sensors SC430 TPMS nightmare

mw430 · December 9, 2021

After the front tyres were replaced the tyre warning light came on, flashing with a repeated bleep. There had been no problem before. They couldn't investigate as their TPMS detector only worked with later sensors which used a higher frequency. Because of this they said all the sensors were dead!

I arranged with Lexus to check this fault out and the day I was due there the tyre light didn't come on. Nothing. So I cancelled. Two days later a solid tyre light was on. All the wheels were at the same pressure, 2.5 bar, so I upped each a little. No change. 50 miles later the solid light was still on, so probably not a tyre pressure problem.

I know, as the car's from 2005, that light's ignored on the MOT. At least it is now but things can change. So I have to decide, hopefully with others' experience, what I should do. The car's records up to 2009 when I bought it, show nothing at all concerning sensors so their batteries could be 15 years old and on their last legs. Can these sensors' batteries be changed?

The sensors are colour coded. Can this type simply be replaced by the same colours and that's the end of the job, leaving the car to do the learning or is any programming needed? Not ignoring the need for someone to loosen off and refit the tyres if I did change the sensors myself.!

I know this topic's been around a long time but from the web it's often hard to tell if the cars posts describe cars from the UK or US and if the sensors are coloured or not.

For example, is the removal of the two plugs beneath the centre console woodwork a fix for all the sensor types and does that extinguish the flat tyre light? Doing that would give me a chance to fix things later if regulations changed and would cost me a lot less right now.

Any help would be welcomed!

Localhero · December 9, 2021

Yes you can disconnect the sensors under the centre console there are instructions on YouTube first time you do it it will take 15 minutes once you have done it its possible in 5 mins, mine is a 2005 and passed mot with sensor disconnected, however I bought 4 new tyres and Kwik fit refused to fit them without sensors, so I took it to National tyres who fitted new tyres without a problem, it is possible to replace batteries imo not worth the effort, hope this helps you and good luck with your decisions 👍

Lexiguy · December 11, 2021

Hi Michael

I had the TPMS light on when I bought my car and needed to resolve the problem.

Despite experiences of TPMS lights giving false indication in cold weather it felt uncomfortable to disconnect the light.

I went to Quikfit who replaced the leaking valve and sensor which I believe cost £80. Unfortunately they were unable to get the sensor to reset the system.

I explained I was going to Lexus Leeds in two days so I would ask them to reset it. Lexus tried but it would not reset until they had replaced the Qwikfit sensor with a Lexus one.

To cut a longer story short I did not have any problems in the last 4 months until the system warned me of low pressure in a rear tyre due to a nail!

I may be a minority but I feel much happier knowing the system works 😀.

mw430 · December 11, 2021

I don't drive the car much but the TPMS has always alerted me to pressure loss while it's been sitting in the garage for months. So I suppose I have relied on the sensors and I would feel a bit susceptible without them.

My current idea is to change the batteries as it doesn't look too daunting on youtube but there's still the unknown that bugs me.

When do sensors, or the car, need "reprogramming" for want of a better expression? Most comments online say this is what's needed, but when?

Is it for physically new coloured sensors, is it for new batteries, is it just for later models that use the same sensor in each wheel, or what?

I feel inclined to replace the front two sensors batteries and take pot luck. I can't see I'd have lost anything apart from time.

After 16 years all the batteries are probably on their last legs and Lexus prices make me feel I am too!

Lexiguy · December 12, 2021

Hi Michael

Using a Lexus maindealer can be frightening financially but as there are no independent Lexus specialists in my area who would have the knowledge and equipment to look after my car, I elected to grit my teeth and go the maindealer route!

I have not been dissapointed as Lexus Leeds are lovely people to deal with from the top down, infact the General Manager has recently bought a SC430 to prepare for fun times in his retirement.

As I said earlier, Kwikfit was unable to reset the TPMS system but they were happy to reimburse me for the sensor when I returned it to them.

Lexus replaced that sensor amd all seemed OK but on my way home light came back on. I spoke to Danny the service advisor who was apologetic and rebooked the vehicle back in. On that visit they replaced another sensor which was not working properly. There was no charge for that work due to my inconvenience....and you can't say fairer than that.

I have taken a service contract with them and look forward to future visits without trepidation!

So going to a Lexus Dealer may be the best move....it was for me!

Good luck mate, Anthony

Pielight · December 12, 2021

On 12/11/2021 at 9:34 AM, Lexiguy said:

Hi Michael

I had the TPMS light on when I bought my car and needed to resolve the problem.

Despite experiences of TPMS lights giving false indication in cold weather it felt uncomfortable to disconnect the light.

I went to Quikfit who replaced the leaking valve and sensor which I believe cost £80. Unfortunately they were unable to get the sensor to reset the system.

I explained I was going to Lexus Leeds in two days so I would ask them to reset it. Lexus tried but it would not reset until they had replaced the Qwikfit sensor with a Lexus one.

To cut a longer story short I did not have any problems in the last 4 months until the system warned me of low pressure in a rear tyre due to a nail!

I may be a minority but I feel much happier knowing the system works 😀.

