TMPS Light on 2011 Tundra

My TPMS light is on and will not go out. I have checked my tire pressure in all tires and it is good. The manual is telling me that I need to take to dealer to have a diagnostics test run on it. Is there a way that I can find out why it is staying on without taking it to a dealer?

TIA

Jeff

 

With the Techstream software you can look at the actual readings of each sensor. It'll tell you which tire's sensor isn't working but I wouldn't trust it. I would just replace all the sensors. That's what I did. I actually did it myself as you just need to break the bead on the front of the tire to replace the sensor. No messing with balancing. But you do need to enter the new codes into the ECM or if you get the type of sensor that can be programed they will need to have the correct code programed. I just bought a 4 pack of the TRW sensors from Amazon for less than $60. Since I had a copy of Techstream and the cable it was a half hour job at most. I did find that one of the working sensors was a replacement so that told me that 2 of the 4 died. That's why I did all 4. With Techstream you can see the codes of the old sensors and then figure out which is the bad one and keep the other three but if one has reached the end of it's life the others can't be far behind.

 

Yep, the batteries are probably dead.

 

Yeah I was thinking that it could be that the battery in one of the sensors has died. I was just trying to figure out if I could confirm this without taking the dealer. I do like the idea of replacing all four, makes sense to me. I just wonder about getting to them and the receiver to talk to each other. I read about the Techstream software but I am weary about having to let someone remote into my computer to configure software. Seems like a good piece of software and something that would be handy to have.

Thanks for the information.

 

The batteries last about 10 years so I would just replace all 4 sensors.

 

That is what I am thinking as well.

 

Buy the sensors yourself and take them to the tire shop you use. This will work out a lot better if you need new tires anyway and you pay for all that at your preferred tire shop. I would not go running to the dealership to do this work, it will be way more money than it needs to be.

 

I invested in a mid range bi-directional scan tool since I do or at least attempt to do all of my repairs myself. With "computer" vehicles today, having a scan tool is almost a "must have" tool for accurately diagnosing. A vehicle specific shop manual, a bi-directional scan tool and a oscilloscope would be perfect for diagnosing. Unfortunately, Toyota doesn't sell the shop manual; I guess they want to force us to bring our vehicle to them along with our savings account. I have found part of a bootleg version of their manual for 2015 Tundras online, so if you can't find the problem, I would be happy to look it up. Hopefully, I have that part of the manual and it probably is the same as the '15 model. Just let me know if you would like me to look for it.

 

Thanks for the information. I am thinking that I will buy 4 sensors and either put them in myself or take them to a tire shop to be done. I am just trying to figure out if I can buy ones that will automatically sync with the truck or will I have to get them programmed. Any suggestions?

thanks.

 

I have set them on GM cars with my Launch scan tool when the tires have been rotated, since it would show the pressure for the wrong tire if they weren't reset but I can't say for Toyota. I would think Toyota would be the same. Being you will probably need to go to a tire shop to have them installed, I would go to one who has the tool or if you know someone who has a scan tool, check it out first. While it's most likely the sensor, it could also be the module that receives the signal and a host of other things. They use a CAN BUS system that can get complicated and it takes only one module to not communicate with the rest and the ECU to throw it off.

 

PS: On most vehicles, you need to take it for a drive after adding air before the light will clear. I'm new on here, so if you can tell me how, I will send you the 109 page chapter from the shop manual on this subject (Tire and Wheels) for 2015 Tundras. I don't know if I can attach a file and I don't want to paste 109 pages. lol

 

Also be aware that the pressure sensors can be different depending on the wheels. The steel wheels I believe have a different stem angle compared to the alloy ones.

 

OH, I found it. This may help you. It's for a 2015 Tundra but I'm guessing it is either the same or very similar. Hope it helps.

 

Thanks Ramblin_man, I downloaded the file. I just ordered my own TPMS scanning tool. It will be here later this week so I will see what I find out. I did some checking and the sensors from Toyota start at $91.00 each. My local dealer wants $178.00 plus just to run a diagnostics on my truck. The scanning tool cost me $20.00 more plus it will "learn" a new sensor if I end up having to replace one. Which as suggested above I suspect that this is what I will have to do.

Thanks for all the information from everyone, I will try to post my findings later this week.

 

You're welcome. Hope it works out. Did you try resetting the sensors using the reset button that is located below the steering column? That just resets the baseline pressure to what it is at the time of the reset, so I doubt that would help anyway. If you decide to try it, the procedure is in your owners manual. Good luck!

 

FWIW - Earlier this year, I put four new sensors on my Tacoma - same process for the Tundra. I purchased four Denso (OE supplier for Toyota) sensors from Amazon. Independent tire dealer installed and programmed the sensors for 100 bucks. I confirmed the unique ID numbers with my copy of Techstream.

