Would be glad to ask him and forward the info to you.

That tool is one Bad-ass B I T C H.

And no, I did not swear!

Guys,

A quick update of my own personal misery. I received the TS501 that is supposed to do the whole job- well it won't even read the sensors; I went through all the software updates just in case and still nothing. Started thinking maybe the sensors were "sleeping" or something, so I tried the TS401 I had gotten first and it read the sensors.

Aarrgh- spent hours on this stupid thing, probably, no, for sure would have been less hassle to have the tire shop just do it, but now it has become personal and I have to do it myself.

Sent an email to their support mailbox- we'll see.

Best,
Rutager

With the right tool, a shop can opt to program a generic sensor for the specific vehicle requiring no further connection to the car. Or they can opt to program them through the OBD port.