TMPS Battery

[Bwana64]

So I got new tires on the wife's Tahoe. I paid $40 extra for the TMPS kit. Now they tell me one of the batteries needs replacement and that is going to run me $85. Is there a cheaper way or alternative? Anybody know what the deal is here?
Bwana

 

[ruffdog]

They probably installed used TPMS sensors.

 

[Midniteoyl]

How old are the TMPS sensors? Who put them in? Whats the warranty?

 

[Clint S]

At $10 a tire your just got a rebuild kit, not a new sensor. Most just come with valve stem, stem hold down nut , schrader and rubber washer. Like this kit
Tire Pressure Sensor TPMS TPS Valve Stem Schrader Style 20020AK Complete Kit | eBay

On many the batteries are not replaceable so the whole unit needs to be replaced.

Many of the systems are self learning meaning if you rotate the tires or remove a tire for repair the system will relearn the position of the tire when it gets put back on.

On my Mitsubishi it is NOT a self learning system meaning if I remove a tire and drive the car without the flat tire in the car and the system "loses" track of the sensor you have to go to the dealer for a reset at a cost of $50. The dealer even said that in some instance rotating can cause the need for a reset.

 

[ruffdog]

Also, were they the GM oem sensors or those funky off brand ones?

 

[Bwana64]

Here is some more info. 2007 Chevy Tahoe. 88,000 miles. Took it to Discount Tire, which is a big national chain. Bought 4 new tires, and they tacked on $40 for the TPMS rebuild kit. They call and tell me one of the batteries is out and needs replacing at $85.

 

[ruffdog]

This is what your TPMS sensors should look like and my reset tool is in the center.

 

[Clint S]

Battery life is 5 to 7 years or around 100k. For $40 you got the kit like I posted for each tire.
Be thankful on my car you cannot change the battery. So $150 for the sensor and $50 reprogramming fee. If I wait for each one to go separately it would be $50 for each reprogram.

When one battery goes the rest are not far off.

 

[ruffdog]

Just for kicks, search for "gm tpms" on ebay and check the prices. Like Clint said, replace all 4 sensors and unless they rotate the tire on the rim, you shouldn't need balancing. It takes about 2 min to reset the tpms with tool.

 

[Bwana64]

Okay, thanks for your replies.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Guys are right, time for 4 new batteries. Just bite the bullet and replace them all.

Chris

 

[kenmac]

just be glad you don't own an 07 tundra. The price is much higher for tpms

 

[Reg]

I am looking at a system by innotechrv, one FEATURE that looks SO COMPETITIVE is that the
sensor batteries are replaceable. Standard CR1632 "button" batteries.
About $400 for a 10 wheel set, another $58 for a signal booster if you need it.
{Not sure how that works, if the inner tires on a 4 tire axle are too far in/under to transmit to
the receiver - I'm not seeing how enough signal gets to the booster}

Anyone have any DIRECT experience of innotechrv ?

 

[Midniteoyl]

Signal booster is for your toad

 

[Reg]

I am looking at a system by innotechrv, one FEATURE that looks SO COMPETITIVE is that the
sensor batteries are replaceable. Standard CR1632 "button" batteries.
About $400 for a 10 wheel set, another $58 for a signal booster if you need it.
{Not sure how that works, if the inner tires on a 4 tire axle are too far in/under to transmit to
the receiver - I'm not seeing how enough signal gets to the booster}

Anyone have any DIRECT experience of innotechrv ?

 

[ruffdog]

I think I would stick with the factory system on a car or truck. Here is what a user said about the innotechrv system.

Innotech RV TPMS

 

[Clint S]

My light was on after a flat and I drove the car after leaving the tire to be fixed. Just paid $ 46 to get it reset. When my batteries start to go a piece of tape over the idiot light, visual inspection every time I drive the care and a $10 tire gauge will get me by.