Low Tire Indicator

DeeDubya · 08-01-2005, 07:44 AM

My "Check Tire Pressure" indicator came on yesterday when I was making about a 170 mile trip. I stopped and checked the tires and they were OK. I suspect it is because of the aftermarket rims/tires I have.
Does anyone know how this system works? My guess is that it is connected to the ABS and counts/compares wheel revolutions. A low tire would result in a smaller diameter hence the wheel would make more revolutions compared to the others. But, that's just a guess.

m0wens · 08-01-2005, 07:48 AM

It could be a couple of things. One being the BCM. There are some Titan owners here that had to have it replaced. The other thing you could try is having the dealer reset the sensors since you have aftermarket wheels. I to am having the same issue. Mine come on after about 45 minutes of driving on the highway and I think I may have to have my BCM replaced.

DryHeat · 08-01-2005, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeDubya

Does anyone know how this system works? My guess is that it is connected to the ABS and counts/compares wheel revolutions. A low tire would result in a smaller diameter hence the wheel would make more revolutions compared to the others. But, that's just a guess.

There are tire pressure sensors in each rim of the truck. They send data to the remote keyless entry receiver. From there the computer gets the information and if need be (pressure under 28psi), the computer turns on the warning light along with an audible alarm.

scr38 · 08-01-2005, 08:26 AM

If you didn't move the pressure sensors from the stock wheels to the new ones you will have this problem.

DeeDubya · 08-01-2005, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DryHeat

There are tire pressure sensors in each rim of the truck. They send data to the remote keyless entry receiver. From there the computer gets the information and if need be (pressure under 28psi), the computer turns on the warning light along with an audible alarm.

Well then my sensors are history. The dealer did the rim/tire exchange when I bought the truck but never mentioned anything about sensors on the rims.

DeeDubya · 08-01-2005, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scr38

If you didn't move the pressure sensors from the stock wheels to the new ones you will have this problem.

Where are (were) the sensors? Are they incorporated into the valve stem?

rjspitz · 08-01-2005, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeDubya

Where are (were) the sensors? Are they incorporated into the valve stem?

Yes, they are the valve stems.

DryHeat · 08-01-2005, 09:24 AM

Illustration of the sensor and rim attached:

DeeDubya · 08-01-2005, 10:26 AM

Thanks for the help everyone.

Tony@Performance · 08-03-2005, 11:34 AM

we have had issues with the Tire sensors doing this on trucks that have larger wheels/tires, sometimes in certain cases, all the electronics checked out, and we reset everything, but the sensor itself is too far away from the pickup unit, and that can cause the problem.
Most customers decide to just remove them in the end.

m0wens · 08-04-2005, 10:14 AM

Question? If you remove the tire sensors, wouldn't that still cause the tire monitor light to come on after a certain amount of time?

rjspitz · 08-04-2005, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0wens

Question? If you remove the tire sensors, wouldn't that still cause the tire monitor light to come on after a certain amount of time?

Yeah, mine come on after about 2 hours of driving. But no sound, just the light.

DeeDubya · 08-04-2005, 11:13 AM

I suppose it's because of the 22" rims I have. They never come on with normal driving but like rjspitz said they come on after an hour or two on a longer trip. I think I will lower the pressure in a tire and see what happens. It would be nice if they still work. I can deal with the light coming on occasionally.

scr38 · 08-04-2005, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony@Performance

we have had issues with the Tire sensors doing this on trucks that have larger wheels/tires, sometimes in certain cases, all the electronics checked out, and we reset everything, but the sensor itself is too far away from the pickup unit, and that can cause the problem.
Most customers decide to just remove them in the end.

There may be issues with the sensors installed on aftermarket wheels, but it is not due to having larger wheels. The receiver for the sensors is not at each wheel. The Pressure sensors in the wheels transmit a RF signal to a receiver located behind the dash on the passenger side.
The wheel sensors can be damaged if proper tire dis-mounting and mounting is not follower. The tire should be deflated, the nut on the valve stem removed, then the stem/sensor pushed into the tire before the bead is broken. Then break the bead on one side of the tire, push the sidewall down and reach inside the tire to remove the sensor. Mount the tire on the new rim, then push down the bead on one side, reach in and install the sensor.
If this procedure isn't followed the sensor could be damaged and not sent the signal, causing the light.
Also, on many aftermarket wheels, the O ring on the sensor isn't big enough to get a good seal. This needs to be closely looked at, and larger O rings installed if necessary.