Tire pressure monitor question

[Norman L.]

The tire pressure monitors on my 2001 Deville were functioning properly until I had the tires rotated a few days at Costco. As soon as drove away the dash indicated "service tire pressure system". I assumed that they tried to set the monitors and they didn't do it properly so went home and tried it myself using the magnet method. The left front wheel chirped but I couldn't get the others to do do. Took it back to Costco and they also use the magnets and they couldn't get all four monitors to work either. I then took it to a Buick dealer who tried as well (assume they used a tech tool) but they said it wouldn't work either.

Can I assume that it is just the batteries in the sensors or possibly something wrong with the system itself? I don't want to shell out an arm and a leg at a dealer for new sensors and then find it is something else. Is there a source for aftermarket sensors?

[Marika]

Most places that install tires will not take any responsibility if they damage the tire pressure sensors. The odds are they broke them somehow. You may have to get the tires dismounted from their rims and check the sensors. If they are in fact broken, you'll have to buy new ones but check to see if the place where they were mounted has a sign stating they are not responsible for damage to the TPS or if you signed anything that clears them of any responsibility.

P.S. My Impala uses a different method for setting up the TPS, it has to do with the key fob. I don't know if this method works with Cadillac but you might try it:

TPMS Sensor Matching Process

Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code. Any time you rotate your vehicle’s tires or replace one or

more of the TPMS sensors, the identification codes will need to be matched to the new tire/wheel position.

The sensors are matched to the tire/wheel positions in the following order: driver side front tire, passenger

side front tire, passenger side rear tire, and driver side rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool. See your

dealer/retailer for service.

The TPMS sensors can also be matched to each tire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing the tire’s

air pressure. If increasing the tire’s air pressure, do not exceed the maximum inflation pressure indicated on

the tire’s sidewall.

To decrease air-pressure out of a tire you can use the pointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style air pressure

gage, or a key. You have two minutes to match the first tire/wheel position, and five minutes overall to match all

four tire/wheel positions. If it takes longer than two minutes, to match the first tire and wheel, or

more than five minutes to match all four tire and wheel positions the matching process stops and you need

to start over.

The TPMS sensor matching process is outlined below:

1. Set the parking brake.

2. Turn the ignition switch to ON/RUN with the

engine off.

3. Press the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter’s

LOCK and UNLOCK buttons at the same time for

approximately five seconds. The horn sounds twice

to signal the receiver is in relearn mode and

TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message displays on the

DIC screen.

4. Start with the driver side front tire.

5. Remove the valve cap from the valve cap stem.

Activate the TPMS sensor by increasing or

decreasing the tire’s air pressure for five seconds,

or until a horn chirp sounds. The horn chirp,

which may take up to 30 seconds to sound,

confirms that the sensor identification code has

been matched to this tire and wheel position.

6. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and

repeat the procedure in Step 5.

7. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and

repeat the procedure in Step 5.

8. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the

procedure in Step 5. The horn sounds two times to

indicate the sensor identification code has been

matched to the driver side rear tire, and the TPMS

sensor matching process is no longer active.

The TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message on the DIC

display screen goes off.

9. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK/OFF.

10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure

level as indicated on the Tire and Loading

Information label.

11. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems.

[KHE]

If the system was working fine before you let Costco change the tires, it is something Costco did. Sounds like the Costco tire monkeys ruined the sensors on all the rims except the left front when they changed the tires... The Buick dealer should have been able to diagnose the problem easily.

[Texas Jim]

there is a good possibility that it is only the right front that is bad.

Since you started at the LEFT front... and it works...then the RIGHT front don't work. If you spend much time on it (the right front) the time limit runs out and you have to start all over.

I went thru the same thing when Discount Tire fixed a slow leak for me. They damaged the sensor. It had to be replaced before everything worked right again.

[Norman L.]

The tire pressure monitors on my 2001 Deville were functioning properly until I had the tires rotated a few days at Costco. As soon as drove away the dash indicated "service tire pressure system". I assumed that they tried to set the monitors and they didn't do it properly so went home and tried it myself using the magnet method. The left front wheel chirped but I couldn't get the others to do do. Took it back to Costco and they also use the magnets and they couldn't get all four monitors to work either. I then took it to a Buick dealer who tried as well (assume they used a tech tool) but they said it wouldn't work either.

Can I assume that it is just the batteries in the sensors or possibly something wrong with the system itself? I don't want to shell out an arm and a leg at a dealer for new sensors and then find it is something else. Is there a source for aftermarket sensors?

Costco didn't do anything except rotate and balance the tires so don't see how they could have damaged the sensors. Any other suggestions?

[JimD]

Costco didn't do anything except rotate and balance the tires so don't see how they could have damaged the sensors. Any other suggestions?

Three suggestions to try:

(I)Use a stronger magnet.

(II)Pop the trunk lid wide open when resetting the TPM system.

(III)Use these instructions:

1) Ignition ON.

2) Press LOCK + UN-LOCK key fob buttons until the horn chirps.

3) Starting with LF tire, hold the magnet against the valve stem

for 3 or 4 seconds until the horn chirps. Then RF, then RR,

then LR. After LR, horn will chirp twice to indicate programming

is complete.

There is a timer running that allows 1 minute between wheels and

5 minutes total elapsed time.

[KHE]

I didn't notice (or it didn't register...) after reading your post that Costco only rotated the tires - I assumed they replaced the tires. I would try a stronger magnet and JimD's suggestions. I still maintain the Buick dealer should have been able to pinpoint the problem.

[johnh28650]

Hey Norman L., any information ur looking for regarding TPMS can be found at whytpms.com . Hope this helps u out a little bit.