I need help with TMP sensors for winter tires on Ford.

[yelbike]

I need TPMS sensors ford my wife's 2007 Ford Expedition. I don't want to live with the light on. Dealers want outrageous money for them, so I'm left trying to find either new/used on ebay or aftermarket ones. I'm finding so little information. What do you guys do? I can't be the only one.

Here's what I know so far: dealer say it needs tpms-4. which are band type sensors. They operate at 315hz.

Can I successfully use stem type sensors? I can get a set of tpms-12 which operate at the same 315hz.

The dealer can't say if they will or won't work. Basically, here is the part number, do you want me to order it or not. They don't seem to have a whole lot of knowledge on them. I'm sure they basically just replace warranty ones if they find a faulty one.

Some sources have interchange from 2007-2011, some is 2010-2013. Does that mean 2007-2013 all use the same.

Maybe I'm cheap but I don't want to spend $250 on sensors if less expensive alternative is available.

I can get tpms new for $55 delivered. I would prefer stem type sensors.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Here are the ones I was looking at.

Genuine Ford Lincoln Mercury Motorcraft Tire Pressure Sensor TPMS12 | eBay

 

[CNC Dan]

regarding the stem type, are your rims threaded for the valve stems?

Do you have any salvage yards that you could pull one from a compatable car/truck?

 

[puckgrinder85]

The rims are never threaded. There are a few type, the band type which ford tends to use that secures the TPMS sensor to the drop center of the rim, the aluminum valve stem type and the type pictured above in his link which is basically a normal valve stem with a brass threaded stem that protrudes into the tire cavity where you scew the sensor to.


I've put tpms stems in wheels that didnt originally come with it or aftermarket wheels. Whether or not you have clearance for the sensor is what I think is the main concern. The dealer is probably giving you limited info because its a liability for them. They cant take a functioning system and make it non-functioning, neither can anyone else as its illegal. We had a meeting here at our shop and it was very specific about this. Its like disabling an airbag system and letting the customer have the car back, opens a door for getting sued.

I'm sure you wouldnt have issues as long as you can find someone to do it, again the liabilty may deter some shops. The stems are physically the same as far as the diameter goes. They are both .583 in diameter at the sealing area, I just measured. That and you'll have to have the sensors programmed when they are installed and when you switch your other tires around.

Dont bother with used, they normally only last 7 years (battery estimated life).


Ps- I would think as long as the frequency is matched what is on the vehicle now you should have no issues with getting them programmed. Our programmer shows a few frequencies (4 total) and I assume thats all they use. The most common being 315.

 

[yelbike]

The rims are never threaded. There are a few type, the band type which ford tends to use that secures the TPMS sensor to the drop center of the rim, the aluminum valve stem type and the type pictured above in his link which is basically a normal valve stem with a brass threaded stem that protrudes into the tire cavity where you scew the sensor to.


I've put tpms stems in wheels that didnt originally come with it or aftermarket wheels. Whether or not you have clearance for the sensor is what I think is the main concern. The dealer is probably giving you limited info because its a liability for them. They cant take a functioning system and make it non-functioning, neither can anyone else as its illegal. We had a meeting here at our shop and it was very specific about this. Its like disabling an airbag system and letting the customer have the car back, opens a door for getting sued.

I'm sure you wouldnt have issues as long as you can find someone to do it, again the liabilty may deter some shops. The stems are physically the same as far as the diameter goes. They are both .583 in diameter at the sealing area, I just measured. That and you'll have to have the sensors programmed when they are installed and when you switch your other tires around.

Dont bother with used, they normally only last 7 years (battery estimated life).


Ps- I would think as long as the frequency is matched what is on the vehicle now you should have no issues with getting them programmed. Our programmer shows a few frequencies (4 total) and I assume thats all they use. The most common being 315.

Thanks. I knew the treaded rim was an unintentional wild goose chase!

Liability is apperently not an issue here. Some guys are going to the dealer to get the system deleted.

My "new" rims are factory f150 so I don't think clearance is an issue. Programming might be. I'll just put them in and see what I can do about programming after I guess.

Does tpms-4 vs tpms-12 mean anything?

 

[puckgrinder85]

Wow, yea federally mandated in 07, cant take a working system and make it non-functioning. You're dealer could be in it deep if someone blows a tire or something. Especially being a ford dealer and the old explorer roll over issues a decade or whatever it was ago, you'd think they'd be a little leary but its their choice. Even tire rack gives you a little flak about it when you order a wheel and tire combo, they are under the same restrictions because they are selling them "ready to install".

Sounds like you'l be fine with the rims, i dont know why ford uses the band type around the rim, kind of a PITA, but then again ford isnt known in the mechanic world to be the easiest to service all the time.

I have no idea what the 12 or 4 means.


Here is some light reading that I just looked up.

Tire-pressure monitoring system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[zzvyb6]

I bought mine where I bought my winter snow tires (Costco). If you are that cheap, why don't you just change the tires back and forth on the current rims and sensors ? Find out if the truck has to be reprogrammed each time a tire assembly with a different sensor ID is mounted. There still could be some cost involved if so. Costco does this for free. I have a separate set of wheels and Blizzak tires for all 3 vehicles, but the Cadillac has to be reprogrammed each time you change over. Not sure about the '07 Tahoe yet, but I use it so little I will keep the Blizzaks on it year round.

 

[CNC Dan]

The rims are never threaded. There are a few type, the band type which ford tends to use that secures the TPMS sensor to the drop center of the rim, the aluminum valve stem type and the type pictured above in his link which is basically a normal valve stem with a brass threaded stem that protrudes into the tire cavity where you scew the sensor to.

mine look threaded:


now that i look closer, it's the stem that's threaded not the rim. my bad.

 

[puckgrinder85]

Yea, thats the aluminum sensor style I mentioned. Same size hole for the stem to stick through however. There is a little round rubber gasket that seals these.

Here is what they look like out of the rim.

TPMS Direct Fit (OEM) Sensors

 

[Diamondpilot]

We replaced some on a Lincoln with ebay units. The programing involved a magnet so I used a old car speaker.

Chris

 

[yelbike]

We replaced some on a Lincoln with ebay units. The programing involved a magnet so I used a old car speaker.

Chris

Good tip, I'll try that trick before heading to the dealer if needed.