TPMS please help!

[KUYTD]

Hi folks.

Been having issues with my TPMS recently, just changed my wheels for the winter ones today (ready for MOT tomorrow that I've had to cancel now) thinking it was a dead sensor in one of the other wheels, but the problem persists.

I've tried using the button under the dash next to OBD port, it says initialise but fault remains.tried in in both positions many times over but always the same. All sensors in both sets of wheels are less than 2 years old.

I've plugged my techstream laptop, the codes are saved, but error comes up when I try and communicate with the ECU. So I can't change any codes, plus I can't do the signal check.

So this leaves me thinking,it could be the switch, ECU itself or antenna. I don't know much at all about this system, so I'm unsure what is most likely, where things like antenna and ECU are located or if there is something else it could be??

Do any of you clever folks know anything and are able to put me on the right track??

Error code and screen shots from techstream attached.

Thanks all.

Edited January 26, 2021 by KUYTD
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[johnatg]

I'm pretty sure you don't need working TPMS for an MoT pass for a 2005 car - so at least get your MoT done and fix the problem at leisure! I'm sure someone with more experience with TPMS will be along shortly to help!

[Mossypossy]

Unless you are a bit OCD then I would ignore the tpms light and buy an aftermarket monitoring system for about £30.

[KUYTD]

Thing is I thought this too, but MOT places say that red warning light on dash is a fail, and as far as I know there is no way to disable it fully.

On another note, I am rather OCD and would really like get rid of the big red light and the flashing yellow one that comes with this fault.

[Mossypossy]

Not a fail on a pre 2012 car

My light was not even noted on the MOT sheet

[KUYTD]

Ok guys I appreciate your comments, I'll have a chat with the MOT guy before I book again. I have to do the brakes first anyway, as have a sticky caliper I noticed today that I have to sort, luckily I have spare ones.

But I'd still really like to be able to sort the TPMS anyway, so any knowledge please let me know. 😀

[Sami Tilander]

Sorry for stubid question, but did you switch to the second set of sensors by pressing the button under the glovebox?

Your pictures were a bit blurry, but it seems that you have errors from 5 different sensors? The only way to know if the sensors are ok (e.g. sending something) is to go to a local tire shop: they should have a handheld scanner which can read the sensors through the tire... and they should be then able to tell the correct IDs as well.

Note: the initialization procedure only sets the pressure limits for sensons, first you need to have working sensors the ECU can read...

BR.Sami

[Mossypossy]

I thought if you had a set of winter tyres programmed to system then Techstream would show 8 ID codes registered in memory.

[KUYTD]

2 hours ago, Sami Tilander said:

Sorry for stubid question, but did you switch to the second set of sensors by pressing the button under the glovebox?

Your pictures were a bit blurry, but it seems that you have errors from 5 different sensors? The only way to know if the sensors are ok (e.g. sending something) is to go to a local tire shop: they should have a handheld scanner which can read the sensors through the tire... and they should be then able to tell the correct IDs as well.

Note: the initialization procedure only sets the pressure limits for sensons, first you need to have working sensors the ECU can read...

BR.Sami

Hi Sami.

Great comment. So I guess no, I have been pressing the one under the steering column, I didn't know or had forgotten if there is a second button, so I'll try that this morning and report.

So I don't know if it's errors or no Comms. When I had the winter tyres put on I got all New sensors, noted the codes and I know it's the right codes on the screen for this set of wheels. Plus all was fine with this set before I swapped to summer wheels.

The summer wheels, again I had new sensors put in and all was fine for months. Biggest worry is techstream that will not even open the TPMS utility to program, just says can't communicate.

No tire place I've been to in Norwich seems to have the Lexus capabilities, do you know if that scanner you were talking about is a general thing? I may have to make a couple of calls.

Thanks Sami..

[KUYTD]

46 minutes ago, Mossypossy said:

I thought if you had a set of winter tyres programmed to system then Techstream would show 8 ID codes registered in memory.

Moss

I'm trying to remember what it looked like when I initially programmed them all, I have a feeling it only shows the codes for the set of tyres the car is expecting.

[Mossypossy]

Latest version of Techstream will not allow TPMS programming. You have to revert to earlier version. Not sure of which ones but this is what I found.

Definitely locate the under glove box switch for winter tyres first. That will be the simple solution.

[KUYTD]

1 hour ago, Mossypossy said:

Latest version of Techstream will not allow TPMS programming. You have to revert to earlier version. Not sure of which ones but this is what I found.

