Repair Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor (TPMS)

Intro: Repair Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor (TPMS)

Tire pressure monitoring is mandated on all new cars.

These systems are fragile and expensive to repair.

After the tire stem broke off on my 2013 Nissan Altima I make research
for a economical fix.. I was dismayed to find that the tire stem/TPM part for 2013 Nissan Altima costs more than $120. Moreover, the engine computer must be reset to recognized a new sensor, The repair, parts and labor, can cost nearly $250 in Nissan Dealership and $290 in PepBoys. This instructable describes how a repair can be made for less than $15 The sensor and transmitter of the TPM were still good.

All that is needed is to change the broken stem.

Reprogramming the engine computer is therefore avoided.

STEP 1: Step 1

I found that same stem I can buy on Amazon just for $8.10 + free shipping.

In my case it was "Vdo Instruments Se54191 Tpms Rplcmnt Stem Kit Tg1c"

STEP 2: Step 2

• Remove all nuts from stem,
• Keep the TPM sensor in left hand and push stem down by your right hand, (no special tools needed.)

STEP 3: Step 3

• Take new stem and push it up right on this place were was old one.(no special tools needed)

STEP 4: Step 4

• Put all nuts which came with replacement stem Kit, or use old nuts if you want.

STEP 5: Step 5

• Setup the TPM Sensor back to tire.
• Reprogramming the engine computer not needed

You're Done!

You saved $250 - $8.10 - $15 (tire service).= $226.90

Comments

[muzzen]

Hello , How to connect TPMS to phone so you can monitor the pressure using phone?

[TheCoffeeDude]

$45 bucks a pop for my Tundra, IF they can get the parts. Great time and $ saver!

[lance.harper1]

I work for a dealership and I do that a lot of times to customer's cars to save them money only problem I run into is some the stem is built into the sensor

[gravityisweak]

For those of us who are stuck with the stems that aren't replaceable, does anyone know of a good way to trick my car into thinking my sensor is under the proper PSI? Would putting the entire sensor inside a pressurized vessel solve this problem?

[jmervis]

that could be possible but the sensors that read each wheel are proximity based (depending on make and model) I can try at work tomorrow see what happens.

[gravityisweak]

Great, thanks, that would be much appreciated. I wonder what the proximity needs to be. Luckily I think its one of the rear tires. Maybe a piece of PVC with 2 end caps pumped to 40 psi would work? I could store it near the rear tire pretty easily.

[John_the_Builder]

Someone should invent a transmitter, to make the vehicle think that the stems are all operational, so you can pass inspections. There really is no reason why people can't check their own tire pressure once a month without needing a computer to tell them ;-)

[garg11]

All warning lights and messages are buzzer me. I can't drive with them.

[Tom Hargrave]

You left off some important steps that make this impossible for the average car owner.

1. Dismount the tire.
2. Remove the TPMS unit from the wheel.
3. Repair the TPMS (this instructable)
4. Reinstall the TPMS into the wheel.
5. Remount the tire.
6. Balance the tire.

[garg11]

For all your steps we have "Tire Center" , their services were cost $15. All what you need you have take your new stem to "Tire Center" or any other car services around your home.

[Tom Hargrave]

True, and you probably had the spare swapped out & drove the car home to do the work. I commented because I believe the entire process needs to be included in your instructable.

And BTW I'm not bashing you, I believe it's a great write-up. I would not have bothered to comment if I thought otherwise.

[jmervis]

but none the less I like your instructable for the valve stems that can be replaced.

[jmervis]

you need to state that not all tpms valve stems are replaceable. hyundai is notorious for them being one unit. a lot of gm vehicles are the same way.

[becurry]

I have the same issue with my 2008 Altima. And your yearly inspection will not pass as long as there is a warning light on.

Thank you for this info

[seamster]

Nice! This will inevitably come in handy for many, many people. Thanks for sharing this!