 

Just wanted to give an update. I received the Autel TPMS scanner tool and used it on my truck. The driver's side front failed to read. The others all read just fine. So now it is time to buy a new sensor and put in the tire. I just wanted to thank everyone again for all the suggestions and help. Jbrnigan which Denso model did you purchase?
Thanks again.

 

Good deal. Finding the problem is usually the hardest part.

 

I hate to keep starting new threads so I'll piggyback off this one if you guys don't mind.

So I just came from a long line of Ram/Jeep vehicles. TPMS system on those is amazing. Sensors are automatically detected with NO programming or input from the user. Tire rotations are no issue. There is also a standard display on the dash showing tire pressure at all 4 corners of the vehicle.

Fast forward to now. I have my first Toyota truck. I just bought new wheels and tires for it, and I had new TPMS sensors installed in them at the same time. I will be putting these on the truck tonight because snow is coming. I have some questions:

- If I buy the Autel programming tool listed earlier in this thread, will I be able to program these new sensors to my truck?

- When I rotate my tires, which I will do every oil change in a cross-rotation method, will I need to have the position of the sensors updated in the computer onboard?

- Does anybody know what the low pressure threshold is set to for a 2016 Tundra? I plan to run my tires at 35 PSI. Discount Tire recommended 40, but door sticker says 30 front, 33 rear, so I'm just going to do 35.

 

I have a Launch Scan tool that is compatible with my 2015 Tundra but I'm not familiar with Autel. My scan tool has vehicles that I never heard of but it's a $1500 bi-directional scan tool, so just check or ask before buying Autel. I've heard it is a good tool and suspect it will work but just not positive. As for rotation, my Tundra just tells me I have a low tire but it doesn't tell me which one or what the pressure is like my Camaro SS or your Ram/Jeep does, so if the 2016 is the same, it won't matter. I have a service manual for my Tundra (downloaded it for free but it seems to corrospond to the OEM manual). I uploaded the chapter on tires on this thread. It's about the 14th message from the top if you want to download it. Hope this helps. Jeff

 

It may be too late but the transmitters (sensors) have an ID number on them that you will need to program them. Hopefully, you have those 8 digit ID codes or you may need to remove the tires from the rims to get them. Also, my truck has a tire pressure warning reset switch in the cab. The manual discusses the threshold before the warning light is illuminated but doesn't indicate a value. I would let the air out of one of my tires until the light illuminates but unfortunately, I was in an accident a couple of weeks go, so my truck is having some body work done at this time. It's all good, no one was hurt and that's what really matters. Just a fender bender...
The following is from the manual which you can download from the 13th message (not 14th as previously stated) of this thread:

5. TIRE PRESSURE WARNING RESET SWITCH
By operating the tire pressure warning reset switch, the tire pressure warning ECU can be set to issue
a warning at an inflation pressure that corresponds to the standard pressure of tires. Therefore, the
dealer must set the warning threshold to the proper value in order to comply with local regulations.
Operate the tire pressure warning reset switch only after the inflation pressures of all tires have been
adjusted on the vehicle.
To initialize the system, press and hold the tire pressure warning reset switch for 3 seconds or longer
with the ignition switch to ON. When the system receives the initialization signal, the warning light
blinks 3 times (1 second on, 1 second off).
During initialization, the tire pressure warning valve and transmitters measure the inflation pressure of
the tires, and register the signals that are transmitted into the tire pressure warning ECU at a
frequency of once per minute. The initialization process is completed when signals from all tires have
been received.

 

Yeah it's too late, I ordered my set as a wheel/tire package and they were delivered ready to bolt on. Hopefully there's another way to read the sensors because I'm not breaking bead and risking damage to my new wheels.

The pressure warning reset switch is still just a bit confusing to me as far as exactly what it's purpose is and when a guy would need it.

 

I would check the paperwork that came with the wheels/tires or call the company if you need that code, which I think you will. I never had to mess with mine but I have on other vehicles and I needed the code. The directions in the manual for the reset button is somewhat confusing. I understand it to mean when you push it for the duration indicated, whatever the pressure is at that time becomes the new desired pressure but I'm not sure and I don't know what the tolerance is. If I had my truck, I would test it because I would like to know for sure and I have two air compressors, so it's no big deal. Anyway, that's what I understand it to say and the antenna that receives the signal and delivers it to the ECU is in the dome light. Does the 2016 Tundras indicate which tire is low? I have to walk around my truck to know which is low, so I have no problems with rotation as it's just a yellow light. If you download that chapter, there is more information on the issue or check your owners manual about that reset switch. It may clarify matters. Good Luck!