I happily drive my second runabout car (civic) which has no TPMS system, but if they failed on my GSF and wife's Renault I would go to considerable lengths to get them put right. It does not feel comfortable to override a significant safety feature (imagine having an accident that would otherwise have been prevented) - perhaps Im even more sensitive to this sort of thing because I've spent 43 years involved with driving trains where once a new safety system is introduced, trains that have been fitted with it must never be permitted to enter service with this isolated even though there are many older trains in regular service without that system fitted. That's just IMHO and I would not criticise an alternative approach as far as TPMS are concerned.

mw430 · December 16, 2021

If I replace a Battery in a sensor I suppose I'm not changing any of the sensor's characteristics...apart from maybe making it work.

If this is correct I should be able to keep away from Lexus software and costs.

Does anyone know if this is the case, please?

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messi · December 18, 2021

Why not disconnect it under the centre console, it's about a 5 min job

Sherra · December 23, 2021

I have recently changed the batteries in all my wheels and had no problems when all were reinstalled. Nothing needed doing at all.

Lexiguy · December 25, 2021

On 12/16/2021 at 12:49 PM, mw430 said:

If I replace a battery in a sensor I suppose I'm not changing any of the sensor's characteristics...apart from maybe making it work.

If this is correct I should be able to keep away from Lexus software and costs.

Does anyone know if this is the case, please?

On 12/16/2021 at 12:49 PM, mw430 said:

Is it possible when the tyres were changed that the wheels we put back on the opposite sides?

I believe the sensors should always remain on the same corner of the vehicle or this will cause the system to believe there is a problem.

Just a thought that will only cost you

Good luck, Anthony

LenT · December 25, 2021

On 12/11/2021 at 8:07 PM, mw430 said:

After 16 years all the batteries are probably on their last legs and Lexus prices make me feel I am too!

TPMS batteries are generally regarded as having up to ten years of life, with the average being about six. So it would seem you’ve been running on borrowed time, anyway.

I’ve seen a Battery replacement video on YT, and I certainly wouldn’t bother to do it. And before you even get to that, you have to remove the tyre!

When a helpful stranger broke one of my valves, a nearby tyre retailer was able to match and fit a replacement valve for £60, so a trip to Lexus doesn’t seem inevitable. And of course if you treat yourself to new tyres at the same time, then you’ll be making the most efficient use of that particular task.

McRattlehead · December 26, 2021

The Battery went in one of my sensors i found a local mobile tyre fitter who could deal with TPMS.I got him to replace all 4 since i reckoned they must all be getting on a bit.He used Autel sensors and had a hand held reader/programmer to clone the existing sensors.

mw430 · April 3, 2022

I've given in and booked it into Lexus ext week for all TPMS sensors to be changed for £410.

I was driven to this because there is so little written on older SC430s sensors that I could feel reliant upon. Was it a US or UK car and what was its age, and add to that the masses of other Lexus car types owners with TPMS problems (or successes) and I just couldn't sort the wheat out from the chaff!

Lexiguy · April 3, 2022

4 hours ago, mw430 said:

I've given in and booked it into Lexus ext week for all TPMS sensors to be changed for £410.

I was driven to this because there is so little written on older SC430s sensors that I could feel reliant upon. Was it a US or UK car and what was its age, and add to that the masses of other Lexus car types owners with TPMS problems (or successes) and I just couldn't sort the wheat out from the chaff!

I hope you are using your Lexus Owners Club Gold Member discount card and you asked them for a good deal as it is an older vehicle.

My local dealer, Lexus Leeds are very accomodating to help in this area

Good luck, Anthony

Malc · April 6, 2022

On 4/3/2022 at 1:39 PM, mw430 said:

I've given in and booked it into Lexus ext week for all TPMS sensors to be changed for £410.

I think you're very brave to be spending all this for an effective " upgrade " that has zero value should your car suffer being a write-off or indeed you ever need replacement tyres again ... but then I do understand, from prior posts on this Forum somewhere, Lexus replace tyres too ( at a premium I'm sure ) BUT will then surely be fully accountable for ensuring continuing good operation of the TPMS

wish you well going forward with all this ... who'd have thought TPMS " servicing " would entail such ludicrous expense eh !

Best wishes

Malc

mw430 · April 15, 2022

My trip to Lexus was a real surprise. They reported that all TPMS sensors were working (transmitting) correctly and had correct Battery voltages. All after 17 years!

So, as they had to do nothing they charged nothing!

LenT · April 15, 2022

2 hours ago, mw430 said:

My trip to Lexus was a real surprise. They reported that all TPMS sensors were working (transmitting) correctly and had correct battery voltages. All after 17 years!

So, as they had to do nothing they charged nothing!

Another example of Lexus excellent customer service. 😊

LenT · April 15, 2022

On 4/6/2022 at 11:45 AM, Malc said:

... but then I do understand, from prior posts on this Forum somewhere, Lexus replace tyres too ( at a premium I'm sure )

I thought so too!

But I happened to ring Lexus MK on another matter, having just had a quote for a new set of tyres from a local dealer I’ve used before. I casually asked if they also retail tyres and a few minutes later they emailed a quote that matched that of the tyre specialist.

I might well have gone with it, except I was also having a set of Alloygators fitted by the tyre specialist. So it’s probably worth asking if you have a good relationship with the dealer.