Definitely locate the under glove box switch for winter tyres first. That will be the simple solution.

Right.

Button located, pressed and initialisation attempted and failed, same thing tried several times in each position, still flashy lights 😞

[Mossypossy]

I have managed to temporarily clear warning lights by doing initialisation. Warning light comes back on after 20 miles/ minutes driving.

I would have thought you would get same result.

As for external code readers at tyre fitting places. Many different readers needed to cover all TPMS systems, lucky if a garage has one that can read yours.

[KUYTD]

Well I spoke to my garage today - Delmore in Norwich, the only place I ever take my car's - and have had confirmed that it will not fail MOT for this as you guys said, so a small win.

So next port of call now I've been reminded there is a switch to change what tyre set is on it, is to put the other wheels back on and rule out all 4 of the winter ones being dead.

So I've ordered some brake pads, then I'll swap the sticking caliper and swap wheels at the same time.

Watch this space!

[Sami Tilander]

Hi,

You don't need to change the tyres, just bring them close to the car... Then open Techstream's TPMS Live Data monitoring and check if you are getting any readings... Then you can e.g. move away the other wheels one by one and learn their IDs while monitoring the Techstream 😉 If I remember correctly, the IDs are changing in the Techscream display if you press that tire selector switch. It only displays 5 IDs at time.

If you have the warning symbol + text "Check system" on the small screen, that means the ECU cannot read one (or several) of the sensors. There will be error codes visible on Techscream as well. The "Low tire" indicates that communication is ok, but you need to check the pressures + so the initialization procedure.

I've visited two local tire shops here in Finland, and both of those had that kind of a general handheld scanner: they just selected first the make & model of my car and started scanning...

One word of warning: I had a lot of trouble with one set of aftermarket sensors: they worked most of the time, but not all the time. Had to switch back to the OEM sensors (after Battery change). I hope you have reliable sensors...

BR.Sami

[ThE_0nE]

In my case, when I bought 450h 2007 a month ago I had a warning light of TMPS. I ordered Techstream software and by just deleting the errors the light stopped appearing and after 300km haven't appeared yet. I do plan to replace TPMS battery/module, but for now I don't want to be bothered by it.

[twolexii]

My otherwise faultless 96k 07 GS450h is due for its MoT by 14 Feb. The tyres’ Check System message has recently appeared as well as the triangle and flashing light.

My engineer’s going to spend time on solving the problem and believes that the MoT inspection won’t be affected given the car’s age, whether or not he solves it.

The car’s previous owner had the same problem, that only Lexus could, EXPENSIVELY, solve. With two visits as they first failed to correctly reset ALL the car’s systems.

My instinct: TPMS is a pain in the proverbial, as it was an issue I had to get fixed on a previous, otherwise fine, GS450h that I owned.

I carry a digital tyre pressure monitor (I’m told by my tyre specialist, with his own GS450h, that’s the most accurate measure AND that only Lexus can help with fixing TPMS). 

I’m fine checking the 4 pressures every 2 top-ups. Yes I know TPMS will warn me if, say, there’s a slow air leak. But I’ve been driving since 1963 and can feel when a car’s ride’s compromised.

Also, TPMS relies on an eventually dying mercury battery in each tyre’s sensor/transmitter.

SO, does anyone know how to dispense with TPMS altogether, as it makes an otherwise fine touring vehicle cum-muscle-car bothersome.

And is a ready source of easy profit to the dealerships.

Many thanks.

[Mossypossy]

After a lot of research I have deduced that it cannot be deleted. You either spend £££s to eliminate warning light, or live with it.

Choices then are aftermarket monitor that uses valve caps (£30-£100) or good old fashioned tyre gauge reader.

Thought I was onto a relatively easy solution in reading the TPMS codes when tyres were off for new ones, in order to input via Techstream, however some senders were already aftermarket and had no code written on them.

[twolexii]

10 hours ago, Mossypossy said:

After a lot of research I have deduced that it cannot be deleted. You either spend £££s to eliminate warning light, or live with it.

Choices then are aftermarket monitor that uses valve caps (£30-£100) or good old fashioned tyre gauge reader.

Thought I was onto a relatively easy solution in reading the TPMS codes when tyres were off for new ones, in order to input via Techstream, however some senders were already aftermarket and had no code written on them.

Thank you Steve. It’s far too good a car to worry about it, and amazing value for £4-5k.